If this is in the wrong place, move it. I just figured I'd get a good answer here from people who actually push the limits of their tires.

what is the advantage/disadvantage to running a tire sized other than stock.

stock:195/65/15
upsize: 205/60/15

both tires give you approimately the same outter diameter so I assumed the difference is the upsize would give you a larger (slightly) contact patch. I could give 2 ***** about appearance, and I don't think you'd be able to see any diff even if there was much of one. I'm just looking for some facts

 

Depending on the offset of your wheel and ride height, you can fit 225/50/15 on an Accord. I barely rub on mine when turning the wheel all the way (don't know what offset my wheels are, 1.5" drop).

Nice wide tire and most tires come in that size (NOT the Azeni's!). Your gearing will be changed enough to compensate for the grandma gearing on the Accord tranny.

if this is not for racing, 205/60/15 is great for the street. If you have a lot of rain or snow, i would stay with 195/65/15.


[Modified by WuWarrior, 4:47 PM 11/5/2002]

 

Well I've got a 6th gen so my wheel wells are a little bit bigger but similar setup. OEM EX wheels and a prokit drop. I probably wouldn't rub at all with a 225/50 based on your experiences

this is for the street and I don't want my speedo to be off much though. based on you rain/snow comment, I assume I'm right about the bigger contact patch. Is it going to make that much difference one way or another. am I going to notice much more grip in the dry?

 

Your speedometer wont be off by much until you get upto highway speeds. I'm not sure exactly how far off it will be. mine shows half the speed i'm normally going but that has nothing to do with the tire size (can't figure out why)

a wider contact patch will have a harder time in rain/snow. the wider the tire, the more water/snow it has to plow through. If you look at the rally cars when they race in the snow, they use the most narrow tire allowed.

on the other hand, the wider tire will give you noticably better grip and handling on dry roads.

it's up to you.

 

http://www.secret-secret.com/turbo/D...turbotire.html

Use that to figure out speedometer error.

 

larger contact patch, no. your contact patch depends on the psi you're running and the weight of your car. same weight + same psi + different tires = same sized patch.

the width of the contact patch can be altered with different sized tires.

someone please correct me if i'm wrong.


[Modified by JMU1337, 2:02 AM 11/6/2002]

 

Ok I see your point but I'm not so sure about it.

assuming car weight and tire pressure are the same. and sidewall distortion (is that the right term) is equal. wouldn't the wider contact patch provide more area?

assume the patch is perfectly rectangular, then area is just width x length. its a really big assumption but i think it's close enough. in this equation, why would length change. I admit I don't know the answer. it just seems like it wouldn't change.

 

someone tell us, we both obviously aren't sure.

 

you'll notice more grip in the dry with a bigger contact patch (i.e. wider tire). Pressure is a tuning tool, and you cant really use it to 'maximize' contact patch and on the track you use pressure to keep tire temps in teh right range.