Stock Tire Size Options
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
Stock Tire Size Options
Good Evening to all, I have a '96 coupe, 6spd. What tires are you guys putting on your cars in the stock sizes? (255/45R17 front, 285/40R17 rear) There doesn't seem to be a lot of choices out there, especially for matching sets! Even though I don't take the car out (or have any plans to do so) when there's any kind of precipitation, I'd still like to find an all season tire. Additionally, does anyone out there know why Chevy went away from the 275/40R17's at all four corners in '93? Thanks for the help!
Last edited by GRKLGHTNG; Jan 4, 2015 at 05:19 PM. Reason: wanted to add a question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
Good Evening to all, I have a '96 coupe, 6spd. What tires are you guys putting on your cars in the stock sizes? (255/45R17 front, 285/40R17 rear) There doesn't seem to be a lot of choices out there, especially for matching sets! Even though I don't take the car out (or have any plans to do so) when there's any kind of precipitation, I'd still like to find an all season tire. Additionally, does anyone out there know why Chevy went away from the 275/40R17's at all four corners in '93? Thanks for the help!
Thanks!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 698
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=50950&tab=All
Here are your most common options and Nitto 555 can be found on Discount Tire Direct. If you insist on all seasons even though you aren't going to drive in crappy weather then you are severely limiting your options for no reason.
Here are your most common options and Nitto 555 can be found on Discount Tire Direct. If you insist on all seasons even though you aren't going to drive in crappy weather then you are severely limiting your options for no reason.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...=50950&tab=All
Here are your most common options and Nitto 555 can be found on Discount Tire Direct. If you insist on all seasons even though you aren't going to drive in crappy weather then you are severely limiting your options for no reason.
Here are your most common options and Nitto 555 can be found on Discount Tire Direct. If you insist on all seasons even though you aren't going to drive in crappy weather then you are severely limiting your options for no reason.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
For sizes there may be a few options depending on what you like.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
Thanks guys! Really appreciate the input! I might possibly change the wheels also, because the more I look at the factory "saw blades" the more I dislike them (sorry to all who do like them, don't mean to offend anyone). So that might be my excuse to go with something like the AR VN515's, and go with the 275's all around.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I've noticed no issues with the 255's on the front; understeer is not a problem.
The tires that are on my '96 right now are the stock sizes, front and rear, (they are on wider wheels) and are the Bridgestone Expedia S-01. Kumha Ecsta SP is another pretty good tire that is available in the stock sizes. I had the Ecsta MX on mine for seven years. Decent tire.
The stock sizes are larger than almost any other car's made in the last 20 years and are more tire than you or I will probably ever use.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
For sizes there may be a few options depending on what you like.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 355
Likes: 14
Front tire scrub
For sizes there may be a few options depending on what you like.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
255/45/17 front and 285/40/17 rear are stock. (about 26.1" diameter)
I have run 275/40/17 rear (about 25.7") At 60 mph your speedometer will read about 59.3 mph.
I have run all combinations of 275 and 285 rear tires with 245/45, 255/45, and 275/40 front tires.
A matching diameter for the 275/40/17 rear is the 245/45/17. These can be run as a set on your stock 8.5" front and 9.5" rear wheels. Although I don't like to go narrower on tire sizes, the 245 and 275 are the widths the C5's used and work fine on a C4
Many people use 275/40/17 front and rear. That is what I currently have on my '95 since I have four 17"x 9.5" wheels. The 275/40/17 tire can fit on an 8.5" wheel and many people do it, but an 8.5" wheel is not in the recommended range for most 275/40/17 tires.
As I understand it, the factory went from all four 275 tires to the staggered 255/285 setup in '93 to improve the on center feel and reduce tram lining. Personally I like the all four 275 setup better and don't find any problems with it (it was also all four 275's from 1988 to 1992 from the factory).
Good luck with your choices.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 6
From: NY
From experience, I can tell you that the 275 tires on the front of my'92 will scrub the edges of the tire. So I keep front to 36# which pretty much eliminates the wear. My friend is trying to find 285's for his '93 that match the 245 fronts. What are the current choices?
The 245/45R17 isn't as difficult to find.