Question about new tires for 2009 Vibe GT

[Hatchet]

Hi, guys. I'm new here, so thanks for having me.I have a 2009 Vibe GT with stock tires (BFG 215/45R18), and are looking for new tires. Costco has a sale on Michelins, but they only come in 225s, as 225/45R18 or 225/40R18. Which of the two would you recommend, or would you recommend that I stick with the original 215/45R18, even if that means I'll have to buy elsewhere?Mitch2009 Vibe GT, silver, stock

[vibolista]

I'm a fan of fat tires, so I would do the 225/45 18 if they fit inside the wheel well. The 225/40 18 would probably fit better, but they would not give you much room between the road and wheel (can you spell- d a m a g e?). Another disadvantage with a 40 series tire is the rougher ride you will get out of it. Good luck and post a picture of the tire on your wheel on your GT so we can drool a little. It's what we do. And by the way... welcome to the Vibe site!

[Hatchet]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll go visit Costo today and see if they agree. Based on the other posts on this site, I think the 40's scare me, and I drive hard, so wouldn't want to damage my rims.But you don't think the 225/45R18 will be too big and/or wide?Will update soon.Mitch

[JetBlack09VibeGT]

If you are going to go wider go with the 225/45/18 as opposed to the 225/40/18. Simply put you will go 1/3 of an inch up in overall diameter with the 45 series tire versus 1/2 of an inch down. By going up, it may even fix or minimize the 2009 Vibe's Speedo being off, by going down you will show a faster speed and add more miles than actual, and as stated above, have a bumpier ride.See the site below, its quite helpful for tire sizing. http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

[Hatchet]

Well, I went to Costco, and the guy there wouldn't sell me the 225/45R18, saying that with increasing the tire width (from the factory 215/45R18 for my 2009 Vibe GT) without reducing the sidewall ratio, he thinks there's a good chance of rubbing on turns or hard bumps. Since I've actually had that on my previous car (a 1999 Chevy Prizm that I had larger tires as well, I think they were 195/65R15s or something like that), I went ahead with the 225/40R18 tire.http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...1=yesHoping to get those in by Thursday and Friday to have them install. I'll let you know how they work, but on paper, they appear good, since I live in California, without real snow, and the tire's 500 treadwear rating sounds enticing.Mitch2009 Vibe GT, silver, stock (so far)

[trask]

I put 225/40/18`s on my GT and they work well. They will probably increase the speedometer error issue that a lot of Vibes already have. Anyway, I am happy with them, but when these wear out I will probably go back to the stock tire size, I think the ride was better.

[vibolista]

Unless you find someone on our site that has put a 225/45 18 on a 09/10 Vibe GT, you're not going to find out if that tire actually fits. In the "old" days, some tire installers, including tirerack would find out if the tire you chose would really fit or not. Legal hassles and old wives tales have made many of these installers very unwilling to try anything but OEM sizes. If you go to a box store or other tire dealer these days, many of them will not even consider puting a tire on your wheel that isn't OEM size. We still need to have a wheel/tire sticky on genvibe for all the wheel and tire combinations that members have used and work on our Vibes. Personally, I would either try to find out if a 225/45 18 would fit or stay with the 215/45 18. A 40 is going to ride a bit more harsh and there's the greater wheel damage potential. Those 18 inch wheels are on the very expensive side of the money scale. Tire diameters do affect your speedometer, but that's easy to figure out and re-learn for yourself, so you don't get pulled over for speeding, while your speedometer is telling you that you aren't.

[bikeman1]

Vibolista is exactly right. I am surprised the Costgo installer would even put on a non-OEM size for you. Used to get tires at wal mart until I got tired of being niggled all the time. When you limited yourself to 205/55/16s, their selection of tires got pretty thin. Here's to using as an installer your local neighborhood service station or tire dealer (if you have one) . While they don't have quite the low prices of the big box boys, they don't have all the rules and policies, plus you can get to know them first hand. Sometimes if they can't get the tire you want, they may install one you buy online for a flat fee. A lot of the tirerack installers are local shops not chains.Meanwhile lay off the potholes with those shallow tires and watch yer tire pressure! Tis that season....Vibo you are also right about the tire fitment sticky, but it would be a convolute post indeed with all the different aftermarket wheel/offset/ring options. could do the OEM wheels at least. Take it easy over those potholes.