I've performed a search and turned up a lot of threads concerning plus sizing of tires when going from 15" to 16" to 17" rims. Being that my tire setup is currently 215/55HR16, I was wondering if there would be a significant problem if I went for 215/60HR16's? I only bring this up because I plan on purchasing tires in November and was wondering about going up in aspect ratio, to gain a bit of ride compliance back after having lowered my car.

This 5 unit increase in aspect ratio on a tire which is 215mm wide yields an increase of sidewall height from 118.25mm to 129mm. This results in an outer diameter circumference increase from 2019.73mm to 2087.27mm...an increase of only 3.24%. This doesn't seem like it would equate to much speedometer error to me. After speaking to an employee at the local Town Fair Tire, I was told that doing this would "severely affect the speedo, and confuse the ECU." He went on to mention it's negative effects on the ABS (which I don't have) and how it would "ruin the handling" of my car "completely".

Any opinions or insights?

Thanks
AL


DanNY: Oh and BTW, the flat Continental was a no save. I have a fairly new Bridgestone Turanza sitting in my Dad's garage that I'll put on until November.

 

He's full of it. The circumferance difference will be your speedometer error. If the difference in circumferance is 3.24%, then that's what your speedo will be off. All that other crap about ECU and ride being ruined and such is just hooey.

 

To fatter up your tire with 16's, try 225/55/16. While the aspect ratio is the same, since the tire is wider, you'll have more sidewall.

 

I've had 60 profile tires on those same stock 16" SE rims. But this was on my old 3rd gen. I would not say that my handling was ruined, if at all, it only got better by a bit due to better tires.

However, the car did feel and look a bit more raised.. i was on stock suspension and i felt the difference in height just by sitting in the car.. It also felt slower, probably more due to the weight of the rims.. but i think that the overall turning diameter being bigger definately contributed to that as well.. it's easier to turn a little wheel on a small bicycle than a big wheel on a big bicycle. Same principle applies here.

I got used to it after a little while though.
I don't really see any reason to do this... I think the difference beween a 55 and a 60 profile ride would not be that big.. it does look pretty silly though with those monster truck tires..

Speedometer will be affected.. going 60, you might be off abour 3-4 mph.. speedometer will read 3-4 mph less than the real speed you are going.. so at 60 mph on your speedo, you are probably around 64 or so.. (i think thats the way it works)

but overall
the ride wont be affected too bad at all...

 

I agree here. If your rim can handle this size. Your 6.5 right?

Honestly, going from 55 series to 60 series will not give you much of a softer ride. My guess is that you won't be able to notice. The brand of tire will make a bigger impact than the little more of a side wall, ie: weight, rubber compound etc..

When I went from 205/60 R15 to 235/45 R17 the ride "compliance" was not effected much. So I don't think going to the 60 series will give you want you think it will.

 

I30tMikeD & Voltman: I have the original 5-spoke SE rims. I think that they are 6.5" wide...is this enough to fit 225 width tires?

NYCe MaXiMa: You really think that it would look like a truck tire?

I'm thinking of switching from Continental CH95s to Dunlop SP Sport A2s. Anyone with experience with these?

Thanks
AL

 

here's a few sizes to try:

PLUS ZERO
225/55-16

PLUS ONE
215/50-17
225/50-17
235/45-17

PLUS TWO
215/45-18
225/40-18
235/40-18

PLUS THREE
235/35-19

Jae

 

My opinion (and some facts):

225s will fit. I run 225-50-16s on my 16" SE rims. Look good, look meaty, grip well.

I would go DOWN in aspect ratio, rather than up, only b/c the smaller diameter will help with power, while a higher ration will actually HURT your power.

Also, the SP Sport A2s are gettign good reviews. Check out tirerack.com for the best pricing. Most national chanis (Sears, NTB) will match the tirerack price with no waiting to ship.

Also, check out Sumitomo HTR+ and HTR II. I got my HTR+ tires for around $350 (with the price-match), mounted, lifetime balanced, with lifetime road hazard, at Sears.

 

Yup, you should be fine.

 

ThurzNite:
I will consider the Plus Zero configuration of 225/55R16. I live in New England, so I do worry about how a wider tire will affect my winter driving.

phenryiv1:
I read all the reviews on TireRack.com dating back to January of this year and it seems as though there two extremes. I'm not sure who to believe. Some say the wet traction and snow traction are great, others say that it is horrible. It does have the highest ratings on the 1-10 scale for those selections.
Are you sure that Sears will match the price on ANY tire? I was always under the assumption that they only carry certain brands. I will go check them out in November.

Thanks again fellas,
AL

 

defintely call around if you know what tire you want. Then play the companies against each other "i just called XXX company and they had the tire for $YYY out the door. Can you do better than that?"
I had Dunlop D60/A2 on my 93 Altima 5sp and they were great for autox.
My bro's 93 Max 5sp also have them. Pretty good for spirited driving, but nothing I'd take to the road course. In rain, they kick arsh and I'm pretty sure they're fine for snow, but not too much off roading.

Bang for buck, they're great. But I dunno much about snow tires. Sorry.

Jae

 

well, not necessarily like a truck.. but still too beefy looking for a max in my eyes I think 55 is fine. if you want more traction or sidewall, get the 225 width.. they'd maintain the same profile of the tire but look wider and more aggressive..

Dunlop Sport A2s are excellent tires..
I got them from tirerack a while ago when barely anyone had them. They had just came out and they are replacing the Dunlop Sport D60 tires which were rated or considered the best high performance all season tires.. as well as best selling.
These are supposed to be improved..

I have them on 2k1 16 x 6.5" GLE/SE wheels in 215/55/16.. stock size..
These tires are amazing. They have more than satisfied my needs. They are amazingly quiet, traction is excellent in the dry and in the rain, even if you drive aggressive.. I'm sure they are some of the best all season performance tires.. If they made them in 17" size, I'd get them put on 17s which i'll be getting soon.

Just search the org for Dunlop Sport A2s, you'll see nothing but excellent reviews from fellow members.. lots of people have them now

 

nm

 

I am sure the Dunlops are good tires.
But I have to mention the Bridgestone Potenza RE 950's. I swear by them. I could go into a long detailed explaination. If you want to know details on the 950 do a search. I have posted about them many times.

 

you will get better ride comfort with a 215/60hr16 but you will lose a little handling, steering response. ( i stress a little). if you still want a 55 series tire but want more rubber on the road then the 225/55hr16 would be good.

when buying a tire just consider the various tires sizes that were stock on a 4th gen maxima.
205/65r15 = 25.492 in tire
215/60r15 = 25.157 in tire
215/55r16 = 25.311 in tire

tty this http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html website

 

Check the tire manufacturer's website. It should tell you what width rim the tire is rated for.