Tire size suggestions please. - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

sully06 · 12-17-2013, 02:47 AM

So my car stock has 195/70 14 I bought Honda Civic Hybrid rims same bolt pattern they are 15s same width and lighter since they are aluminum. So the stock size on that rim is 195/65 15 which is only .3 inches taller I'm thinking that's not enough of a difference to notice a difference in mpg so 195/70 15 is almost non existent next logical choice is 205/65 15 which is .8 inches taller but I've also gained some width which I really didn't want to do. Any ideas? Suggestions? Definitely want to go with a LRR tire either way. Thanks for any input

nathan01xl · 12-17-2013, 03:37 AM

i am no expert but what i have heard is that the tire matters more than the size for LRR. that being said, for regearing purposes i would probably try to go with a 195/70r15

CapriRacer · 12-17-2013, 08:24 AM

Yes, the tire matters much more than the size - and you should try to get into a size that is very popular.

But as a general rule, bigger is better. According to Discount Tire, a 205/65R15 is too big, but a 195/65R15 will fit without rubbing.

According to Tire Rack, there are 26 tires that are LRR in a 195/65R15. Just be aware that LRR is a relative term and than you need to compare the wear ratings and the traction ratings to get an idea of where the RR is. You'll need to choose what compromise works best for you.

mcrews · 12-17-2013, 08:40 AM

Have you looked in the wheel well to how much clearance you might have to start with???

arcosine · 12-17-2013, 09:15 AM

205/70R15 or 165/80R15 Check the clearance on the upper ball joint or the Civic Forums for tires sizes the racers put in. I have 205/70R15 on my Saturn that has 185/65R15 stock. I needed spacers to get the scrub radius back down. This is 11% bigger diameter. I got an old tire for free and mounted it on a rim to see if it fit, and it did.

elhigh · 12-17-2013, 10:05 AM

Bear in mind this will throw off your speedo and odo readings. If you're tracking your mileage via GPS, well and good. Otherwise you're going to have to do a little math.

sully06 · 12-17-2013, 12:23 PM

Gonna try and answer all the replies here.

195/70 15 was my next choice but there aren't many that size like someone else commented I should get a common size tire.

I wouldn't have thought a 205/65/15 would be too big its only .39 inches wider. My friend has the same car with 17s he said he doesn't rub unless the car is heavily loaded.

I haven't measured the wheel well but I did eyeball it and it looks like I have plenty of room. Some Camrys of this year came with 15s

205/70 15 is 1.6 inches taller and I believe they would fit without rubbing I will add that I put 2 inches rubber spacers in the back to stiffen the springs.

Yeah I will be using gps when I put these tires on.

Would 205/70 15 be overkill or will I still see gains with the 205/65 15? Tire wise I'm thinking about Michelin Defenders I have a set on my wife's car they have been good and at 90k miles won't have to worry with them for a long time. Thanks for all your replies.

Here's the specs on the Defenders in 205/70 15

Size: 205/70R15
LRR: Green X
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
Serv. Desc: 96T
UTQG: 820 A B

Anyone have any real life experience with Yokohama AVID Ascend? they are 30 dollars cheaper per tire for the same size

mcrews · 12-17-2013, 06:05 PM

Remember, only 1/2 of the 1.6 inches is on the top of the tire. So I cant imagine clearance would be a problem.
also,You need at least a 5% larger diameter to show real mpg improvement.

need to be looking at the 215/70/15. that is just over 5% of the stock 15 inch tire.

215/70R15

98T SL
Max Load = 1,653 lbs
Max psi = 44 psi

680 A B 1653 lbs.
44 psi
11.5/32"
24 lbs. 5.5-7"
6.5"
8.7"
7.2"
26.9" (25.5 diameter for stock 15 " tire)
774

California98Civic · 12-17-2013, 07:13 PM

A wider tire will produce more aero drag, and a heavier wheel will lose more in rotational mass. You want light, tall, narrow, and LRR... or the best combo of them all. How heavy are the 14" wheels versus the 15" wheels?

sully06 · 12-17-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrews

Remember, only 1/2 of the 1.6 inches is on the top of the tire. So I cant imagine clearance would be a problem.
also,You need at least a 5% larger diameter to show real mpg improvement.

need to be looking at the 215/70/15. that is just over 5% of the stock 15 inch tire.

215/70R15

98T SL
Max Load = 1,653 lbs
Max psi = 44 psi

680 A B 1653 lbs.
44 psi
11.5/32"
24 lbs. 5.5-7"
6.5"
8.7"
7.2"
26.9" (25.5 diameter for stock 15 " tire)
774

Might that be too wide and cancel out my fuel savings?