tire sizes again-sorry
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
From what I understand you can go 1 size bigger than stock without causing wear problems. So to answer your question. If you have stock wheels 8.5wide by 17 in the front then you could go with a 255 to replace your 245s you have now. Hope this helped
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You need to make sure the rear tire is at least a half inch larger in overall diameter than the front tire. You might get by with a smaller delta in size but some people haven't gotten away with it. If you get too close to the front diameter or smaller than the front diameter the Traction Control will keep activating. It will cut power and apply the rear brakes trying to get the rear wheel speeds to slow down in relation to the front wheel speeds.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thanks C5 Steve and Bill
I gather the 285s won't fit on the front, then? The reason I'm asking is I need 4 new tires on my 98 coupe and someone gave me 2 new Kumho 285/40/R17 tires for free. Being a girl on a budget, I'm just trying to figure out how I can use them on my car. I could put them in the back and go to 17 inch wheels all around, instead of the current 17/18 setup, I guess. Appreciate your input.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 4
From: Nouvelle Ecosse
If you have the OEM front rims on the car they are 8.5 " wide. The 285/40/17 tire requires a 10" wide rim. Even your stock rear rims are only 9.5" wide. I doubt you could get anyone to mount the tires on the stock front rims and they probably would not be safe if you could get someone to mount them.
I'd suggest you put them up for sale in the Parts forum and use what you get for them toward the purchase the correct size for your rims. JMHO.
I'd suggest you put them up for sale in the Parts forum and use what you get for them toward the purchase the correct size for your rims. JMHO.
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Good advice by 8VETTE7. I wouldn't put that size tires on the front rims.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I'm not adverse to buying 10 inch wide 17 inch wheels for the front, the question is, will they fit. Maybe I'm asking it wrong. Buying new rims, in a 17/18 set, is part of my plan, I just am trying to use those free 285/40/17 tires in this plan.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Got my definitive answer from a senior member via pm! I'll be posting 2 tires and 4 wheels for sale as soon as I get some good pics. Thanks to all of you who helped me on this question-I appreciate it.