Vehicle is 2012 Honda Accord sedan. Car comes from the factory with 2 tire sizes, 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 and mine has the 225. It is about time to replace tires so I thought I might as well try 215s out, but there aren't quite the right size out there. My options were 215/50 and 215/55, conveniently being 1.5%(circumf.) shorter and longer than OEM size, respctively.
I am inclined to go with 215/50 because I noticed how the car likes to slip out of the lockup clutch & sometimes downshift especially on an interstate where I am not legally allowed(speed limit) to store enough kinetic energy to help me up the hill in advance
I listed some things I could think of but would like to run them by ecomodders before I pull the trigger.
Pros
- 1lb lighter around the outside of wheel assy (unsprung too!!)
- $30 cheaper per set (give or take)
- 6/32" lowering (approx.)
- 1.5% more torque available at a given vehicle speed to help with climbing
- less rolling resistance (less sidewall, width)
- less air resistance (width, lowering of vehicle)
Cons
- odometer inflation (100,000 -> 101,500)
- less maximum traction available
- 6/32" more wheel arch gap increasing air resistance
Please let me know if I am missing anything.