Max wheel width w/o rubbing?

[Geo]

I did a search and couldn't find anything definite, so I am wondering what size I could go with. I am currently looking at Mille Miglia Action Sports and for the satin color they only run 17x8, but for the Bright silver color they run either 16x7.5, 17x7 or 17x8. I am still not 100% sure either if I want to go with 16's or 17's either - I DO have the moon & tunes, but from what I have read, that should't matter all that much right now I guess. (Am I wrong?)Any help would be great! Thanks

[yank dini]

My max guess would 19's since Discount Tire sells them for the VibeUsually if you go 20 and up on cars you have to raise them. But you might could fit a 20 on there maybe???Personnally I like 18's that's big enough for me.

[Geo]

*blink blink*I guess I didn't specify enough before, but I am wondering about the tire width. So is 7.5 the largest I could go, or would 8 work in say a 17x8 configuration? I'm not interested in going with a 18-19" diameter wheels, just 16 or 17". Although, that would be an awesome wheel. say 16x19 ... trouble is, would need custom tires and well, they would probably stick out like 8 inches from the fender too ... I wonder if I could make a Vibe dragster

[NSimkins]

I'm also looking into this detail as well... the wheels I am researching come in either 17x7 or 17x8. I know the 17x8 is 1" wider than the 17x7... question is if it is compatible with the Vibe.??

[ragingfish]

Have you tried e-mailin Pontiac or Toyota to ask them what the max tire size the car is rated for?

[mwebb]

The 8 in wide wheels should be fine. Most 19s come 8in wide or wider. And according to http://www.discounttire.com 19s fit our vibes and when you search for wheels that are 19s they have quite a few that are 8in wide. So i think you should be fine with a 17x8 - Hope that helps

[Geo]

Well, if you are running 19x8 with no problems, I don't see how there could be with 17x8! Thanks a bundle

[MadBill]

Per previous posts, I've been working with a set of C 4 Corvette 17" x 10" (yes, ten inches wide!) wheels with 275/40 x 17" Firestones. The diameter is just a two tenths more than the stock 215/50 x 17". The adaptors I had to build to convert the bolt pattern left them with ~ 35 mm effective offset. I had the rears on for ~ 100 miles with no rubbing, and last night I got one front one on. I only drove it around the block, but had no issues. The inner rim/sidewall is only ~ 3/8" clear of the front strut and the inner fenderwell front and back. I wouldn't recommed this width for the faint of heart, but with the right offset, an 8" or 8-1/2" should be absolutely no problem.Re diameter, I would have preffered 18", but I already had these. With a stock diameter tire to keep the ride height and speedo reading correct, I think the 19" are just too pothole-sensitive with their "rubber band" sidewall height, but if someone likes the look enough to accept the risks...

[NSimkins]

Another quick question....I did a quick search on TireRack using both (same wheel brand/model) sizes 17x7 and 17x8. The tire sizes do not change, is that accurate? For both wheels, the system picked out 215/50-17 size tires. If I understand right, one wheel is an inch wider than the other, how does the same tire work for both or doesn't it matter?

[SublimeVibe]

If you look at some vechiles the tires look really fat on the rim and when you see other cars the tires look flush I asked my local dealer he said that one was a wider rim and it looks more flush with the tire .So if I was you I would go with the wider rim so if you want a wider tire later you will have a rim that will work for you already.

[MadBill]

If you look at a tire specs page on the Tire Rack site, besides the diameter, tread width, etc. they list the "design rim width" that the tire is targeted for and for which the listed section width appies. They also list the range of rim widths for which it is approved (usually ~ 1-1/2 or 2" range). They are fairly conservative ratings, so one could likely get away with 1/2" more or less than the listed range. Not shown on the charts is the fact that the section width varies ~ 40% with the rim width. e.g., if the s.w. is 9" with an 8" rim, it would be 9.8" with a 10" rim.

[MadBill]

PS: I put 440 km. on my 275/40 x17" x 10" combo yesterday with no problems. Now to see what happens when I add a 2" drop...

