What tire size should I buy?

Question

I drive a 1998 Chevy Cavalier Z24 Coupe. I just bought some 17 inch rims for it because the old ones were beaten up, and the finish was gone. I have called multiple tire stores but they offer no confident opinions (Discount tire, the Chevy dealership etc). So my tire size options are

215/45-17

215/50-17

225/45-17

I am looking for high mileage tires, NOT PERFORMANCE tires. But I was thinking of going with the 215/50's for that reason. I thought maybe the 225's would be too big and I would get a lot of wheel rub when I hit a bump and such. You obviously will get more mileage out of bigger tires... So if someone can confirm I won't get much tire rub with the 225's I would appreciate it =)

Answer 1

you shouldn't assume that you'll get more mileage with a bigger tire.  the size doesn't determine tire wear, the compound of the rubber does.  However, in this case, the 225/45/17 is the closest you can come to your original tire size.  You will want an H rated tire for a harder compound and softer sidewall for smoother ride and longer tread life.  You won't have any issues with rubbing unless you have altered the suspension, and that the wheel is either a 17x7 or 17x7.5 with at least a 40mm positive offset.  42mm positive offset is ideal.  35-38mm offset WILL rub with a 225/45r17

Answer 2

Well you didn't state you rim width, you said the diameter but what is the width? they usually tell you when you buy the wheel that or it is stamped on the inside of the wheel. Ranging from 5 inches wide to 10 inches wide (sometimes bigger). Rim width makes a big difference on how wide of tires will fit...but a safe assumption is that either of the 215's will fit, I would choose the tire with the closest measurements to stock so you don't mess up your speedometer or gearing ratio. Smaller circumference tires lower the gear ratio and promote Speedometer lag, Higher circumference tires raise the gear ratio and promote Speedometer Jump. Higher Gear Ratio will lower acceleration but raise top end, Lower Gear Ratio will lower top end but raise acceleration...although the gear ratio changes would be minimal, the Speedometer changes would be very noticeable with any tire 3% smaller or larger circumference than stock. Circumference is calculated using the three numbers on the tire, just type in Tire Circumference Calculator in google.

I can't confirm anything about wheel rub with the 225s unless you give me more information, I would need the wheel well depth, wheel well gap height, and Rim width to be able to really tell you anything for certain.

Answer 3

Try www.tirerack.com. They have lots of information there. You should be sure to compare the offset of these new rims to the original rims. Make sure they're not set inwards too much, or that could be worse than increasing the tire width.

Also, I have a 2002 Z24 with 225/60-R16 on the original rims and I don't get any tire rub. When you think about it, it's only 5mm wider on each side than the previous 215's.

Answer 4

well if your worrying about tire rub then go with the smaller of the three 215 50.. and with what you getting into your not going to get any mileage out of any tire as you would if you had the right size of tire for the car.. bigger tires and wheels on any car your messing with the design of said car and with  spending a lot of money to customize the front end parts you will still not get much mileage out of them

Answer 5

You can surely go to Discount Tires store near by or go on their website. They have options where you can put in your car model, year...then it will give you a suggestion to what size will fit your car.

I did the same for mine and they are very helpful at discount tires. They are basically the best source when it come to tires. You can also check out NTB (national tires & battery)

Cheers!!!

Answer 6

The larger and wider the tire, the greater chance of rubbing you will have. Bear in mind, by putting on larger tires, your speedo and odometer will no longer be accurate.

Answer 7

You might as well go with the extra rubber.  There wont be that much difference between 215's and 225's (not even cost I would assume).

Answer 8

I'll cut right to the chase and help you a TON. Your car originally had 205-55-16's on it. They roll 837 times per mile down the road as you drive. Go to: tirerack.com and start looking at 17 inch tires. When you select a brand and type you're interested in click under the tire picture where it says: Spec. When that page pops up look to the far right hand side of the column you will see the heading Tire RPM. In tire language that means: Revolutions Per Mile. You can safely go to a larger tire size if you do not exceed 20 less tire revolutions per mile. When a larger diameter and circumference tire rolls a mile it'll turn less revolutions which will make your speedometer read lower than you're actually going. You can also cheat the system a bit if you drop the aspect ratio of the tire from 55 to 50 and on down.

Do not get crazy with tire widths. If the back-spacing on your new wheels is the same as your old ones look at the Spec chart again for the advised rim widths for each of the tires you're looking at. Measure the width inside the bead on the new rims. Never cheat big tires on small rim widths. The tires will wear in the centers.

Have fun! and Good Luck to ya,