Tire width selection

[Turbobrick]

Interesting tip

 

(See pic)

Edited February 12, 2002 by Turbobrick

[Fabiaman]

Woah... tks for the pics.

 

I have a stupid question, I am not good at all in all these - so how do we determine when we buy a tyre what is the best tyre width for the rims that we have? I like to have the type of rim/tyre combi in the middle, so that means I shld take the widest tyre my rim can take?

[Turbobrick]

Well it all depends on which rim you choose and whether U have a choice of the rim thickness first. Getting a thick tire may be your preference but do take note of the steering clearance or U may have the thick tire rubbing the inner wheel well

[DoctorDrake]

Yes, but don't forget that you should avoid changing the overall diameter. (Did we cover this before in another thread?) The main reason for not changing the rolling circumferenceis that you speedo- and odo-meters won't need recalibration. Furthermore, the manufacturer chose the specific rolling circumference to match the gearing ratio of your tranny.

[Turbobrick]

There's an interesting overall rolling diameter online calculator link here http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=573;

[DoctorDrake]

And more information here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/knowtire.htm

[User12343]

that means choose rims first then get the installer to match the rubbers izzit? will mix-and-match by ownself cause problems?

Well it all depends on which rim you choose and whether U have a choice of the rim thickness first. Getting a thick tire may be your preference but do take note of the steering clearance or U may have the thick tire rubbing the inner wheel well

[Turbobrick]

Yup! Doesn't have to be the installer's recommendation all the time. I chose my own rubba to match my 17" rims. The shop actually ordered the wrong size (i.e. 17x8 instead of 17x7) and told me that my 215/45R17 rubba can fit but I rejected them. Told them to bring me the right size and waited another two weeks....