I am seeking help choosing tires for my new 18 x 7.5 rims. I know 235/40/18 are stock specs but I was recently told that a ratio of 40 may be small enough to cause damage to the rim in bad road conditions. A tire guy told me to go 235/45/18 or even 235/50/18. Now, I am a total novice but I at least know how to read a tire size calculator to figure out that 235/40/18 matches the stock 215/55/16. Hmm...

I have been given these possibilities so far: Falken Ziex 512, Cooper Zeon ZPT, and more options are being looked into but will need to be ordered since not may 18s are kept in stock. I am not racing, just commuting, and most important to me are treadlife and cost. There is no snow were I am, just rain and hot roads.

Thanks

 

if you hit something hard enough rim damage can and will happen with any tire size. of course the taller the tire 50>45>40.etc. the less likly it is to happen. but I run 235/40/18's on 8in wheel and I have had no problems yet.
did you check out the tirerack?
I got 235/40/18 kumhos for like $104 each and so far they have been great!!

 

Yes, I have checked numerous websites. I think 235/40/18 is the way to go, I just don't know what tipe of tire...if the Falken ZE 512 is rated 360 treadlife and only gets 28K miles does this mean that all tires in the 18 inch variety are going to produce poor treadlife results? Again, I am most concerned with treadlife and price, and I do not necessarily need an A/S.

 

the kumho asx have like a 420 tread wear rating!! and they are cheap!! I've been impressed with them read the rating on tire rack they get very high ratings.
but as a rule 18" tire are going to have poor lifespan

 

Stick with 235/40/18. I've been running 235s and 245s w/ my 18s for years now and I've hit many many nasty potholes in Detroit, NY, and Toronto. No damage yet.

 

Yes, I just decided to go with the 235/40/18 Kumho Ecsta ASX. For $127.00 I couldn't beat that 420 treadwear rating.

Thanks for the input!

 

I think you will really like them!

 

235/40/18....bigger rims = more of a risk of damage...that's the tradeoff.

i'd suggest the Toyo Proxes 4 235/40/18...what I use.

www.edgeracing.com has them for a good price.