I'm thinking of replacing the stock RE92s on my 2K SE after 26,000 miles. Even though I could probably still get at least 10,000 more miles out of them (most of my miles are on the highway), their wet performance is getting worse and worse to the point where, no matter how gently I feather the clutch, I simply cannot launch without spinning the wheels if I'm stopped on anything more than a shallow uphill grade in wet weather. Plus, this gives me an excuse to get new wheels so I can put on wider tires.

I'm considering upgrading to 245/45-17 Sumitomo HTR Z II tires on 17x8 Borbet Type T wheels for spring/summer/fall use. I want to go with the 245/45s instead of 235/45s because, besides the additional width, the 245/45s are closer in overall diameter to the stock 225/50s than the 235/45s are (0.7% vs. 2.1% difference, respectively). I'd also imagine that the 245/45 would fill the wheel well better than the 235/45.

Would anyone else who has 245/45-17s mounted on their car care to share their impressions of how well that size has been working out for them? Any problems with rubbing? From searching the forums, it seems like most people go with 235/45-17 over 245/45-17; any particular reason why?

Thanks for your help!

Marc

 

Best guess is that most of the people running 235/45R17 tires are mounting them on their OEM 7.0" wide rims. Now these people, by definition, aren't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. They figure that the 7.5" minimum acceptable rim width for a 235/45R17 tire is somehow different than the 7.5" minimum acceptable rim width for a 245/45R17 tire. Believe it or not, I've actually seen posts where people running 235/45R17 tires on their OEM rims advise others NOT to run 245/45R17 tires on the same rims because the 245/45s are too wide for the rims. Incredible!

I haven't heard of anyone having a rubbing problem running 245/45R17 tires on 8.0" wide rims.

 

Has anyone running 235/45/17 on 7" rims actually have any problems? I know they are out of spec but I'm just wondering if anyone has had a problem yet.

 

I don't have that information, caper. I simply take the tire manufacturer's word that they know what is and is not safe with respect to their tires. Given the fact that NO tire manufacturer will approve the use of their 235/45R17 tires on 7.0" wide rims and applying the premise that no one in their right mind would compromise the safety of their tires, I'd suggest you do the same.

On the other hand, you can always join that hearty band of the mentally challenged . . .

And if you should decide to go with 235/45R17 tires on 7.0" wide rims, why not go with 245/45R17 tires instead. Or could you also be of the opinion that 7.5" isn't 7.5"?

 

Thanks for the input.

Marc

 

I changed my wheels and tires to what's listed in my sig below two months ago. No rubbing at all; on sharp turns, or traveling with 4 people and luggage. Huge handling improvement over the stock tires, especially in the rain. Much better in the looks department, fill up the wheel wells nicely.

 

No problems, I was at NE Meet @ Woodbury, when I decided to turn two concrete islands into an AutoX session.

Toyo Proxes FZ4 235/45R17 on Factory 17s. No problems.
I have 245/45R17 Toyo T1S on 17x9 R33 wheels. I rub occassionally.
Awaiting Buddy Club 17x8s which weigh 13.5lbs each.

Honestly wouldn't push 245 on factory 17s, but the funny thing is that my wheel caliper measured 8.0" when I was balancing my rims, and my R33 wheels were 9.5", so I say 17x7 OE wheels are ok w/ 235/45R17, but wouldn't push 235 on aftermarket 7.0" wheels or 245 on factory 17s.

-Peace

 

So then you're also of the opinion that 7.5" isn't 7.5", ChimpDJ? If it really is true that our rims measure 8.0" wide, why on earth would you NOT recommend mounting 245/45 tires on them?



BTW, I just happen to have a spare OEM rim, and I just measured it. From the INSIDE of the outer lip to the INSIDE of the inner lip, the rim measures 7.0". However, from the OUTSIDE of the outer lip to the OUTSIDE of the inner lip, it measures 8.0". Unfortunately, I believe it's the inner measurement rather than the outer measurement that counts when measuring rim width. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Don't put words in my mouth or try to manipulate what I wrote. I just gave facts on what I know, and ultimately its the owners decision to mount 235/45R17s on their factory 17s.

I did mount a 245/45R17 on a spare set of 17s, but honestly you can see the sidewall /tread w/ an unnatural looking arch to it.

I never directly said it or intended it to be written that way.
All I'm saying is that my factory 17x7.0 is wider than other aftermarket 7.0" wide wheels.

8.0" wide from end to end, but from bead to bead is 7.0" that is the "true" measurement, but then my R33 wheels would be 17x8.5". there, Damm U Nissan.

-Assumptions are the Mother of All F*ck Ups.

 

I couldn't agree with you more!

