GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Does anyone know what the size would be if I went with a slightly wider tire. I have the standard 16" wheels (that all Vibes seem to get that surface rust on) with 205/55 tires. My Camry has 205/65's as original, but I use 215/60's.

I've found this site http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to be very useful.

Without getting into handling and tire type and contact patch, etc, going a size wider is no real biggie. Especially, since you're going to a lower sidewall. Having a slightly larger or small radius wheel isn't that big of a deal either but in these cars, you have to worry about going too large a radius since that will make it harder and harder to land in lift between shifts, absolutely killing your momentum on a track, a back road or straight line run.

Was pondering a size 215/60 on the factory sixteen wheel..

205/55-16 - Diameter: 24.88in
215/60-16 - Diameter: 26.16in

Difference in diameter: 1.28in or 5.1% difference in diameter. I would really consider a smaller sidewall. At least a 55 but would be tempted to go 50. Remember, a 55 series sidewall on a 215 tire is actually a taller sidewall than a 55 series sidewall on a 205 width wheel.

What exactly are you wanting to accomplish? This would help us help you.

Anyone recall what the diameter of the OE 17in wheel is offhand?

OE 17" is, I believe, 17x7. Or at least that's what my summer wheels are, and they use the 17" Vibe OE tire size of 215/50/17. Since I'm putting new tires on I've considered going up to 225/45/17s, but likely wont. Also, I wouldn't go too wide on OE 16s. Onl so wide a tire will fit.

General rule of thumb: Up by 10 on the width, down by 5 on the aspect ratio. So 205/55 --> 215/50.

Capnblinski wrote:Was pondering a size 215/60 on the factory sixteen wheel..

I just mounted up a set of 215/60R16 Hankook H727s this morning on my stock 16" steelies, will be putting them on the car this evening. It's my 4th set of these tires I've had on various vehicles(but 1st on my Vibe). They seem to hold up rather well to the gravel roads in my area.

I'm hoping the ride will be a bit better with the taller sidewall. My speedometer reads a bit high anyway, so the taller tires should help out instead of hurt in that department.


I'll try to report back in the next few days on the results.

Well, results are mixed with the larger tires.

The ride is better, the difference is not huge, but is worth it to me.
The speedo now reads about 58.5 mph when I am going 60 mph, according to my GPS.
I don't feel much difference in cornering, but I'm not what one would consider a "sporty" driver.
Along those lines, I do just barely notice that the engine seems to have a bit less "pep", due to the effective change in gearing due to greater circumference.

All in all, I feel the change was worth it.

I gone to 225-50-16" exact same diameter as a 205-55-16"