Hey guys. I am in the process getting a set of winter tires (debating between Nokian R2 and Michelin X-Ice Xi3). As you know the stock sizes are: 215/45 and 245/40. I am thinking of going little taller: 215/50 and 245/45 to get more ground clearance. Question is: will these rub? I want to be sure before getting them.

Here are the dimensions of stock vs taller tires (got these from a tire-size calculator site):
stock:
215/45
Diameter = 24.6" Width = 8.46" Wheel = 17" Sidewall = 3.81" Circumference = 77.3" Revs/Mile = 819.7
245/40
Diameter = 24.7" Width = 9.65" Wheel = 17" Sidewall = 3.86" Circumference = 77.6" Revs/Mile = 816.4

taller:
215/50:
Diameter = 25.5" Width = 8.46" Wheel = 17" Sidewall = 4.23" Circumference = 80" Revs/Mile = 792.4
245/45 = 5.444
Sidewall = 4.34"
Diameter = 25.7" Width = 9.65" Wheel = 17" Sidewall = 4.34" Circumference = 80.6" Revs/Mile = 785.7

As you can see, an inch of difference between these two (9/10th in the front). There seems to be enough clearance in the wheel well. What you guys think? And, my apologies if this question has been asked before (did some searching; nothing came up).

Thanks a lot. cheers. henry.

 

you can fit 26" inch tires no problem. Lots of drag guys run 26 inch tires. I run 275/40/17 tires on the street which is a common size for the s2000 and they are a 25.5-25.7 inch tire. 275/35/18 is also a commo. Size for us and that's a 25.7 inch tire.

 

Awesome! Thanks a lot, 'riceball'; appreciate it.

 

You will have snow build up in the wheel wells so I would think they could rub. I would say narrower tires are always best so you could look at 205/50R17 and 225/45R17 for the best traction. If I can help let me know.

 

Yes narrower would be better to help clearance when you get snow packed up around the fenders, and help you bite down into the surface for better traction. Wider tires may be good for the street, but not in the snow on a small rwd car. More weight over a smaller contact patch is just better overall. Airing the tires down a bit will help the tire find and grip more irregularities in the surface for better traction as well, and allow the sidewall to flex a little more before the tire would break traction. In that respect taller/more sidewall is also better.

 

Thanks, Jim and s2000Junky.

Yes, it makes sense to go narrower than stock.

Jim:
The sizes you quoted sound good. I can go for them. If memory serves me right, I got the current set of Blizzaks from you. I am leaning toward Nokian R2s. Have sent a PM to you.

s2000Junky:
Nokian actually recommends higher pressure when filling indoor (heated garage, for example). This is to compensate the temperature variation between indoor and outdoor ambient.

Thanks.

 

Tire pressure has a minimum safe threshold to let the tire effectively stay beeded on the rim (off road bead locks aside) beyond that, tire pressure is a recommendation based on a general comon application. Base your tire pressure on the driving conditions if you want the best performance. When driving in really adverse conditions like snow, you can throw a generic tire pressure out the window. Tires like blizzacs or other narrow specific tires will have a different tire pressure they are most effective with vs running a summer or all season in the same conditions.

 

Thanks, dude. Nokian's tire pressure recommendation is based primarily on temperature. Here is the quote from their FAQ:

--
Temperature has a significant impact on tyre pressurisation. For summer tires, we recommend using the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested tyre pressure. For winter tires, you should inflate the tires to 0.2 bar above the summer tyre recommendation. The temperature in a warm garage can be up to 30 ˚C higher than outside. If the tyre pressure is measured inside, it will be too low for outside temperatures.
--

cheers.