So how exactly bad are we talking about here? Most of the tire manufactures I've seen recommend at least a 7.5 wide rim for their 235/45/17....but many members on the org run them...no problems...so whats the real story behind this? I wanna hear both sides of the story so I can make an educated decision...and please, people who have EXPERIENCE with them...not becuz "he/she said so, oh becuz they said so" etc...

Btw, the maxima will be stock...suspension wise...if anything, I'll prob lower the car by like 1 inch (maxspeed drop)...I don't plan to take twisties through the canyons...maybe occassional mildly hard turn through the city...but nothing too crazy...hows rubbing with these tires on stock rims? A detailed informed response would be great!

 

Hi steven88,

I purchased my 2000 Maxima SE (with the factory 17" -6 spoke wheels) New in 8/99. after wearing out the stock set of tires I switched to the Nitto 550 & 555 series tires(sized 245/50 ZR17). I have been running this size and brand tire for at least 5 years now(4 sets) without any rubbing or issues.

I am no track hound, but like you said... I also enjoy taking some corners fast when the opportunity presents itself . These tires worked great! I had a peticular s-turn by my old house that I used to take as fast as I could(roughly 85mph) without losing control (came close a few times...LOL). After getting the Nittos I increased my speed by 10-12mph consistantly .

I also want to assure you... My wheels and suspension are all STILL the ORIGINAL STOCK parts that came on the car 182,000 miles ago! The car still rides well, but I have noticed the suspension has gotten soft in the last month. So I just ordered a whole new suspension mod yesterday....Tokico Illumina shocks, Tein H-Techs springs, Stillen anti-sway bar, and Stillen front and rear strut braces... I can't wait to feel the difference! Night and Day, I'm sure.

I hope this info helps you

Good luck
Chris

 

In my four years as a member, I have only heard of one incident where a 235/45R17 tire rolled off a 7" rim in a hard turn. That particular member claimed he saw it happen, and not second hand info.

So, considering how many miles many of us with off spec 235/45R17 tires on OEM rims have put on collectively, I say the risk is minimal as long as you keep the tires properly inflated.

 

hey, are you running 235/45/17? thanks for the info about the member...how do you like your ride if u do run 235/45/17?

 

thanks for the info....but i think 245/50/17 is waaay to wide for my taste....if anything, i'd put 245/45/17....50 is too thick!

 

Been using 235/45/17's on stock rims for YEARS with no problems. Thats also slammed on D2's taking hard turns.

Two sets of Nokian snows, and a set of Conti Extreme Contacts all in 235/45/17, I will never go back to a 225/50/17...

Dont you have 18's? Or are they not going on your Max...

 

Everyone uses 235/45/17 on their factory wheels, but why not 235/50? That is the closest to keeping the stock rolling diameter, and keeps the speedometer as accurately as possible. My search only yielded that people think 50 series will have a tall tire wall. But the 235/50/17 has actually less tire wall than the stock tires.

 

hit me up on aim. i used to have a set.

 

Thats not possible...


it is actually .2" taller... A 235/45/17 has a sidewall that is .2" shorter than stock.

 

Keep in mind my car comes with 215/55/17, and compared with 235/50/17 here:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

My stock sidewall is 4.7, 235/50 is 4.6. But I guess my mistake was forgetting that Maximas come with 225/50/17 right? In such a case, 235/50 has a higher sidewall of 0.2".

 

thanks for the response...what brand tires are you running? and how is the rubbing with the 17x7 with 235?

 

No rubbing at all, as I said I have been SLAMMED on my D2's. I am currently running the Conti Extreme Contacts.

 

nice, I won't be nowhere near as close to you then...i'm most likely going to be on stock springs...and if anything lower, it will only be a minimal drop like a maxspeeds...thanks for the reassurance that stock rims with 235 wide tires, will fit, even if your slammed!

 

My summer set is 235/45R17 Fuzion ZRi on the OEM rims. Other than the difference between the crapenzas and the ZRis, the size itself made no difference. The real difference was made by the better gripping tire. The gap is really what bothers me the most, but I'll take care of that when the shocks go.

 

Nice...The reason why I bring this thread up...I'm torn between buying the General Exclaim UHP or the Kumho SPT...the problem is, General doesn't come in 225/50/17 (stock tire size)....the closest is 235/45/17...originally i wanted to stay with the stock tire size, becuz I didn't want any trouble...but now that alot of people are chiming in, I feel like its a safe bet to go 235/45/17

Btw, General UHP in 235/45/17 is only $76/tire + shipping...while 225/50/17 Kumho SPT is $98/tire + shipping....Kumho SPT do offer a 235/45/17 configuration...that one is $89 + shipping...General still seems alot cheaper for what you're getting...the reviews don't lie either...I'd definitely try out the UHP becuz they are rated #1 on tirerack...while Kumho SPT is rated #9

 

Sorry Steve

I made a type-o. The Nittos are 245/45 17's... not 50's. Sorry!

