Would it be ok to put 235/40 17" tire on a 17x8 wheel? Seems like everyone is putting 235/45's but the tire i want doesnt have that size.

 

I have Dunlop SP 5000's in 245/45/17's they are some wide suckers.

 

No. And in your case, it has nothing to do with rim width. Now it's up to you to find out what the problem is. You can start by looking at Page 3 of the FAQs under the discussion of whether you can run oversize tires on your OEM rims. Take each factor listed there and compare them to the specs for the 235/40R17 tire you're considering. Then come back and tell us why that size tire is not recommended for a 5th Gen Maxima with 17x8 wheels.

PS: When it comes to selecting tires, what you don't know could kill you!

 

a link to remember:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

I believe OEM wheels are 17 X 7" which you couldn't run the 235/40 on, but assuming the tire has the proper load rating then likely the major difference would be in the speedometer error, correct? Not sure if that is something you'd want to overlook but at least its not a direct safety issue such as too wide or narrow a rim.

 

I was hoping we could get Lou to do the work. But you've pretty much hit the nail on the head, srbarnes4ever. In researching 235/40R17 tires, the highest load rating I could find was a 90. The lowest load rating listed on page 10-9 of the 2K/2K1 owners manual is a 91. So 235/40R17 tires are not acceptable because their load rating is unacceptably low.

Then, of course, there's the problem of speedometer error. The maximum suggested error is 3%. When comparing the OEM tire size of 225/50R17 to 235/40R17, the error is 5.6% . . . almost twice the recommended maximum.

So the 235/40R17 tire is NOT recommended for use on a 5th Gen Maxima.

 

Y2kse, any chance (based on Norm Peterson's response elsewhere) that increasing tire pressure would make moot the load rating issue here? Then it'd be up to the owner to decide if they want to deal with the 5.6% speedo error.

LouE37 -- which tire are you trying to get that you could not find in 235/45 size? Perhaps there are other options in this size that would work as well and likely be more cost effective at this aspect ratio.

 

I was looking to get some Nitto 450 Extremes since i had them on my old car and loved them. But they dont seem to have 235/45 size. Im dead set on getting some mille miglia evo 5 rims in either 17x8 or 17x7 so i guess ill have to find another tire...thanks for the help though...im a liitle bummed!

 

Cool, no prob. here. Speaking of Milli Miglias...I just ordered me a set of 18 X 8s today...should be here next week with 235/40 Pilot Sport A/S mounted. I didn't get the Evo 5s, I'll keep it a secret til they arrive and I can post pics.....

 

and still want to get the 450's, why not go with a 255/50 17? Specs at nittotire.com seem to indicate the rim width is fine and the load rating is more that adequate...even the overall diameter is not hugely different than the 235/40 would have been...(4/10 inch)...

 

In the case of 235/40R17s, it's better than nothing, sbarnes4ever. But overinflating tires is not really recommended. For the reasons why, see my response to Norm's post on Page 7 of this thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=116163

 

I usually run my tires for street use at 30 - 32 front and 32 -34 rear to aid (however slightly) in reducing understeer on my front drivers. When a tire has a range of PSI indicating well above manufacturer specs for a maximum pressure, what is the benefit of the large range if you are in fact losing tread contact on the corners. By the way aren't the shoulders doing a ton of the work in spirited driving?

 

Check it out, srbarnes4ever:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...l#maxinflation

 

Good read there, thanks for the link! By the way, its Stevie B. srbarnes4ever seems so long and impersonal. Again thanks!

 

should be alright but if ya got nice rims you better avoid potholes at all costs......unless you don't mind having bent rims

 

Roger that, Stevie!

 

...Post some pics of your MM evos when you are done... Man I love those rims... They have to be some of the toughest looking 5-points out there. Good choice...

 

No problem. I actually just ordered them today. I ended up getting 17x7 Evos in silver. They will be in next week and i cant wait. I was gonna go with Nitto 450's for rubber but im gonna look around and explore my options. If anybody has any suggestions then let me know...peace!

 

Hi Lou -

I'll give you a break and assume as a Newbie that you didn't know how to access the FAQs before you purchased your rims. But unless your heart is set on running the OEM tire size of 225/50R17, you may have made an error in your rim selection. Assuming the offset was OK, you should probably have purchased the Evos in 17x8 rather than 17x7. At that point, you could have chosen 235/45R17s or 245/45R17s and availed yourself of a much broader selection of high performance tires with geometries and specifications closely matching the 225/50R17s. Unfortunately, the 17x7 Evos really limit your tire choices if you want to stay in spec.

Do yourselves a favor, folks. If you're going to purchase aftermarket rims, make sure they're at least 7.5 inches wide.

y2kse

 

Honestly I just wanted a nice rim that was somewhat unique in my part of town and some nice tires. Choosing the best rim size and the best tires is not a concern as long as they look nice and dont blow up on me. Im not gonna be racing or anything like that...just sick of my nasty looking GXE rims and looking for a little nicer look...i do appreciate the knowledge though.

 

with y2kse, and believe me I do not say that very often, but is has been posting or tires since they were made out of wood, and he has done a ton of research. Is it possible to get out of the 17X7 deal? and upsize to 17X8 or even better 18X8. If not oh well you are correct that they look so much better than your stock GXE rims.

 

I love my Nittos.... Smooth ride. I had Kuhmos before and they were CRAP! Go with the NT 450- I got the V Rated for extra smoothness- a little squeaky on a 35-45 MPH bend, but overall I'm pleased

 

Before i bought my Max i had a 92' Eclipse with the nitto 450's and i loved them. They had a very nice look and they were tough as nails. I think i will keep my business with Nitto once again.

 

Thanks, Blackgums100.

 

Oh well...im sure they will look good. Ill have to send you some pics when they go on and let you take a look at them.

 

Hell yeah, they will make your car look so much better.