Any difference between the two? I don't see there being a difference since the contact patch will stay the same size (except wider and not as long), but I want to make sure. TIA

 

I don't think your actual miles per gallon will be significantly different between the two sizes. However, the number of miles indicated on your odometer will be different, because the two tires are slightly different diameters; 205/50-15 is 1.6 percent smaller in diameter than 195/55-15. So even if there is no actual difference in miles per gallon, if you drive a certain distance, your odometer will register 1.6 percent more miles with 205/50-15 than with 195/55-15, so it will look like you get 1.6 percent more miles per gallon with the 205/50-15, even though it's the same distance. Hope that makes sense.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't think your actual miles per gallon will be significantly different between the two sizes. However, the number of miles indicated on your odometer will be different, because the two tires are slightly different diameters; 205/50-15 is 1.6 percent smaller in diameter than 195/55-15. So even if there is no actual difference in miles per gallon, if you drive a certain distance, your odometer will register 1.6 percent more miles with 205/50-15 than with 195/55-15, so it will look like you get 1.6 percent more miles per gallon with the 205/50-15, even though it's the same distance. Hope that makes sense.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

aka actually driving 100 miles vs your odo showing 101.6 miles

 

Yea I understand that. Hmm, I'm debating to go with 195/55 or 205/50...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatch_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm debating to go with 195/55 or 205/50...</TD></TR></TABLE>

All the differences are pretty much insignificant:

- 195/55-15 keeps the speedometer and odometer accurate, but the difference with 205/50-15 is only 1.6 percent

- 205/50-15 may give ever so slightly better cornering ability on dry pavement, but the difference is insignificant

- 195/55-15 may give ever so slightly better traction in rain or snow, but the difference is insignificant

- Depending on which tire you're considering, one size or the other may not be available or may be a few dollars cheaper

Bottom line, either one will work, and it's not a big deal either way.

I like using 195/55-15 for my street tires, and 205/50-15 for my track tires.

 

Agreed with the above post!

 

Thanks for the info nsxtasy, seems llike you know a lot about tires judging by your other posts in other tire threads. Do you work at a tire place or what? Also, how important is the speed rating? If I get tires rated to 146, is that THE limit or can they go up to 160 without problems? I know people take stock tires (that are rated for pretty low speeds) up to 140+.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatch_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you work at a tire place or what?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No. But I instruct at track events and I talk with a lot of the folks from the Tire Rack.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hatch_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how important is the speed rating? If I get tires rated to 146, is that THE limit or can they go up to 160 without problems? I know people take stock tires (that are rated for pretty low speeds) up to 140+.</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is no speed rating for 146 mph. The H rating is for 130 mph and the next higher is V, for 149 mph.

Are you really planning to drive your car faster than 149 mph? Most Honda/Acura cars can't go faster than that anyway. If you're not planning to go faster than the speed rating, then you don't have to worry about it.

You can read more about speed ratings here.

 

Yea I knew it was 14x but didn't know the exact last digit off the top of my head... I was looking at 15" Ecsta SPTs but they are only V-rated... if/when I turbocharge my car, I may take it higher than that. Should I go with a higher-rated tire?