Tire size question.

[Th3_Gr33k]

Does anyone know if 215/40/16 will rub. I am going to put them on the stock rims. Just wanted to know before I ordered them. Thanks a lot.

 

[RedPro5808]

Does anyone know if 215/40/16 will rub. I am going to put them on the stock rims. Just wanted to know before I ordered them. Thanks a lot.

It won't rub.

 

[Th3_Gr33k]

Do you know if 225 will?

 

[Black_Protege_5]

Will a 215 even fit on a 16x6??

 

[Th3_Gr33k]

It should fit its not that much wider.

 

[Canecreekfreak]

Both Goodyear and Kuhmo say that a 215/40/16 should be mounted on 7-8.5" width rims. I wouldn't put one of these tires on a 6" rim. Plus you throw off your speedo by 3.8%, which isn't a good idea either.

205/50/16's are ok on the 6" wide rim, though, as are 215/50/16's (although those might be too tall).

 

[xvdarkyvx]

there's a tire guide floating around here somewhere on the forums. just do a search.

 

[Mmmmmken]

Pretty big for a 16" rim... it wil fit, but a bit of sidewall bulge. Not ideal.

Will a 215 even fit on a 16x6??

 

[Th3_Gr33k]

Both Goodyear and Kuhmo say that a 215/40/16 should be mounted on 7-8.5" width rims. I wouldn't put one of these tires on a 6" rim. Plus you throw off your speedo by 3.8%, which isn't a good idea either.

205/50/16's are ok on the 6" wide rim, though, as are 215/50/16's (although those might be too tall).

Just because they say it "should" be mounted doesn't mean that you can't. Right?... I don't know the correct answer; yet. What could happen if I do? I wana lower the car and give it better handeling at the same time but most cost effective way possible. So that is the conclusion that I made. Pluse I want to make the car torqueyer, if thats even a real word. Wouldent that make sense? Plus I really dont care about the odometer, or the speed.

Basically what is the widest lowest profile tire i can put on the thing (in a nust shell)

 

[Mmmmmken]

Nothing means you can't, but a tire will perform at it's optimum mounted on the right rim. If the tire is too wide for the rim, the sidewall won't do what it's supposed to do. It will bulge and flex, so don't expect it to perform correctly. Also, too large or too small will throw the speedo way off, and can effect all aspects of performance. The tire guys don't just make this stuff up. If you want way wider tires, get way wider rims, and make the necessary adjustments.

Just because they say it "should" be mounted doesn't mean that you can't. Right?... I don't know the correct answer; yet. What could happen if I do? I wana lower the car and give it better handeling at the same time but most cost effective way possible. So that is the conclusion that I made. Pluse I want to make the car torqueyer, if thats even a real word. Wouldent that make sense? Plus I really dont care about the odometer, or the speed.

Basically what is the widest lowest profile tire i can put on the thing (in a nust shell)

 

[Th3_Gr33k]

I guess ill stick with the 205 for now then.

 

[aMaff]

if you wanna see how tires will affect ur speedo, check here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Some one seriously should sticky that.

And the 215-40 will fit, but will be short, and ur speedo will be off. Your gearing will be better tho for accelleration, however u'll rev higher to do the same speed (aka ur highway mileage will suck). Better get something closer to stock size like 215-45 if you really want the 215. 205 is probably a better choice.

FYI I am getting 215-40 Race Comp tires as soon as my current ones are shot. It'll be interesting getting something w/ that stiff sidewall onto a 6" rim, but I've seen worse... (225/50 on a 14x5.5 wheel lol)

 

[Th3_Gr33k]

if you wanna see how tires will affect ur speedo, check here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Some one seriously should sticky that.

And the 215-40 will fit, but will be short, and ur speedo will be off. Your gearing will be better tho for accelleration, however u'll rev higher to do the same speed (aka ur highway mileage will suck). Better get something closer to stock size like 215-45 if you really want the 215. 205 is probably a better choice.

FYI I am getting 215-40 Race Comp tires as soon as my current ones are shot. It'll be interesting getting something w/ that stiff sidewall onto a 6" rim, but I've seen worse... (225/50 on a 14x5.5 wheel lol)

So the 215 will fit fine and it wont have a bad sidewall?
PS like the rims and the track radials that are wrapped arround them

 

[overdrivex]

people do this all the time where they put wider tires on smaller rims. just dont over do it and make sure you get a tire with a strong side wall becuase this adds alot more stress on the sidewall 215/40 will work good. but no more than that. sidewall will be to big with 215/45 this will allow to much flex

 

[Jack Daniels]

I would not go larger than a 205. It will look silly and handle poorly.

 

[aMaff]

So the 215 will fit fine and it wont have a bad sidewall?
PS like the rims and the track radials that are wrapped arround them

haha, they're not r-comps....yet. They are falken azenis...which are almost the next best thing lol.

I would not go larger than a 205. It will look silly and handle poorly.

unless you get something with REALLY stiff sidewalls, your turn in would be aweful w/ the 215.

 

[goldstar]

Every given sized tire has a specific range of rim widths on which it can be mounted. These rim width recommendations are established through testing by the Tire and Rim Association, an organization to which all major tire manufacturers belong. These recommendations are independent of the particular brand of wheel or tire used.

According to Yokohama, http://www.yokohamatire.com/utrimwidth.asp
"Failure to follow rim width recommendations may result in poor tire performance or possible wheel and/or tire failure." Note also that recommended rim width ranges are based not only on tire width but also on aspect ratio. Yokohama goes on to say that to provide a good balance between performance and ride quality, the rim width should be 90% as wide as the tread width of the tire employed.

An inspection of the accompanying table will show, as already stated, that while a 205/50 tire would be acceptable on a 6" wide rim, a 205/45, a 215/45 or a 215/40 tire would all require a minimum 7" wide rim.

One of the best things about these tire threads is that, no matter how many times recommended tire/rim combos are discussed, someone always comes along who has placed a monster tire on a skinny rim, swears the handling performance and longevity are the best he's ever obtained and states that he would definitely buy that same tire again. So there.

 

[aMaff]

One of the best things about these tire threads is that, no matter how many times recommended tire/rim combos are discussed, someone always comes along who has placed a monster tire on a skinny rim, swears the handling performance and longevity are the best he's ever obtained and states that he would definitely buy that same tire again. So there.

No one said that. At least, unless I missed a post somewhere along the line. The "monster tires" I was talkin about were r-comps. The insanely stiff sidewall negates the squirmyness that you would feel on a street tire w/ that much rubber hangin out under the wheel. Like I said, unless it has a really stiff sidewall (and would then ride really rough, but would handle better), better stick to the 205 45

 

[goldstar]

aMaff, I wasn't referring to you. I was thinking of certain other threads where this situation has come up and was predicting that it would happen again here. No personal reference was intended.

 

[aMaff]

none taken. I also wanted to clarify what I had said.