How much does tire size change affect handling?

[Rusty]

It's time to replace my Nankang 195/50/16s. I would like to go a step wider and was thinking of going up to 205/45/16. It will only read 1mph higher on the speedo. I'd like to know from some of you who have done this how much difference I will see in handling and ride, like if it will corner better. Is this a good size or should I go for 205/50?

I have a goodyear credit card so that's what I plan to get. What are your thoughts on Goodyear?

 

[JoshP5]

Do you want better handling or ride?
handling -205/45
ride - 205/50
It's really that simple.

 

[Rusty]

Handling as long as the ride is as good as the stockers.

 

[JoshP5]

Cake and eating.

 

[JoshP5]

I should probably say it depends on what kind of tire you get, in addition to size. For example, a Kumho ASX will ride softer than an SPT of the same size. The ASX in 205/45 might ride softer than an SPT in 205/50 even. Like many things in life, there's more to it than size.

 

[Salmon_Rob]

i have oem rims for sale with toyo proxes fz4's in 205/45/16. very good tires, and as josh can attest in very good condition with almost all of the tread

 

[JoshP5]

Confirmed.

 

[Rusty]

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered a set of Kumho ASX 84W 195/50-16s. I hope they do the job.

 

[c0okiecrisps]

i have some fuzion hris



they nice

the back is 55, and it makes the front (50) more...predictable i'd say
(205/ /16)
is that normal?

 

[Action Jackson]

Besides size, there is the level of grip, the stiffness of the sidewalls and hydroplaning resistance to consider.

I'm on my 4th set of tires on my P5 (not including stock).

 

[MonkeyBone]

Handling AND ride ----> 215/45 (headbang)

 

[Rusty]

Got my new Kumohs

Just got my new Kumoh ASX 84W 195/50-16s installed. After 6 years, they said my wheels needed no alignment. That's ******* amazing, Mazda must build the best suspensions ever. I still had some tread above whe wear bars, but the old Nankangs were hydroplaning like s*** over 50 MPH. That did it for me, I don't like skiing down the highway.

Those dumbshits at Goodyear Gemini put 28lbs of air in one rear tire, 34 in the other, 29 in one front and 31 in the other. I'm anal about air pressure, I usually run 34 in the front and 32 in the rear. All the old tires had perfectly even tread wear, except one was a little more worn than the rest, but still even wear. I'm not too sure why that might be, but I'll have to keep an eye on it. Maybe it had a different lot number, I never thought to check till now... too late.

I don't see a directional arrow on these. I'm wondering if I should keep rotating from front to back, or if I should start doing a forward cross. Anybody got advice on that?

 

[5PADZAM]

I don't see a directional arrow on these. I'm wondering if I should keep rotating from front to back, or if I should start doing a forward cross. Anybody got advice on that?

Always rotate radial tires front to back. Do not change sides with them. While radial tire construction is much better than it was 20 years ago, it is still a very real possibility that you will get a tire separation if change the direction that a radial tire has been rolling.