Okay, tire calulator with 205/55-16 as 0% :245/45-18 = 3.0%205/60-16 = 3.2%215/60-16 = 5.1%5.1% is a pretty high leap but my vibe has the 2.4 as does the GT so can it be looked at this way?245/45-18 = 0%215/60-16 = 2.1%2.1% is not an unreasonalbe leap. I run the 205/60-16's on my 04 Vibe. That's a 3.2 leap and it is fine with it.I really want to fill up these wheelwells and most of my driving, 90%, is freeway at 70+. I need you guyz thoughts. Still a winter away from doing it.Are the gear ratios different between a base 2.4 and a GT 5 speed auto?
I ran 215/60/16 in the past and the Vibe was fine with it. Only issue was snow/ice build up in the wheel well, which a carwash took care of. In fact, my speedo was more accurate with them than with the oem size tires.
My Fleet:
'15 Ford Fusion AWD Titanium 2.0 Tutbo
'14 Lincoln MXZ AWD 2.0 Turbo
'14 Nissan Pathfinder AWD SL
'05 Pontiac Vibe AWD
Quote, originally posted by mistertwo »best way to fill wheel wells.... lowering springs.. Ding ding ding ding.... The only way to "fill" the wheel wells is to either A. use a larger wheel and/or tire (and deal with the %'age change) or B. lower the car..
Quote, originally posted by leemur »Thank you.And there is another way to fill the wheel wells, add metal around the wheel well to extend it inward toward the tire.Um, yeah sure.. if you feel the need... lol... you gonna do that to a Vibe.... meh, doubt it..
Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »I ran 215/60/16 in the past and the Vibe was fine with it. Only issue was snow/ice build up in the wheel well, which a carwash took care of. In fact, my speedo was more accurate with them than with the oem size tires.That's good to know. I plan on upsizing my tire (but not nearly that much) when the RS-A's wear out. I know the Mazda Miata tire calculator says not to go over 3% increase as it can cause problems with ABS brake systems. (Just put new tires that are 3.2% larger overall diameter on a Civic with no braking issues noted).As for the wheel gap I think lowering springs don't quite solve the gap issue - the wheel opening is so huge all around that even lowering it only makes the gap smaller at the top. You still have the same gap in front and back of the wheel - and lowering the gap at the top actually accentuates the front/back space.For aesthetics and to get my speedo to read more accurately, I want to lower the car just a bit over 1.5" using Eibach Pro-Kits made for the first gen Vibe, and then increase the sidewall ratio (probably by 5) and the width (by 10mm).
1997 Civic EX sedan w/auto trans2001 Accord EX sedan w/5-spd manual2009 Vibe 2.4L w/5-spd manual, sunroof, monsoon, GT spoiler, Magnaflow muffler and rolled SS tip, lowered on H-Tech springs, window tint, debadged (save the red arrow!).
This info will be helpful as I plan on getting winter tires & rims for my 20009 Vibe GT like so many others have done. Will post info & pics when a decision is made. Thanks .........