 

 

I have had Potenza 730 245/45-17's on my car for 15,000 miles. No problems at all and the handling improvement was huge.

 

I didn't notice that you have aftermarket rims, so I'm assuming you're running the 245/45R17s on your OEM rims. I'm not concerned about that so long as you made your decision in full possession of the facts. Unfortunately, many people come to this forum and, persuaded by what others suggest or have done, make decisions about tire and rim combinations WITHOUT full possession of the facts. My position is simply to acquaint them with those facts . . . nothing more.

So then what is the pertinent fact? Here it is: No tire manufacturer in the world that manufactures 235/45R17 or 245/45R17 tires will recommend running those tires on 7.0"-wide rims. Regardless of what anyone says . . . and by anyone I specifically INCLUDE contributors to this forum as well as every tire dealer in the world . . . that statement simply cannot be refuted. For those who wish to run tire and rim combinations that are not recommended by the manufacturer of their tires, my reply is simple. Good luck!

PS: I'm pleased to see that at least in your case, hawkdog, 7.5" really IS 7.5".

 

Marc,

After I verified (brain fart) that I have 17 X 8 rims I can now comment on your thread.

I have Konig Verdicts 17 X 8 with Toyo Proxes 245/45/17. I like the more aggresive stance (purely visual)

I have no rubbing, but the car tend to follow "road ruts" a bit more. Dry handling is awesome as I like to hear the hollow howl as I whip around a corner. Tread wear seems good.

As for inclement weather...its a different story. I have found I lost a bit o traction and it tends to "skate" a bit more on rainy days. As this is a tire or dimention issue, I cannot tell you. But it tends to be a bit disturbing at times.

Last issue is that they tend to be a pain to balance as I alway have to go back a second time to get it to go away. Whether or not that is a service issue or not...?

Good luck on your decision.

 

Damn straight y2kse. And my woman can back that up too.

But seriously, I do have the stock rims, and I've taken the car to its limit numerous times (I autocross it) and I've never had any problems at all with the tires.

 

Brightest Bulbs.. Have you seen some of these threads ?

 

The operative word is . . . yet! Considering how bad the "problems" might be when they occur, I hope you never have to experience them.

 

Thanks again to all who've responded. (Somehow I had a feeling that the subject of 235s on the stock wheels would come up again...oh well. )

Now I have another question. I went ahead and placed an order for 245/45YR17 Bridgestone Potenza S-03s mounted on 17x8 Borbet Type E wheels (35mm offset) from the Tire Rack just now. The sales guy at Tire Rack suggested 235/45s; when I said I wanted 245/45s, he seemed to think that they would stick out of the wheel wells. Based on my research and the feedback I've gotten here, I don't think this will be a problem, and I went with the 245/45s. Is there any validity at all to the salesman's claim?

Marc

 

I've never heard of that being a problem, Marc. But I'd prefer to let some of the guys that are running 245/45R17s answer that question.

 

I have the stock rims and the 245/45-17's do stick out a little bit past the edge of the rim, but aren't even close to going out past the wheel wells. As a matter of fact I was considering putting spacers in there for awhile to get them to be more flush with the wheel wells.

 

Ditto here, 245/45R17 S-03's on 17x8's.. no rubbing, just the holy $hit! look on my passenger's faces when I fly around select ramps in my area

 

Jer,

Thanks for the info. What kind of wheels are you running on, and would you happen to know their offset?

Marc

 

Actually, I have no idea on their offset lol... I completely forgot to ask (I just found the wheel and called around - telling them it was for my max). But it's a CSA Gladiator : looks like a MM Evo, but without the little bolt-hole things next to each spoke

I prefer the sleeper look

Jer
...picking up his blower on the 24th (no, not the wifey)

 

Marc, on my wheels the offset is 40. On the fronts the tires are at the wheel lip. On the back they are set in the wheel well more, about 1/2" room to the lip. On another note, if you don't have the splash guards, you're going to need them. The S03's put a little over 9" of tread on the road.

 

Thanks kwd2kSE. Since my offset will be 35mm, I expect that my tires will be located about 5mm farther outboard than yours are. And yes, I do have the splash guards.

Marc

 

I just bought my 2K about 1 month ago.
It came with a new set of 245/45/17, Toyo Proxies on it, and I can confirm that they guy I bought the car from perhaps wasn't the "quickest bunny in the forest".

Nevertheless I have had noticeable problems whatsoever. (yet?)
When I look at how far the tires stick out past the rims; it looks rather normal to me - although I admit I don't have much to compare it to. (there aren't a lot of Maxima's driving around Detroit)

When it comes time to replace them - I'll probably go back to the stock size - but just mostly because I'm a cheap bastard!