My gf has decided on an 06 tc. My question now is can I get away with running a smaller wheel than the stock 17". I know people are going to question my motives, but I live in a section of the US where the potholes are insane and I don't feel like replacing the stockers every time she tanks it in a pothole. I also don't feel like paying 180-200 bucks a piece for winter tires that fit that size.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what kind of wheels I can use for this? I was looking at some 16" off a Celica GT-S. Has anyone tried this? I realize that I can't use the same tires as the celica's 205/50 but instead need a 205/55 or a 225/50 to keep the same diameter and rolling distance (old DSM knowledge).

Also, with this change in tires, am I going to have to have the ECU or anything reflashed for it to work. I couldn't find anything on the tc having a traction control unit or anything that precalculates the size of the wheels for the spedo that would go nuts if you changed the wheels. I'm on old DSM (92 Talon Tsi AWD) guy and I'm not used to worrying about this kind of stuff when I change things on my car.

I apologize if any of these questions were answered somewhere else already. I tried using the search engine on here and came up with nothing. I've got a lot to learn about these cars.

 

moved....

 

A smaller wheel might look a little funy but where you are coming from with the potholes/tire issues that you may run into a smaller wheel would be ideal to save money on tires and so forth....But if you go with a smaller wheel you better lower the s*** out of the car to take awa that wheel gap..lol

 

the wheel gap should be the same....

if you go with a smaller rim 16"
the sidewall will be bigger and still maintain the gap...

 

id call tire rack and see what you can run with

 

Not on a tc but on an xb.....
I did not like the harsh ride with the 185x60-15" stock tires, so I traded with a friend who has a corolla for his 14" rims and tires. The 175x65-14's were almost 3/4" shorter than the stockers, so I moved up to 195x65-14 B.F.G's. Extremely nice ride now!!! Of course I'm an old fart so I was looking at it from a diff perspective that you, but it can be done no problem. I would say 16's or even 15's would work, just go up enough on the aspect ratio to keep the rolling radius the same. I don't think you will have to worry about changing anything in the computer(if you even could).

Walt

 

Tire rack tells me that it is illegal for me to run anything smaller than the stock wheel (at least that is what they are telling me about PA law). The dealer tells me the same thing and even tried to scare me with the whole, "it will void your warranty" speech. I'm personally mot buying it and if I have to, I'll just put the OEM wheels back on before taking it in for service.

I've searched around and everywhere I look the bolt pattern and the offset for the rims on a Celica and the tc are the same. My next question is does anyone know if they use the same size lugs and same style lug nuts. I ran into this with putting wheels on my dad's 98 F-150 from a 01 Navigator. The bolt pattern and offset are the same, but they used different size studs and it made things a mess. Just wondering if I'll run into any problems like this with the tc.

 

Update, I talked to the dealer and they say I can get away with a 16" wheel without worrying about any complications. Their only concern is what it will do to the warranty. They are calling headquarters to see what they can find out and I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear back from them.