What Tire size? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

BrianAbington · 03-31-2012, 12:34 AM

My 97 civic has a set of 14" no name wheels.

The present tires are 185 65.

I want to find a set of stock 15" steel wheels so I can do smooth covers, but also to ensure availability of replacement tires. I drive this car from Omaha to Chicago every other month and am concerned that if I get a flat in the middle of nowhere there may not be a 14" tire available. Where as a 15 would be almost a universal guarantee.

Does anybody know what is the tallest skinniest 15" tire I can use on this generation of civic?

Ryland · 03-31-2012, 01:40 AM

Looks like you have stock size tires, if you are worried about getting a flat then keep your tires up to pressure as most flats are caused by low tire pressure causing side wall blow out, if you run over a nail or something then plugging the tire with a tire plug kit is a good cheap fix, I would never buy a new tire in the middle of no where just because I got a flat, that is why you have a spare! if you don't have a spare then sure, buy a used tire and make do until you can replace your tires as a pair, but if you don't have a spare then don't drive in the middle of no where!

California98Civic · 03-31-2012, 01:57 AM

14" is the stock size (I have your exact car). I find 30 tires in that size currently listed at Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels. You really don't need bigger tires for the purpose you describe. Save your cash for smooth covers, which you can also do for 14 inch wheels.

But there are other reasons to go for bigger, or narrower, or smaller, or lighter tires...

BrianAbington · 03-31-2012, 12:58 PM

I understand the reasons for up sizing, I understand the causes of flats.

I'm not to concerned about there being a weight increase, because the wheels on there now are rather heavy compared to a 15" steel rim. I always travel with a spare but in the case of debris or any road hazards shredding more than one tire I want to have a size I can easily find. I agree that tire rack is a great source for tires but I honestly buy tires from walmart because I know that no matter where I am in the country I can always get a replacement through the road hazard warranty they offer.

Sven7 · 03-31-2012, 03:51 PM

I doubt there's a street tire that's too high profile to run on a stock Civic. Just get the tallest tire you can find and slap it on. It would be a good idea to run a search on Tirerack.com because I just found some 155/80/15's on there for $77 a piece. The worst you could do is rub the inner fender in tight turning.

mcrews · 03-31-2012, 04:39 PM

only you csn tell us the tallest tire.
look under the wheel well and see where the closest obstruction is.
then measure the distance. add that to the existing diameter and multiply by .95 to give you some gap.
then go to tire rack and go to 'specs'. It shows the diameter etc on each tire

on my infiniti Q45, the bottom of the strut tower was the closest obstruction.
allowed me to runn 27.7" diameter
245/50/18 instead of 245/45/18 (26.1" dia)