235 on 1st gen ?

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oldelpaseo
Posts: 18
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2015 4:19 am
Location: Quebec, Canada

235 on 1st gen ?

Post by oldelpaseo »

Probably been asked but i could not find it.
Last winter i had 225/60 16s on my 2004 vibe. Now they are almost as bald as i am. So im looking for new ones.

There seem to be enough clearance for 235 large (235/60r16). I could not find 235/55 tires, so would 235/60r16 fit without any problems ?

I know acceleration will be slower than stock. But im looking for max braking and acceleration traction cause i live in the country icy/snowy roads.

Thanks
jayoldschool
Posts: 294
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:04 pm

Re: 235 on 1st gen ?

Post by jayoldschool »

You want narrower, not wider, for winter. More weight on the contact patch, digs through snow instead of floating. I drop to a 195 65 15 for winter on my first gen. Great winter choice, lots of low cost tires.
vibolista
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:34 am
Location: "Glacial", Maine!

Re: 235 on 1st gen ?

Post by vibolista »

I've had a 215/55 16 Blizzaks on the steel OE wheels during Winter and they provided OK grip... was a little floaty in loose snow. These tires are now down to the last of their useful snow tread depth... and I might go with a set of 205/60 16 General Altimax Arctic snow tires this time, although the chunkier 225/60 16s would definitely look a lot better filling out the wheel well.

A guy up a ways in Canada had a set of 235/60 16 snow tires on his Vibe's OE steel wheels and had no problems with them. All his roads were dirt (under the snow) for hundreds of kilometers. The 235/60 16s gave him extra clearance and a cushier ride. 2003-2008 Vibes can take quite a good sized tire in the wheel well and still have plenty of room to operate.

Just be sure that you stick close to the OE offsets when up-sizing tires to keep for having tire rub issues.
Last edited by vibolista on Tue Nov 15, 2016 12:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'08 Manual, Sun&Sound, 17" Borbet Type CA wheels, 215/50 Summer Tires... 16" OE steel, 215/55 Snow Tires
thebarber
Posts: 1162
Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:01 am
Location: kitchener, ontario

Re: 235 on 1st gen ?

Post by thebarber »

technically you should have at least a 7.5" wide wheel to run 235's
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