Another tire help question.

[Ugly Golf]

I have a 2010 Ford Focus SES with 5 speed manual. Looking to get new tires soon and would like some suggestions on the best LRR for a 17" wheel. Used the search feature and most of the results are for 13-16" tires that are not available in a 17". I have snow tires for the car in the winter on a separate set of wheels so winter traction does not concern me for these tires.

Looking for long tread life and the best LRR I can get. Current size on the car is 215/45/17. I think I also want to switch to a 205/50/17 which is about a half inch taller and a half inch narrower.

All responses welcome.

I might also be into switching to a 15" steel wheel if the benefits would be greater for max fuel economy but it would be my first choice to stick with the 17" wheels because I already have them.

[ksa8907]

The tires im most interested in are continental truecontact, or michelin defender would be good.

Do you drive more highway or city?

[2000mc]

Pirelli p7 vs mich premier vs pure contact - all come in 205s, michelin and Pirelli in 215s
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=188

The truecontact avail in 215 45 17 beating its competition
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...t.jsp?ttid=189

If you don't have any concederations other than mileage, I would go for the smallest mich energy saver in a 17 which is a 215 50 17.

[Ugly Golf]

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up switching to 15" rims for a larger tire selection and also much cheaper tires compared to the 17". I went with the Goodyear assurance LRR tires in a 205/65/15. Improved the pot hole handling also. Only test drove them so far but they seem to coast much better than the stock 215/45/17 Kumho tires that the car came with. The new tires are 1" taller and about 3/4 of an inch narrower. Hoping for lower RPM on the highway and maybe a little better aero. Also the new wheel and tire combo is 4 lbs lighter per corner.

[bikeprof]

Ugly Golf, I also went to 15's to have tire choices.
Also, wheels I bought were lighter than steelies and most other alum wheels.
Close to ~16lbs of ROTATING mass was lost, that was nice...

[Eddie25]

I say reduce to 15 inch. tyre would be cheaper and it will be a lot lighter. you can also then modify pizza dish type hubcaps for better aero. this guy saved going from 17 to 16

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...read-7868.html