grampi50

Let's say a person wanted to keep the factory size wheels (17s front, 18s rear), but wanted to go slightly larger diameter with the tire size to take up some of the space in wheel well. Can I just jump up the aspect ratio from a 45 to a 50 on the front, and from a 40 to a 45 on the rear, or would I have to play around with the width as well to get them to look right? Have any of you done this, and if so, could you post some pics so I can see what it looks like?


Another thing I'm wondering about is having such sizes installed by tire places. I have noticed these places are getting very picky about the size tires that are going on a particular vehicle, and some refuse to install tires that are not exactly the same size that originally came on the vehicle. Have you guys run into this problem, and if so, how do you get around it? Thanks.

Dirty Dog

You can, but I personally think it'll look terrible. These cars simply don't look right with a high profile tire; they're sports cars, not trucks.
If you want less gap, lower your car. The factory bolts do a fine job and will leave you with reasonable clearance.

grantv

You can, and I doubt most tire shops would refuse mounting (although it is possible, they questioned my tire choice for my wife's Tucson at only one size bump).
Going up one aspect ratio would increase each tire diameter by an inch. That's a lot IMO. Circumference of the rear tire would thus increase from 83.75 to 87.15, effectively changing your rear gear ratio from (unsure what you have):
2.73 to 2.62
3.15 to 3.03
3.42 to 3.29
You'd have to get your speedo adjusted accordingly.
How many miles on the existing tires?
Have you considered instead lowering the car a bit?

grampi50

Lowering the car may be a better option. Thanks for the input!

DDaaryl

Great idea! Now your speedometer will be wrong and the computer will go crazy with active handling and traction control. My car has worked great for 15 years with the proper size tires (just replaced in September) Just another great improvement idea (mod). What could go wrong? (tire rub, alignment, active handling, speedometer, there must be more)

grampi50

I can't take credit for the idea...there are plenty of guys in this site who have gone with different size tires and/or wheels...

Vetteman Jack

Not hard to do and less expensive than buying new tires.

striper

BTW, a higher profile tire will also negatively affect the handling of your car.

QCVette

There are a lot of choices.

For the Active handling and traction control to work normally the rear tires need to be 0.5" to 1.5" bigger diameter than the front tires.

As others have said, a different tire diameter will change the speed relative to the speedometer reading.

You can use a calculator to compare tires sizes front to rear and also how the speedometer will be effected. See the link below or search for tire calculators online.
https://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

As to the look of the tires/gap/height/ etc. that is only your opinion as to what you want it to look like.

Good luck.

Forcedvert

Two good reasons for higher sidewalls, has nothing to do with looks!






A better way IMO to lessen wheel gap is larger wheels and lower car. The speedo and can be reprogrammed. These cars look great with 18"/19" and still have room for good rubber