ychachad

My 92 Lexus LS400 came with 205-65/15. Is it possible to upgrade to fatter rubber in the rear only to 225-60/15? Has anyone tried this? I want to keep stock wheels for now. Any comments? Thanks in advance.
Y. Chachad

LIGHTYEAR

Here in the UK the standard tyre for the LS400, on mine and as per the owners manual is...

225 / 60 / 16 usually z rated

(mine is 1995 tho' with I think the increased size to 16" from 15").

I do not know whether this helps, I guess you will have to check the wheels you have got first.

LIGHTYEAR

You are right, you do have the right wheels and tyres for the year of your car - I really didn't realise that they had changed those.

Sorry, but I guess it would be ok to change, but I would have thought you would have to change the wheels as well as the tyres and not just put new rubber on the existing rear wheels.

But I am no expert - there are bound to be those with better knowledge than me on this site !!!

ychachad

Thanks for your input. However, I am still searching for a more definite answer.

tn52

If you want an answer then it's ok to use 225/60/15. The diameters are almost the same thought 225 is a little taller but why? for look? Also check the width of your wheel: if they are 7 inch across then you are ok, you 're "ballooning" your tires a bit if they are 6.5 inch...

LexJunkie

I've got 225-60 R15s on my 1990 with stock wheels. They fit just fine.

ychachad

Thanks Lex Junkie, That's exactly what I was looking for.

TN52, to answer your question, the reason I want the wider, taller tyre is several fold:
1. I want the extra rubber for better traction in the dry, and improved starts.
2. I need 2 new tyres anyway, and I might as well put two of these experimental ones on, and then replace the front two when the time comes with the 225s as well.
3. I want to fill the ugly fender gap that Japanese vehicles are notorious for, without changing rims or springs (cheapest way). My S420 Benz does not have this.
4. Suck the best mileage out of the car, since I use this car for most of my long distance runs. The larger diameter wheel has to help.
5. I am getting a great deal on the 225s with Ultra-performance rating, V-rated tyres.
6. The tyres I have right now look like they could use a little "bulge".
Take care,
Y. Chachad

ychachad

I just got the 225s installed, but not put on the car since I am going to ride out the winter snow first. Went personally to the Tirerack factory in SB, IN to get them. They do bulge a bit, however, they look much, much meatier.
Y. Chachad

LexJunkie

You are probably not going to get any improvement in milage. Bigger tires = more weight, wider = more rolling resistance. If increasing the diameter of the tire as opposed to width is important to you, you can go all the way up to 215-65R15s. Thats what my car had when I baught it (used). The speedo was right on, I mean to the mile (based on speedo reading comparisons to those roadside radar speed displays).
I personally got the 225s because I wanted a beefier stance. I agree with you on the fender wells being to big, specially on the rear of the car.