55 vs. 50 and even 45 series tires
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
55 vs. 50 and even 45 series tires
Okay asking a question regarding the above, this is in relation to my 92 GTI.
I recently picked up a set of AME 15x8 25et front and 15et rear wheels. Now I was expecting to throw my set of 195/50/15's on them since I had a set not being used at the moment.
Well the wheels came with some nice Toyo Proxes with plenty of meat, but in a 195/55/15. Pretty beefy, lol.
Well I am from the 'Old's Cool' train of thought, and actually like some beefy tires, esp if under flares and such - and the 55 seires are kinda growing on me, they ride nice and i dont have to worry about dinging up the wheels. But I think I do need to drop the car a little more.
Anyway, after I posted pics, everyone mentioned I should do 45 series. Now I have never run anything under a 50 on a 15" wheel, just seems silly to run that thin a tire.
Anyway - my question is this, is there any real reason to do a 45 series on a 15" wheel, other than clearance if you are trying to slam a car? I admit, my car is not slammed, and I do not intend to do so, but it will come down a little more to tuck some tire under the flares.
Here's pics for views -
I recently picked up a set of AME 15x8 25et front and 15et rear wheels. Now I was expecting to throw my set of 195/50/15's on them since I had a set not being used at the moment.
Well the wheels came with some nice Toyo Proxes with plenty of meat, but in a 195/55/15. Pretty beefy, lol.
Well I am from the 'Old's Cool' train of thought, and actually like some beefy tires, esp if under flares and such - and the 55 seires are kinda growing on me, they ride nice and i dont have to worry about dinging up the wheels. But I think I do need to drop the car a little more.
Anyway, after I posted pics, everyone mentioned I should do 45 series. Now I have never run anything under a 50 on a 15" wheel, just seems silly to run that thin a tire.
Anyway - my question is this, is there any real reason to do a 45 series on a 15" wheel, other than clearance if you are trying to slam a car? I admit, my car is not slammed, and I do not intend to do so, but it will come down a little more to tuck some tire under the flares.
Here's pics for views -
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 1
From: Tracys Landing, MD
Re: 55 vs. 50 and even 45 series tires
unfortunately you probably arent going to get any help with this in this section. i dont think any 195 tire is approved by the manufacturer to be mounted on an 8" wide wheel. also a 195/45/15 tire is way smaller than the OE gti tire, also not reccomended.
so basically yes the only reason to use these tires is for looks but is unsafe, seems to be very popular in the vw community though
so basically yes the only reason to use these tires is for looks but is unsafe, seems to be very popular in the vw community though
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Re: 55 vs. 50 and even 45 series tires
Thank you for the straight forward answer. While I agree on the 195 not being right for the 8 (i was personally looking at 205/50 or 225/45) but I can see now that if I do I would ride on the fenders.
The 195/55 seem to work fine (although not recomended) and look to be close to the 'old track' cars used in the period.
I am trying to track down the specs on this specific tire (Toyo Proxes) to see what the max mounting width is, but cannot find anything. Any help there?
The 195/55 seem to work fine (although not recomended) and look to be close to the 'old track' cars used in the period.
I am trying to track down the specs on this specific tire (Toyo Proxes) to see what the max mounting width is, but cannot find anything. Any help there?
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Re: 55 vs. 50 and even 45 series tires
Stickied at the top of this forum is a topic called
Forum Rules and FAQ - READ BEFORE POSTING
It says:
Also, most 195/55-15 tires are not approved for mounting on wheels wider than 15x7.
Forum Rules and FAQ - READ BEFORE POSTING
It says:
Originally Posted by Forum Rules and FAQ - READ BEFORE POSTING
Rules
8. This is honda-tech.com, a place for sharing information about Honda and Acura cars. This isn't the place for information about wheels and tires for your grandmother's Buick or your son's Mustang; there are other websites that specialize in those cars, where people will have more specific expertise with those cars than here.
8. This is honda-tech.com, a place for sharing information about Honda and Acura cars. This isn't the place for information about wheels and tires for your grandmother's Buick or your son's Mustang; there are other websites that specialize in those cars, where people will have more specific expertise with those cars than here.
Last edited by nsxtasy; Nov 5, 2009 at 02:41 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
