Are you happy with your STOCK wheels and tires?

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Feb 17, 2004 | 05:07 PM

#21

Subcompact Culture

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Posts: 1,974

From: Portland, OR

Re: may be on to something

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djuan

I wonder if going the opposite, maybe like 185/65/15 makes a difference... somehow I can't see it doing much, maybe making it 215/65/15 or something of the sort ? Comments... anyone anyone ?

I wouln't run a 215/65/15. You'll see why after a quick review about reading tires sidewalls.

215 = millimeters
This is the width of your tire

65 = sidewall measurement which is the percent of the width (65% of 215 mm)

15 = inner radius in inches

So, to make some sense out of this, a 185/65/15 has 120.25 mm sidewalls (185 x 65% = 120.25)

A 215/65/15 is going to have a sidewall that's 139.75 mm and will A) mess up your speedometer by 6.3% (too slow) and B)give you the appearence of really fat sidewalls, which is probably not what you'd want.

Having a taller sidewall usually means that your handling will decrease because the sidewall is flexing more.

Now, if you wanted to run a 205/60/15 you'll get a wider foot print, retain a fairly low sidewall, and you're speedometer will only be 0.9% off (if you're going 60 mph, your speedo will read 60.5 mph).

A simple tool for calculating this stuff is here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Feb 18, 2004 | 07:28 AM

#22

Djuan

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Scion Evolution

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Posts: 575

From: Los Angeles

thanks

now thats an answer... everyone else take note ! ahahhaaa... thanks... I was thinking that big fat sidewalls would be a look, but the way I take corners I don't think I could sacrifice the handling. I was wondering if the width would compensate. I was just thinking hypothetically to smooth out the ride, and make for carrying a heavier load in my xB....

Feb 18, 2004 | 10:54 AM

#23

Bicepeak

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From: Queen Creek, AZ

Re: may be on to something

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sushiboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djuan

I wonder if going the opposite, maybe like 185/65/15 makes a difference... somehow I can't see it doing much, maybe making it 215/65/15 or something of the sort ? Comments... anyone anyone ?

Wow...great info! Will the wider tire affect gas mileage much, do you think?

I am seriously thinking about changing to a wider tread.

Sean

Feb 18, 2004 | 10:56 AM

#24

Bicepeak

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From: Queen Creek, AZ

oops forgot to ask....this will work with stock rims right?

Sean

Feb 18, 2004 | 03:47 PM

#25

Subcompact Culture

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From: Portland, OR

Yes, a wider tire will effect gas milage. Probably not a ton, but it will (more rolling resistance).

Feb 18, 2004 | 03:49 PM

#26

jackmott

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From: Houston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bicepeak

oops forgot to ask....this will work with stock rims right?

Sean

205s will fit on the stock rims, but will not offer optimum performance since the tire will be deformed slightly from the bulging sidewall.

Feb 18, 2004 | 09:04 PM

#27

rustedborg

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Posts: 95

From: Cincinnati, OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardinal_Fang

Once again, whether or not you like the stock wheels and tires depends on what you're used to. I had 14" wheels on my Corolla (and have driven econo-boxes in the past that ran on 13's!) so the 15" stock wheels look HUGE to me....Jeez, the last vehicle I owned that had wheels that big was a 4WD Mitsubishi Montero.

I plan to keep the stock wheels and tires until I need to replace the tires anyway; and at that point, will re-examine my willingness to shell out an additional $800 or so for what amounts to a cosmetic upgrade.

C.F.

Koool ... hey, aren't you the same guy who suggested in an earlier thread on stock tires putting huge wheels and tires on an xA and making the worlds smallest monster truck?

I guess I'm just going to have to wait until my dealer has xAs with multiple wheel/tire sizes available for test drives. As much as I like the look of 17s or 18s, the quality of the ride is more important to me than the look of the wheels.