I've been told that if I go wider than stock tires size then I run the risk of disrupting the ABS. I've got 225/50/17 stock and I know several people are running 235/45/17 and 245/45/17, but I am wondering they've had any trouble with the anti lock brake system. I just want to know if this is BS or not. I'm not planning on going huge, probably just plus size one up to 235, but I want to make sure.

 

So, if I move up to the 235/45/17 and keep the stock rims for now, will I have anything to worry about under those circumstances?

 

It's not the width or the weight differences that confuse the ABS as much as if you were to only replace two tires at a time with a different size. That changes the realtionship of front wheel RPM to rear wheel RPM and is interpreted by the ABS as partial lockup on the larger diameter wheels. There is some tolerance built in to account for things like normal tire wear being faster on the front wheels, but you don't want to count on that margin to keep the ABS happy before the new tires even start to wear.

Do yourself a favor and move up to at least 7.5" rims if you go with the 235's, and preferably 8" with 245's. This was a hot topic a couple of months ago including at least one conversation with a tire company representative. The bottom line is that no tire mfr will recommend or approve installing 235/45's or 245/45's on the stock 7"-ers. Period. The technical reasons include things like the location of the flex point in the sidewalls (it moves up/down as you vary the rim width but shouldn't be allowed to move too far) and an additional amount of flexing (read extra heat build-up here) that occurs under normal driving (a consequence of the extra "bulge"). Handling is less precise. I'm also guessing that the tire company might refuse to honor any warranty come-back on the basis of improper installation/use. FWIW, I've also got the 17" tires.

Norm