Good luck what ever you choose

Chris

 

I'm, personally, against running 235/45 tires on 7 inch wide rims simply because it's not recommended by most manufacturer. I don't really have any real evidence though. Not sure if the tires you have in mind have a stiff or soft side wall, but I would be especially worried if the tires had a soft sidewall, like Toyo Proxes 4 or Falken 512.

Also, if you ganna get 235/45-17, make sure you keep them at higher than manufacturer recommended PSI (I'd say at least 36) and check your tire pressure at least every week.

 

The more miles I put on the 235/45s, the more I think it's the manufacturer's legal department that recommends the rim range and not the engineering department (within reason of course).

 

i ran those 235 45 17 on the stock maxima rims on tein s and it was fine...no problems

 

Steven, here is some (long) reading, if you haven't seen these yet. There was a lot of discussion, mostly against (y2kse one of them) and RsMaxMaggie's post and his rationale. I am still looking for the post from the guy who claimed seeing a failure, but that's a needle in a haystack for me...

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?postid=1022066
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=123257
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...3&postcount=17

and my favorite, y2kse's reversal thread.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=180710

EDIT: Here's the needle. The only claim of an off spec tire rolling of a rim.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=279273

 

Add yet another 235/45 on stock 17's. I've been running them for about a year now with no problems what so ever. I drive pretty much the same way you do. There are a few spots on my way home with some nice turns that I like to push it a bit and the tires have held up great. I'm running Cooper Zeon 2XS.

 

so whats the final verdict? go for it?

 

If the slight gap increase doesn't bother you, I say so. More choices and in many cases cheaper than stock size. Do you have any brand in mind?

 

Yes, go for it.

 

naw, the apperance of the vehicle won't bother me...and besides, i've seen the 235/45/17 setup on a stock rimed maxima in person...and it didn't look all that bad? and even in various pictures on the org...

oh btw, hows the ride on 235/45 versus 225/50? I know its slightly shorter sidewall...also, you guys mention i have to keep lots of air in it? exactly how much are we talking about...cuz the brand i'm going with has a max psi of 51

I'm planning to go with General Exclaim UHP...they are DIRT CHEAP! and they are #1 on tire rack for awhile now....the reviews can't go wrong...

 

I keep mine at about 36psi in the front, and 34psi in the rear. The max psi on my contis is I think 45psi.

 

So with my Generals, I should be putting in somewhere along 40-45psi? Max is 51

Sorry for the newbie ish question...but why would increasing psi prevent the tire from rolling off the rim?

 

Start with something like 40, and if that will turn out to be too stiff, go down to 36. Increase the pressure if the car feels sloppy. (again, I don't recommend running anything less than 35psi if you ganna buy 235/45-17)

You can also determine the best tire pressure (for handling/ not the best for every day use) by drawing a line with a piece of chock across the thread and the sidewall. Than go out an take a few corners as fast as your car can handle (please, don't do it on public streets ) If the chock gets erased from the sidewalls than your pressure is too low for optimal handling. If the chock does not get fully erased from the thread than the pressure is too high.

Tires with higher pressure will flex much less under heavy cornering loads and will "stay" where they are supposed to be, on the rims. Well, at least that's the way I understand it.

Think of two extreme cases, running 100% rigid tires and running flat tires. In which case are the tires more likely to roll of the rim?

 

I've had the crapenzas and 512 in 225/50 and the Fuzions in 235/45. With the crapenzas and the Fuzions, the car was/is stable, meaning not "sloppy" (just their limits are, let's say, opposites...). As you know, I don't count my experience with the 512s, which was "disappointing" even at 47/48 psi. I ran the crapenzas at around 36 psi and the ZRis at 37-40 psi. The ride is "stout" and sure footed.

I wouldn't put all my faith on online reviews. I got burned with the Falkens before where the reviews were like 10 to 1 in favor at 1010tires.com and Consumer Reports had them as a "best buy". I suggest you get the Grals locally and get a money back guarantee to cover you back.

 

i totally agree with you on this...i know becuz I bought the pzero nero M&S after reading great reviews on tirerack...and they turned out disappointing to my standards....

but as far as the Generals go, i'm not concerned about performance anymore...well, I just want a "nice" overall good quality tire thats cheap....and it seems like General is offering that...it's not like i'mma take twisties in these tires...just something to daily in...at $76/tire, u can't go wrong!

 

what about 235-50-17 on a stock 02 rim? any one have pics?

 

Hey guys,

I also have more questions than answers

Isn't a 245/45/17 closer in height to the stock tires than the 235/45? I only saw one person in this tread that uses this size. Don't they fir better?
Thanks

 

it's definitely closer...but too un-safe to run on a 7 inch wide rim...235 is already pushing it...

 

so 235 on a stock 02 rim is that pushing it ? Im thinking of getting it on for my tires but still dont know? your input would be appreciated thankz

 

Here's a clue. Start reading THIS thread for the answers.