Here are some considerations you might want to take into account assuming you want to keep the same 17" wheels:
1. Will the wheel width accomodate the planned increase in tire width? You need to find out what the complete wheel size is, ie, 17.0 x 6.0?, 17.0 x 6.5?, 17.0 x 7.0? etc. The tire manufacturer should list the proper range of wheel sizes for a particular tire size. 2. In order to keep the tire's circumference about the same, you need to lower the tire's profile as you increase the tread width - otherwise, the accuracy of the speedometer/odometer will change proportionally. If you don't lower the profile, you could have clearance problems with the top of the wheel well. Tire_Circumference = pi*D where D is the sum of the wheel_diameter and the profile_height*2 (roughly). In your case, a 215R55 and a 235R50 should be about equivalent in terms of maintaining the same circumference. 3. Expect a harsher ride and more transmitted road noise from a lower profile tire. 4. Changing tread width may also affect the car's handling, steering and alignment to some degree, too. I once considered going from 205R60 to 225R55 on 16.0 x 6.0 rims, but found out the 6.0 was too narrow for a 225 tread width, so I left them as they were. _jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Zulfiqar Naushad Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 12:39 PM To: The Hardware List Subject: [H] Offtopic : Tire considerations I have a car (Maxima) that needs it's tires replaced. I am going to change all 4 tires. The current tires are bridgestones ER44's and are 215 55 R 17's. I am considering doing upsizing so I can get more wider tires. Since I am not a tire expert, can someone fill me in on exactly how to upsize? if I am not mistaken then 215 is the width of the tire in mm's the 55 means that the sidewall is 55% of 215, the R is the speed rating and the 17 is the rim size. So does this mean that if I want to get wider tires I go for something like 220 or 225 55 R 17's? Regards,
