Comments for
Tire Concerns: Using higher tires on rear

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Alternatives for 215/70/17
by: Anonymous

I have a 2011 Mazda CX-7. tire size is 215/70/17. I need to buy winter tires, and it seems that the only place to sell this size is Mazda directly ($$$) Are there any other sizes that will fit on my car without causing a bunch of issues. Someone has mentionned 235/65/17 which seem to be easier to find.

Comment:

Use our Tire Size Calculator to find alternative sizes … the closer to your original diameter the better.

Read about Plus Sizing to get a base in the idea of what you need to do.

The problem I find with the 235/65R17 is that it is a wider tire … almost an inch wider and this could cause some problems because of the extra width.

A much closer fit in terms of diameter is 275/55R17, but this is even wider that what you had in mind.

215/75R16 is a narrower tire but uses a smaller rim, as does the 205/80R16 but they are a better match for diameter that your idea … however it is possible that this smaller diameter rim might not be suitable for your vehicle if there is any conflict with brakes.

You have lots of alternatives open, yet they all have their little "buts" that you have to check out before making a commitment.

TG
225/55 R16 instead of 225/50 R16
by: Anonymous

I drive a MB 220 2006 (W203) with the front tyres 205/55 R16 and the rear tyres 225/50 R16.

It is rather painful finding winter rear tyres (few choices and all VERY expensive). However, the more common size of 225/55/R16 appears to be in large supply and at least 20%-25% cheaper.

The difference in heigth is under 1/2 in, but whenever I ask the MB dealers if the change would be acceptable their nswer is consistently 'NO' but when I ask them why, they stare at me / look through me with no answer whatsoever.

Worth mention thattere is enogh room under the wheel arches for the higher tyres.

Editorial Comment:

Use the Tire Size Calculator to see the effects of using this larger tire.

Apart from those effects, as long as there are no areas where this larger tire will rub or cause any other component to not function as it should, I see no reason why you wouldn't want to try this other size for the savings involved.

There is no safety issue involved as long as the tires have the same speed and load rating as your manufacturer recommends for the vehicle and it could be that the dealer simply wants you to buy a more expensive tire. Try it and see, just being careful to monitor your tires closely for the first few days or weeks (depending on how much you use it) and if you don't notice anything unusual which you can't accept, then you'd be OK.

Especially, if they can't give you a good reason to stick with the original size, I'd be prepared to take a chance. The chance is that there is a good reason, but they don't know or won't tell you.

TG
Tire Concerns: Different Sized Tires front and Back
by: Anonymous

I have a 1999 dodge grand caravan sport. It originally came with
p215/65r16.

I had bought new tires, took it to the tire shop.
They didn't ask me about sizes or anything. Later i realized
that they had put on all 4 new p225/60/r16. Have been running
them this way now for about 3 years, never noticing a problem.
Assumed the tire guy knew what he was doing.

Well now, i need to replace the 2 front tires. I have (2)
p215/65r16's that i could put on. Since (2) of the tires i have
on my van, are still good. So what do you reccomend? Can i put
(2) of the 225's on the front or back, then the 215's on the
front or back?

Is that possible, without doing any damage, if
running 1 set of (2) on front or back then other set of (2) on
opposite end of van?

Editorial Comment

The two tires in your case are almost as close to an exact match as you can hope to find for the outside diameter of the tires -- there is only 1/3 of an inch difference, and since you've been using them both at one time or another on the vehicle there is no preferred position for one size or the other.

TG
lexus is250
by: domhitsbig@gmail.com

I have a 2007 lexus is250 AWD: tires size is 225/45R17..I experience way to many side bulges and blow outs from pot hole damage...is there a way to replace my oem wheels with 16 inch wheels and go with a tire that is the same width but a higher side wall...I know I will give up the sport hugging, but this is an everyday car and replacing 2 tires every winter is not cost effective. What would the new tire ize be? Thanks

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