Tallest 17" tire for the CX-5?

[leeharvey418]

Okay, so then I went and looked at what’s actually available in 225/75R17. Tire Rack has five options, all of which are E-load range LT metric tires with S speed ratings. They’re going to be stiff to begin with, and you’re going to need to inflate them to a higher pressure than what you’re probably going to want for the sake of getting them to the correct load rating. They are the last tires I’d ever put on a CX-5, or any other unibody-based crossover with a suspension built for comfort and handling.

I realize you’re going to do what you want, but I’m telling you now - it’s a horrendously bad idea.

 

[Saskabush]

Okay, so then I went and looked at what’s actually available in 225/75R17. Tire Rack has five options, all of which are E-load range LT metric tires with S speed ratings. They’re going to be stiff to begin with, and you’re going to need to inflate them to a higher pressure than what you’re probably going to want for the sake of getting them to the correct load rating. They are the last tires I’d ever put on a CX-5, or any other unibody-based crossover with a suspension built for comfort and handling.

I realize you’re going to do what you want, but I’m telling you now - it’s a horrendously bad idea.

Yeah you really gotta watch the load ratings when looking at larger/taller tires. Basically no vehicle smaller than an F-150 should be running E-load tires (or LT tires at all really). Even on my Tacoma they are too stiff. There are a few options in a 235 or 245 width for SL or even XL tires that fit a CX-5, but nothing in the 225 width in anything larger than factory diameter.

The 245/70/R17 Falken Wildpeak AT4W I run are XL tires, which are about 10lbs lighter per tire than the same thing in E-load. The ride quality is honeslty very similar to factory. But the handling is noticably more boaty due to the taller sidewalls. Which was kinda the point for me, our roads are too bad to take corners very fast anyway lol. They do float over rough terrain a lot better though.

Also you don't have to run E-load at higher PSI, that's only necessary to get the full load rating which will never be necessary with a CX-5. You can run lower (factory ish) PSI and still get even wear, but the whole thing with E-load tires is they have stiffer (more ply's) sidewalls. So even if you do air down it's still quite stiff without a heavier vehicle.

 

[forties]

"a horrendously bad idea"​

The guy said right in his post 29.5" max without a lift. There are plenty of tires in that whole 29.0" to 30.5" range that would work on a CX-5 that are non LT. A few nice options in 235/70/17 for a 30". 225/75/16 for a 29.3" minus one. There are some good black Friday deals right now too.. $100 instant rebates.

It is interesting to me.. that there is only one guy in this thread who has done it, and seems perfectly happy with it.