[Faultline]

Mad Bill! can you show some Pics when your done? I would love to see this ..but what I would like to know, is the tractionn difference w/ the 10" wide tires....I have a turboed vibe w/ steelies on ...and I have traction issues...and am trying to figure the beast tire/wheel combo for best performance....but let us know what happens after the 2" drop...

[Stang2Vibe]

quote:PS: I put 440 km. on my 275/40 x17" x 10" combo yesterday with no problems. Now to see what happens when I add a 2" drop... This is exactly what I have been looking for. So "project big boots" was a success? I guess the almost-as-big tires I am trying to fit on my Vibe might work then. I tried to fit the old Mustang wheels on the Vibe the other night, but the bolt pattern is just a little too far off to set the wheel on the lugs. But from what I was able to gather, it looked like the tires I want to fit on there will fit without rubbing. I am trying to fit 245/45/17's on some 17x7.5" rims. The specs on the tires say that the wheel minimum width has to be at least 7.5" and a max of 9". They are currently mounted on 9.5 inch rims and I had no problems with driving them about 8,000 miles last year. So one tire can fit several wheel widths. I just hope that the front wheels won't rub the plastic fenderwells. They should clear everything else. So madbill, do you think I'd be ok with those 245/45/17's on 17x7.5" rims with an offset of +35?

[MadBill]

Per Faultline's request, I hope to get some pix this weekend. The tread clears the forward and rearward front wheelwell plastic by ~ 3/8" on the right and on the rear of the left side and just grazes it on the left at the front. Re traction, I haven't done any drop-clutch tests yet, but it's bound to be better than the ease with which I could light up my 195/65 snows! I plan to reassemble a front and a rear strut with no spring while I'm doing the spring change, and then jack the suspension through its full travel and steering, to check for clearances.Re Stang2Vibe's question: Yes, I'm very happy with the fit and appearance, and I'm reasonably sure now it will be OK with the 2" drop. You should have no trouble with your 245/45 x 17" at 35 mm offset. PS: Tell us more about your Turbo, Faultline! Can we expect some details in the appropriate chapter? (Or did I miss a previous post on the subject?)

[Jahntassa]

Dredging up old posts is fun...I have the GT 17" wheels... And y'know...darned if I wasn't looking at the car, and wishing I could fill some of that empty space... I thought about lowering it, and I still might, but I think I want to fill up the wells a bit more first. So, my question is, what's the largest wheel (diameter / depth), that can go on the vibe without too much trouble?I know that dramatically changing the size can mess up the spedometer, so, if I put on 19" or 20", what would have to be done to compensate for the different size? Can the spedo be recalibrated?I don't have any particular styles in mind.. I don't want to go with the really low profile tires, i'd rather go with the mid-size, like what comes on the 17" option. Any reccomendations? Places to look?

[mwebb]

The largest wheel that will fit is a 19in wheel- If you want to keep a lil more tire I would recomend a 18in wheel. I have 18s on my Vibe- There is a link in my signiture where you can see what they look like. A few web sites with lots of Wheels are http://www.superbuytires.com http://www.wheelmax.com http://www.tirerack.com http://www.discounttire.comHope that helps ya out.FYI: not sure if you know or not but the Vibes bolt pattern is 5x100

[Jahntassa]

quote:The largest wheel that will fit is a 19in wheel- If you want to keep a lil more tire I would recomend a 18in wheel. I have 18s on my Vibe- There is a link in my signiture where you can see what they look like. Hope that helps ya out.FYI: not sure if you know or not but the Vibes bolt pattern is 5x10019's Huh..? Eh...that should work. I mostly just want to get more..wheel..in the wheel well, it looks kinda scrawny, even with the 17's.. The 16's in my old Ford Probe seemed a better fit in comparison.But yes, this helps a lot, thanks! And yeah, I was told the 5x100 thing in another post when I wanted to put my 17's on a 2000 Grand Am..and found out the Grand Am is like a 5x115 or something.. Doh!

[mwebb]

19s that I wish I could go back and but are the AXIS Spyders check them out- they are sweet in my opinion!