Guys,

Between these two profiles, if you wanted to have a bit more "comfort" would you choose the wider or skinnier of the two?

I currently have 235/45's and though they're great, i'm still out of spec (speedo) and i'd really like to cushion the ride a bit more. I'm hoping the 245/45's will help a bit.

I've read that wider tires transmit more road feel but also soak up larger bumps better. Skinnier tires, though less road feel (i guess in a way, comfort) it doesn't do as well with larger bumps.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

(p.s. they'll be going on 7.5 or 8" wide wheels, so no issues there)

 

These specs are based on the Avon M550 A/S which are going to be my next set of tires. Read the reviews on Tire Rack.

Stock 215/55/16 revs/mile = 821
Plus 1 235/45/17 revs/mile = 818
That doesn't throw the speedo off much at all, almost unnoticable. Going up to 245/45/17, which I'm thinking of doing also, puts you at 808 Revs/mile. Thats about a 1.6% lower speedo error, which isn't bad at all. It's less then 1mph at 60.

45% of 235 = 105.75mm tire height
45% of 245 = 110.25mm tire height

While being minimum, just about 5mm, I think the larger tire might fill out the wheel wells a bit more. And I do agree that ride comfort should go up ever so slightly because of the additional profile.
More tire = more cushion.

 

Thanks for the response

Actually, my numbers are just slightly different (2k2 Max) since the OEM's were 225/50's but the consensus is the 245/45's will be a much better match to the OEM's than 235/45. I'm just hoping the added width does add to some noticeable level of comfort.

 

235s on 7.5" and 235 or 245s on 8" wide

 

Good advice...

 

If the tire is within spec, what would happen if i put 245's on 7.5"?

Thanks.

 

Tire would be much wider than the rim: potential risk of busting the walls, shifting belt, thread not square on the ground, not the best cornering... Something like that...

 

Thanks. I thought those risks were only if the tire was out of spec?

Looking at my 235's right now the rim is still sticking out so 245's may not be that bad. But we'll see.

 

Considering that many ride on 235s with 7" rim, you still may be OK with 245s on 7.5" rim...

 

it's not recommended by many tire manufacturers but people still do it.

 

Hoping someone can help. I'm looking to get a set of Falken Ziex 912's for a 2001 Maxima SE, with OEM 17" rims. Looking at the Falken site, the OEM spec 225/50R17 have 805 rpm's, and fit 6"-8" wheels. I see that 245/45VR17 tires also have 805 rpm's , and fit a 7.5"-9" wheel. Since the rpm's are the same my speedo would still be accurate, but here's a stupid question since this is my father-in-law's car. What size are the OEM wheels, as I've seen them quoted as 7" and 7.5". And will the extra 2cm cause any fitment issues?

Thanks for any help.