Tire sizing and wheel options
02-05-09, 08:42 PM
#1
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Tire sizing and wheel options
I have a 2002 RX300 , OEM tire size is 225/70/16 and I am considering the following:
1) Moving to 235/70/16 for a little larger size and footprint. If I go with a slightly larger width, 235 vs 225, how does this affect the handling and ride of the vehicle? Does moving to a wider tire affect gas mileage?
2) Considering purchase of RX330 17" or 18" wheels so that I can move to a lower profile tire vs the thick sidewalls of the 16" tires. Will these rims fit my '02? I understand the lower profile will result in a firmer ride. Will the difference be significant and uncomfortable?
I understand that going to a different size tire will affect the actual speed of the vehicle. I also used the tire calculator on Tires.com (http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos) to see the comparison for the options above, with variance of speed being slight -about 1/2 mpm under to 1 1/4 mph over. I have to ask...is there any way to calibarate the speedometer and trip computer if I change to larger tires? I think of this topic every time I see one of the funny looking late 80s or early 90s land yatchs that someone has put 20" or 22" wheels on...how do they honestly know how fast they are traveling???
Has anyone moved to larger tires and experience this issue?
1) Moving to 235/70/16 for a little larger size and footprint. If I go with a slightly larger width, 235 vs 225, how does this affect the handling and ride of the vehicle? Does moving to a wider tire affect gas mileage?
2) Considering purchase of RX330 17" or 18" wheels so that I can move to a lower profile tire vs the thick sidewalls of the 16" tires. Will these rims fit my '02? I understand the lower profile will result in a firmer ride. Will the difference be significant and uncomfortable?
I understand that going to a different size tire will affect the actual speed of the vehicle. I also used the tire calculator on Tires.com (http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos) to see the comparison for the options above, with variance of speed being slight -about 1/2 mpm under to 1 1/4 mph over. I have to ask...is there any way to calibarate the speedometer and trip computer if I change to larger tires? I think of this topic every time I see one of the funny looking late 80s or early 90s land yatchs that someone has put 20" or 22" wheels on...how do they honestly know how fast they are traveling???
Has anyone moved to larger tires and experience this issue?
02-06-09, 06:17 AM
#2
Your speedometer is probably not that accurate to start... most vehicle manufacturers specify something like +/- 5%, which those tire sizes are well within... a 235/70-16 will probably not be noticeable if you stay with the same everything else... Going to a different brand or better tire in the same brand would be more noticeable, but, IMO, go ahead and get the 235's anyways, every little bit helps... as far as 17's and 18's, well, there is still a good amount of sidewall, but the ride does get firmer. You are the only one that can say if it will be too much or not... Me personally, I have quite low profile 19" tires and wheels and it is not too stiff, but, almost anyone else gets in the car and they mention how tight the car feels...
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