1. When I was researching tires for my son's 09 Scion tc, I found out that his tires are the same as the stock AP2 fronts: 215/45x17.
2. I wanted him to get the Continentals since they are rated the best A/S for snow, but they are back ordered to the max, whether it's T.Rack or Discount Tire.
3. We were going to have to get another tire, but the guy at Discount Tire suggested going up to a 225/50, so, even though it was $20 more per tire, we, or rather, he did.
4. What I'm wondering is, I went up to a 225/45 in the front on my S, but I wasn't told that going up to a 225/50 was an option for the S. Is this b/c it would be too high and rub?
5. The same for the rear, I went up to the 255/40, could I go 255/45 in the rear, or no, b/c of the same reasons as the front?
6. Since my son could go up on both numbers not just the front, I wanted to know why I've heard of talk of moving up only the 1st #, and not the 2nd as well.

 

The 225/50R17 is way too big for the TC. You could go with the 225/45R17 but wider will not work as good in the snow. It will handle better the rest of the year.

You would not want to go up on the aspect ratio on the S2K either. Not a good move.
If I can help let me know.

 

Yeah you are increasing the overall diameter of the tire which can effect the gearing and the accuracy of the speedo. He should go back and have them take those tires off and put tires on that are the right size.

 

1. They didn't have the stock size instock; backlogged everywhere, if we are talking about the Continentals, and we really wanted that tire, they were rated the best for light and deep snow, and that was my concern; he doesn't race his Scion tc around; he's like me, badk and forth to work, and in his case, only.

 

A taller sidewall is going to give zero performance gain in any condition. Taller sidewall = a more comfortable ride and not much else.

 

1. Performance for my 27 year old son going back and forth to work is of 0 concern.
2. Compared to the S, I certainly understand your point, but for "normal" people, ha!, it's not an issue.
3. In fact, I miight even go with a 255/45 for the S next Summer when I order my rears, but the last tiime I checked it was much more, whereas with my Michelin Pilot Sports A/S it was only $5/tire more.
4. Since I don't need the snow aspect (I have 2 sets of snows: Bridgestones,and Dunlops) I will get the Potenza Pole Position 960 A/S, since I want the wear and don't care what I'm giving up on performance driving back and forth to work, ha! (I didn't even kknow they had A/S for the S). They do cost more than the Michelins I have now, but I'll get a cheaper tire when I retire, ha!

 

1. Hi Jim, I recognize your name from the other S site that I mostly deal with, and have read your helpful threads before, here and there.
2. I understand your comment in the context of performance, and cutting the corners hard, but the use of this tire is very benign, just driving back and forth to work; hopefully, the use of this tire for this is acceptable, because we did up from the stock 215/45 to the 225/50, which you say is too big, which can't be becuase of the fitting (he's driving on them), but must be from a performance perspective.
3. I know I can't go up from 215/45 to 225/50 on the front of my S b/c of rubbing issues (I now run the 224/45), and on the rears I went from the 245/40 to the 255/40, but I want to go up to the 45, even 50 in it.
4. I don't drive hard either, but harder than my son around an occasional corner, and according to your input, I suppose you would advise me to control myself and stop at the 225/45.

 

1. Thanks for the Continental site you sent, they are out there also.