Different 17" tires sizes used

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:51 am

I know that there is a standard 17" size from the factory (215/50/17). I was just wondering what were some different sizes out there that everyone has used with success. I don't want to get too radical, just something with good performance and tire wear. Any suggestions?

Whelan · Post by **Whelan** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:51 am

A lot of people go for a 215/45/17 225/45/17 or a 225/40/17. They like the lower profile look. However you do sacrifice ride quality with a lower pro tire. If the car is lowered it helps the look, but if not, you can show A LOT more wheel gap. Look up the Miata Tire Calculator on Google. (I would link it but I"m too lazy at this point in the day).

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:07 am

As I have no plans on lowering my Vibe (I think its low enough already), I was thinking about going with a 225/50 or a 235/50 if it fits. I have the 235/45 on there now and the ride is a little rough but manageable. I have looked on the link for the tire size, just wanted opinions on sizes to see what others have used and what is usable on my Vibe. Thanks anyway!

NUBlackshirts · Post by **NUBlackshirts** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:38 am

I'm running 235/45-17's on Scion TC wheels just like you. I think if I had to do it again, I would go with a 225 width instead. I think the 235 looks a bit "pinched" on that wheel.

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 12:17 pm

I like my 235's on mine but I can see where you are coming from. Do you think a 225/50 would be too big/tall?

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:23 pm

I've been suggesting that we sticky a list of wheels, their size and offset and the tires that members have run on their Vibe/Matrix. The Miata Tire Calculator is a great thing, but it would really be better and easier to have a list of wheel/tire combinations that actually have been tried and work on our cars. More plug and play and maybe even have some pictures to see how they look!I also chose to use a taller tire since we have really bad roads out here in Maine. My wheel is 17x7, 38mm offset and I mounted a 225/50 17 tire. Tire inflation is set to 42/40 (front/rear) psi and the ride turned out quite good. If I thought it would fit in the wheel well, I would try a 235/50 17 or a 225/55 17. Maybe after the ones I have wear out in a few years. But at least you know that my set up works without interference problems.

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:43 pm

I agree with the sticky about the tire combo that works. I think that Im going to try that size (225/50) next time. I would like to go up to 235/50. I think that would give a good ride. Hopefully there wouldn't be a clearance issue. BTW, what brand tires are you running?

Neouka · Post by **Neouka** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:39 pm

I'm the oddball. I put 205/50/17 on my oem toyota wheels. It's the closest match for circumference to 205/55/16, and isn't like riding on rubber bands. Ride is decent and still looks good. I don't drive hard so the less width doesn't bother me.

NUBlackshirts · Post by **NUBlackshirts** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:54 am

I'm running Fuzion HRi's right now. Been a good tire so far. Wears really well and handles decent, although I think the sidewalls are a bit softer than I like. They run pretty well through the wet stuff also.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:11 am

Fuzion HRis are rated as a very good tire. What pressures do you run?

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:20 am

Why do you feel that a different tire size will impact performance positively? You can negatively impact tire performance as much as you might think you are improving it, by messing with sizing.... More doesn't always equate to better..

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:21 am

Quote, originally posted by ~MRVIBE2006~ Â»I agree with the sticky about the tire combo that works. I think that Im going to try that size (225/50) next time. I would like to go up to 235/50. I think that would give a good ride. Hopefully there wouldn't be a clearance issue. BTW, what brand tires are you running? Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum. Goofy name, but they have turned out to be a very quiet summer tire that is rated as an all season. As you can see by my Sig., I left them on to the first snow fall to see how they gripped on the fluffy stuff. Marginal in snow. I run snow tires on my steelies.If we had that sticky list, we could see if someone had ever mounted a set of 235/50 17s and how they performed... interfered... etc.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:36 am

Roger that Sub! But I've been pushing the tire envelope on cars for many years. Where I live right now, the roads eat wheels and destroy tires if you don't have a little space on the sidewalls. The width increase is only a bit more from 205 to 225. We're talking tiny mm's. The way I drive this car, it's probably more of a 'look' thing for me (?), but I like the flotation over the rough stuff that we encounter every day. The wheel tire set I'm running right now seems to be spot on for this car, so far.

NUBlackshirts · Post by **NUBlackshirts** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:32 am

Quote, originally posted by vibolista Â»Fuzion HRis are rated as a very good tire. What pressures do you run?Right now I have 36/34 front/rear. Thinking about experimenting with higher pressures to see if it helps the handling.

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:06 am

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind Â»Why do you feel that a different tire size will impact performance positively? You can negatively impact tire performance as much as you might think you are improving it, by messing with sizing.... More doesn't always equate to better.. All I'm looking for are options. I've always been one to not go with stock stuff/sizes when it comes to tires. Just looking for a better ride while keeping the 17" wheels I have now.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:58 pm

Higher pressure can really change the tire grip and ride quality. If you ever do play around with the pressures, make sure you watch the wear across the whole tread surface. Inflate too hard and the middle of the tread wears faster than the shoulders. Too soft and the shoulders wear faster than the middle. But you can vary it quite a bit, within that too hard and too soft range.You should post a close-up pictures of your tire and wheel to let us see how those 235/45s look.

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:13 pm

I will try to get some close up pics up soon and we can go from there.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:11 am

We really should do a wheel/tire sticky, to help everyone on the forum research all the options work and how they improve, or fail to improve the Vibe's performance. It would have taken me much less time to figure out what would or wouldn't fit my Vibe. I spent much of last summer trying to find the right combination of wheel offsets and tire widths/ aspects that would work on the car. It was a fun project, but just took too long to do.

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:14 am

On the wheel/tire sticky. I know that there are many Vibe owners out there that come here looking for advice on just that issue and it would be great if we had the info right there to help everyone.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 1:25 am

Ok, then, maybe we can start some sort of wheel/tire sticky movement for all genvibers to use! Now, how do we do this?

~MRVIBE2006~ · Post by **~MRVIBE2006~** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 11:08 pm

I think we need to talk to one of the moderators to see how to get this going and go from there. Maybe there are more genvibers out there that are interested in something like this.

vibolista · Post by **vibolista** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:37 am

Sound like a reasonable next step.

Different 17" tires sizes used

Different 17" tires sizes used

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (Whelan)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (NUBlackshirts)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (vibolista)

Re: (Neouka)

Re: (NUBlackshirts)

Re: Different 17" tires sizes used (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: (Sublimewind)

Re: (vibolista)

Re: (Sublimewind)

Re: (NUBlackshirts)

Re: (vibolista)

Re: (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: (vibolista)

Re: (~MRVIBE2006~)

Re: (vibolista)

Re: (~MRVIBE2006~)