will safely fit the 2002 Maxima SE wheels other than the recommended size (225/50-17)? Tires.com also recommends 235/45-17 as an alternative but I read some people indicating it may not be safe to run a size other than the original factory size. Anybody knows why?

 

Use the search function, GimmeTorq. This topic has been beaten to death, especially by me!

But if there's somebody out there who'd like to hear me say it again . . .

 

do a cut and paste job if you have to y2kse, i learned a lot from you and fellow org members.

 

For the benefit of others...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ight=tire+size

http://www.dunloptire.com/tiretech/?...tire_width.txt

So, "For tires with aspect ratio less than 50, the measuring rim is 85% of the section width." and "Within the acceptable range of rim widths, one can select wider or narrower rims than the measuring rim."

So for the factory 225/50-17 tires, the measuring rim is a (225*.85)/25.4 = 7.5 inches width rim. For a 235/45-17, ((235*.85)/25.4 ~ 8.0 inches width rim. I couldn't find what the site refers to as the "T & RA tables".
What would be an "acceptable range of rim widths" for a 235/45-17. Half-inch (7.5 inches rim width minimum)? Is then an inch too much?

 

T & RA stands for the Tire and Rim Association of America. They are the organization that sets standards for tire and rim dimensions in the United States. ALL TIRE COMPANIES SUBSCRIBE TO THE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY THE TIRE AND RIM ASSOCIATION. According to the T & RA, the minimum acceptable rim width for 235/45R17 tires is 7.5".

And yes, an inch is too much.