Honda: Tire Modifications and Size Calculator

This article applies to the Honda Civic/Del Sol (1992-2000), and Accord (1990-2002).

Before you decide on the next set of tires for your car, you'll want to take several factors into consideration. Some of the most important criteria for many car owners are the price and performance. If you're shopping on a budget, you might be tempted to shell out the least amount of dough as possible. However, doing so could compromise your car's safety, especially on wet or snow-covered roads. It's also a good idea to stick with the same-size tires, especially if you want to use them with your favorite set of rims.

Types of Tires

Tires fall into four main categories: performance, low profile, winter/snow, and all-season.

• Performance tires are best for drivers who want speed and maneuverability on the road, which have more narrow as well as shallow channels allowing for better grip. However, they also have a shorter lifespan and lower tread wear ratings.
• Low profile tires have higher aspect ratios and thicker sidewalls. They look sleek and easily accommodate large brakes, but the ride is harsher.
• Winter tires have a high sipe density (thin 90° cuts along the tread), which gives better traction in the winter. They're pricey, but a smart investment if you do a lot of driving during the winter.
• If you're seeking a tire with year-round grip and a long tread life without compromising a smooth ride, the all-season tire is your best bet.

Understanding Tire Sizes

You might have seen the array of letters and numbers on the sides of the car's tires. But what do they actually mean? In short, the string of numbers and letters on the tire's sidewall represent the tire's size, type, as well as performance. Larger aspect ratios mean bigger tire sidewalls. Low profile (and some performance) tires have thin sidewalls, which make them look sleek, but often decreases the ride quality.

Here is an example (P185/60R15) using Figure 2:

• The letter "P" at the beginning indicates that the tire adheres to specific U.S. manufacturing standards for "passenger cars."
• The width of the tire is the first number. In this case it is 185 inches.
• Next, is the aspect ratio (60). This number tells you that the height is equal to 60 percent of the width of the tire.
• The letter "R" means radial. The layers run radially across the tire.
• The final number is the wheel diameter, or the size of the wheel when it's measured from one end to the next. This wheel has a 15-inch diameter.

Which Tires are Best for Your Civic or Accord

There's no single correct answer when you're figuring out which tires are best for your Honda. Budget, appearance, and performance are often the deciding factors for most drivers. Some drivers are loyal to specific brands, especially the Falken Azenis tires. But it's not uncommon for Civic owners to stock up on a few different types of tires like all-season tires for fall as well as winter, and performance or low-profile tires for warmer weathers.

Many drivers also note that the stock Civic and Accord tires are affordable, have decent grip on wet surfaces, and tend to last quite a long time.

Tire and Rim Size Calculator

If you're buying new tires, you want to make sure that you're purchasing the correct size. You can use a Honda tire/rim calculator to determine how your speedometer reading will change if you alter the size of your wheels and tires. With this calculator, you can easily compare the stock size tires (or the size of your current tires) to the new tires you're considering.

Related Discussions and Site

• Tire Rim Calculator - Honda-Tech.com
• Help with Tires - Honda-Tech.com
• How to Read Tire Sizes - GoodYearAutoServiceCenter.com