I've done a few searches and I dont know if I've answered my question fully. I'm thinking of putting 225/50/R17 tires on my 03.5 SEDAN 6MT with stock 17" 5 spoke rims. A size of 235/50/R17 would be closer to the stock diameter but the tire buldge doesn't work for me. I know that this size is off from the stock diameter by about 7/16". After doing some searching, it seems like this will affect my speedometer and other functions of the car (abs?).

My question is, what exactly will this effect? Using the tire size calculator, I found that the speedo will read about 1.7% faster. So when it reads 60, I'll actually be going 59. Is this normal? Will it affect my VDC / ABS / other electronics? Is it "safe" to run this size? Sorry for all the questions, thanks for your replies!

~Aux

 

I ran a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's in 225/55R17 as my second set of tires. Same difference, other direction. When the speedo read 60, I was going 61. VDC/ABS are not affected. You can go up to 3% off the stock diameter and still be fine, though I personally wouldn't want my speedo that far off.

The only other effect you might notice is that the wider your tires are, the more they tend to want to follow grooves in the pavement, this is called "tramlining." I didn't notice it going from 215 to 225, but now I'm running 235/50R17, and there is a very slight pull on a couple of spots on the freeway where the grooves are not parallel to the lanes. Not a big deal.

I like the extra bulge of the 235's... makes it hard to damage the rims.

 

I have 235/50 ZR17s on my stock 17 inch rims. The ride is pretty good. I just bought some new wheels, 5Zigen 17X8s. My Pirelli 235/50 s will fit perfectly now! This size tire will cause less than 2% speedo error doing 60 mph. Perfectly safe!

 

Thank you very much for your replies! I just purchased a set of Yokohama AVID V4S at 225/50/R17. These things are amazing compared to the Taraunza's I was running. They were touted as a good all season tire with excellent dry traction. In driving 150 miles today, they are quieter, have a better ride, and most importantly, corner better!

~Aux

 

Hello AuxNuke and anyone else out there that can help... how are the Yokohama's working out? I am going through a tough time finding tires in Jamaica and will have to import them. I have a 2003.5 Skyline Sedan with 215/55/17's on the front with 225/55/17's on the back. Most of the searches come up with the Yokohama's or the F1 Goodyear's. Any suggestions would be appreciated.