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Can i put 215/55/16 on my wheels that have 205/55/16 right now? what would it help.

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Old 07-23-2008, 10:42 AM
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Default Why do you think the ride and handling will be better?

There is much more to these than 10 mm of additional width. You also need to consider weight and rotational mass, as well as the compostion of the tire.
Old 07-23-2008, 10:45 AM
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so stick with the 205?
Old 07-23-2008, 10:51 AM
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Default Up to you.

I tend to stay with the stock sizes.

I just wanted to clarify that tire size is only part of what goes into handling and ride.
Old 07-23-2008, 10:55 AM
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Default Contact patch does not change significantly

Contact patch size is more a function of the weight placed on the tire and the air pressure in the tire. The shape of the contact patch changes and that's what is significant when it comes to snow and water. Some empirical data I've seen indicates that contact patch size is slightly bigger with wider tires but the increase is not significant.
Old 07-23-2008, 11:27 AM
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i see
Old 07-23-2008, 11:49 AM
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Default I had 215's on my 2.8, but I wouldn't go any wider. Minimal increase in footprint,

but also more weight/drag, which a 2.8 or 3.0 don't need really. Bottom line, I'd tend not to do it again.
Old 07-23-2008, 12:45 PM
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Default Certainly. In most years that was in fact the factory size.

in any event, as long as all 4 change, it works very well. Better than stock IMO. Your gearing will be about 1.2% higher, and your speedo will read correspondingly lower. Big whoop. The tire swill have a higher load rating, which makes them more resistant to wheel damage on potholes. They may stick better but that's probably negligible.

Grant
Old 07-23-2008, 12:47 PM
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Default You need to learn more about how tires are sized and specified

Section height ( sidewall height) is defined as a % of width. So if you change width, you change height, unless you then LOWER the section % - say from 55 to 50. But then its too SMALL.

Read up on DOT specifications, from sizing to load rating to quality grades, etc.

Then you can do the math easily with high school math.

Grant
Old 07-23-2008, 12:48 PM
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Default I find it is better in practice.

yes, it increases mass, but heck, going to 17s or 18s or 19s is much more significant, and most people here do that every day.

Grant
Old 07-23-2008, 12:50 PM
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Default Fantastic tires. I recently put them on my S6

In a -1 ( 16") configuration but oversized, as you are contemplating, from a "stock" size of 235/50-16 to what I bought: 245/50-16.

Grant


Quick Reply: Can i put 215/55/16 on my wheels that have 205/55/16 right now? what would it help.



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