Who in the hell makes a good tire in a 225/40r18?

 

1. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...66476

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...66476

 

Good for high performance or for quiet ride and tread life?

 

There are a lot of tires made in that size. Just in Tire Rack's MP and UHP categories (the top two categories for summer tires), there are 51 choices, including pretty much all of the best expensive top-of-the-line tires (Bridgestone S-03, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, Goodyear F1 GS-D3, etc) as well as the bang-for-the-buck, budget-performance tires (Kumho Ecsta SPT, Yokohama AVS ES100, etc) and the in-between (Kumho MX).

But I don't know of a single Honda/Acura automobile for which that size is a good choice.

 

it's a 96 accord....215/40r18's look ridiculous and 215/35r18 are too small.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dougb77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it's a 96 accord....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Stock tire size on a '96 Accord is either 185/70-14 or 205/60-15. In either case, the proper 18" size is 215/40-18. When you get oversized tires like the 225/40-18, they may rub on the fender well liners, they will make your car accelerate slower (just like getting taller gears), and your speedometer and odometer will be inaccurate. Stick with the 215/40-18.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dougb77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">215/40r18's look ridiculous</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, a lot of people would say that 18-inch wheels on an Accord look ridiculous. Of course, that's a matter of personal preference. But the fact is, there is virtually no difference in looks between the 215 and the 225. If you think that 10 mm difference in treadwidth makes any significant difference in looks, well... you can do a test. Put 215/40-18 on one axle and 225/40-18 on another axle (just during the test), and ask ten of your friends if anything looks different between the front wheels/tires and the rear wheels/tires, and I can guarantee you that ten out of ten won't even notice.

But hey, if you want to use the wrong size tires and make your car accelerate slower, be my guest...

 

The overall diameter on a 225/40/18 is 25.04

Most "Accords" on 18 should use this tire size for is looks a bit better and more lip protection on the wheel.

But to answer your question, the best bang for your buck is the Nitto NT555 225/40/18. Tire will last forever (treadwear 300) and is a really quiet tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hybrid-Performance.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The overall diameter on a 225/40/18 is 25.04</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not exactly, but close.

Here are the calculated outer diameter of the tire sizes under discussion here:

185/70-14 24.20 inches (stock on some '96 Accord models)
205/60-15 24.69 inches (stock on other '96 Accord models)
215/40-18 24.77 inches
225/40-18 25.09 inches

Note that these are calculated only, and do not include any adjustment for the deflection of the tire by the pavement. (Tire manufacturer specs for outer diameter vary; some adjust for deflection and others don't; some are simply calculated from the tire size while others are actual measurements.)

Now you can see why any Accord on 18-inch wheels should use 215/40-18, not 225/40-18 - because the 215/40-18 is closer in outer diameter to either stock size than the oversized 225/40-18. As noted above, the 215 series tire will result in better acceleration, less odometer and speedometer error, and less likelihood of rubbing on the fender well liners.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hybrid-Performance.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Tire will last forever (treadwear 300) and is a really quiet tire. </TD></TR></TABLE>

When shopping for tires, you need to decide on what your priorities are, before choosing a tire. For example, if you're looking for a tire that will last a long time and is quiet, you'll probably choose a different tire from someone who cares about performance (dry traction and handling, and wet traction), and low purchase price. The recommendations I provided above, for specific tires as well as for the proper size for your Accord, assume that (like most folks here on h-t.com) you are looking for good performance, and you'll note that I provided separate recommendations based on whether or not you are willing to pay more for moer performance. All of those I recommended will provide much, much better traction and handling than the Nitto 555. And most will last approximately as many miles(most have treadwear ratings around 280 or so).



Modified by nsxtasy at 8:04 AM 8/2/2005

 

215/40/18 is the proper size but you will be very limited in tire choices in this size. I recommend the Pirelli PZero Nero M&S if you go with the 215/40/18 size. This tire will be the best balance between performance and tread life in this size.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Clay@tirerack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">215/40/18 is the proper size but you will be very limited in tire choices in this size. I recommend the Pirelli PZero Nero M&S if you go with the 215/40/18 size. This tire will be the best balance between performance and tread life in this size.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Of course, we're all just guessing as far as which tire characteristics are most important to you - performance (dry traction and handling), wet performance, tread life, purchase cost, winter traction, etc.

If you're planning to use the tires in the snow and cold weather that you occasionally get in winter in Cape, and/or if you care about tread life rather than performance, then an all-season tire like the PZero Nero M+S ($128) is a good choice.

If you don't plan to use the tires in winter conditions, then there are other choices that will perform better (and as usual, it depends on how much extra you are willing to spend for better performance) - such as the Pirelli PZero Nero ($170), BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2 ($131), and Dunlop SP Sport FM901 ($102.50 after rebate promotion).

 

thanks for all the info....i ordered 215/40r18 Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S