Tire Size Recommendation for 2016 CX-9?

[csb_1237]

Hello.
I am looking for an upgraded tire for my 2016 CX-9 Touring with the 255/60 r18 tire size (the original Falkens are ). I have always had really good luck with Kumho and generally stick with that brand, in this case the Crugen HP71 is the only tire Kumho offers in this size. A close match for overall tire size (revs per mile, etc.) is the 275/55 r18, but it is 0.8" wider. Only one tire currently comes in that size, the Kumho ECSTA STX, and it is discontinued, but still available. VERY different style tire from the Crugen, obviously. My question is, has anyone out there ever tried the 275/55 tire size on their CX-9 with 18 inch wheels? If so, does it fit? Anyone?
Thanks!!

 

[PTguy]

There are approximately a hundred tire makes/models available of the correct size. (Maybe only 50 or 60.) If Kumho doesn't have your size, why not look elsewhere? By the way, in the tirerack customer rating of that category of tire in our 20" size, the Crugen HP71 was their #7 favorite...good, not great, certainly way up from the bottom #13.

The tirerack.com Tire Decision Guide remains a pretty good guide to pick tires that suit your needs:

 

[youri]

The kumho tire website isn’t working for me, but you also need to confirm the minimum wheel width for the tire. I think the mazda 18 wheel are 8 inch wide, and that may be too narrow for a 275 tire.

 

[csb_1237]

The kumho tire website isn’t working for me, but you also need to confirm the minimum wheel width for the tire. I think the mazda 18 wheel are 8 inch wide, and that may be too narrow for a 275 tire.

Thanks. That is a good catch. According to this site, it looks like the 8" wheel width would be sufficient: https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator/275-55R18

 

[N7turbo]

First, the Kumho Crugen HP71 is a good tire. And certainly for the price, the value is very good. Don't forget that you can check with local tire shops. Sometimes they will match or beat Tirerack's prices.

If you want to step up to a really good tire, look at the Continental CrossContact LX25.

Given that you only save $140 and this is at least a 5-year purchase, I would go with the Conti's. And that's without a rebate—looks like they currently have a rebate that takes these within $30 of each other.

Here is the comparison.

Now if you want to explore different sizes, shoot for a section width that matches the wheel width. That means for an 8" wheel with 9" width from edge to edge, you ideally want a 9" section width tire. The tires linked above both have a 10.2" section width on a 7.5" wheel. Add the rule of thumb of every 0.5" wheel width increase corresponding to 0.2" more section width, and you have 10.4". Given that these tires are already wider than the wheels they will be mounted on, I would not go any wider without getting wider wheels. I am not sure why Mazda does this, but if I had to guess, it's one of their tweaks for ride quality.

 

[csb_1237]

First, the Kumho Crugen HP71 is a good tire. And certainly for the price, the value is very good. Don't forget that you can check with local tire shops. Sometimes they will match or beat Tirerack's prices.

If you want to step up to a really good tire, look at the Continental CrossContact LX25.

Given that you only save $140 and this is at least a 5-year purchase, I would go with the Conti's. And that's without a rebate—looks like they currently have a rebate that takes these within $30 of each other.

Here is the comparison.

Now if you want to explore different sizes, shoot for a section width that matches the wheel width. That means for an 8" wheel with 9" width from edge to edge, you ideally want a 9" section width tire. The tires linked above both have a 10.2" section width on a 7.5" wheel. Add the rule of thumb of every 0.5" wheel width increase corresponding to 0.2" more section width, and you have 10.4". Given that these tires are already wider than the wheels they will be mounted on, I would not go any wider without getting wider wheels. I am not sure why Mazda does this, but if I had to guess, it's one of their tweaks for ride quality.

Thank you for that suggestion. I will check out the Contis!