17" tires - G35Driver - Infiniti G35 & G37 Forum Discussion

Jan 15, 2003 | 07:26 PM

Rodster

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17" tires

If you want to stay with 17inchers, what's the best setup...225 50 17 / 245 45 17 / others?

Jan 16, 2003 | 06:03 PM

ryoken

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From: San Diego, CA

Re: 17" tires

I'm interested in staying with the stock 17" rims, myself. My understanding is that you shouldn't go wider than 225 on the front, or it won't clear the suspension. Anybody know the truth to that? I also hear that sedans should keep the same tires front and rear, or at least keep the same wheel diameter, or the VDC system goes haywire. Coupe's VDC is programmed to handle soffset tire sizes.

The thing that bugs me, is that 235/50R17 seems like the right diameter to go to, to keep the speedometer, etc., correct. However, it's wider than 225 on the front. Tire Rack's website suggests the 235's, but rumor is that Infiniti recommends no wider than 225 on the front. And, since there are only 3 tire choices in a 215/55R17, there's not much room to maneuver.

Here's hoping that either A) Infiniti says 235 is okay, or B) tire manufacturers start making more choices in the stock size.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

Jan 16, 2003 | 09:21 PM

cadillaccarl2001

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Re: 17" tires

I just installed a set of Michelin Pilot Sport a/s's in a 245/45/R17. I wanted to go as wide as possible because I put a full set of painted splash sheilds on. They all clear front and rear and the vdc still works but with the wider tire the car does tend to follow the road a lot more, Michigan roads aren't that great at all.[img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Jan 16, 2003 | 09:33 PM

ryoken

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From: San Diego, CA

Re: 17" tires

What happens if you turn the wheel all the way to one side and fully compress the suspension? Is the edge of the tire going to catch on some little bolt in the wheel well or rub up against some bar? Anybody know why Infiniti is saying stick to 225 as the max width in the front?

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

Jan 17, 2003 | 06:03 PM

cadillaccarl2001

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Re: 17" tires

Nothing happens when I turn lock to lock but I don't think the suspension was fully compressed [img]/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/img]??. The width recommendation by Infiniti is probably to keep the factory correct suspension geometry. To avoid having the car follow the road like mine does now.

Jan 17, 2003 | 08:32 PM

Gordgee

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From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Re: 17" tires

Carl:
I'm also interested in whether going to that wide a tire has impacted your gas mileage? If you could track it for a while and post your findings, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Gord

Jan 17, 2003 | 08:55 PM

cadillaccarl2001

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Re: 17" tires

I'll keep an eye on it Gordgee but I don't think the wider tire will really afffect my gas mileage. I think the height is very close to stock.[img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

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Jan 18, 2003 | 12:47 PM

Gordgee

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From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Re: 17" tires

I figured that because of the extra width, there would be extra drag from the tires, particularly the non-driven (front) wheels. Someone else posted a while back about a noticeable reduction of gas mileage going to 225s. I was surprised that this would be noticeable, but I figured that a significant increase might be. My intention would probably be to go to 235s.
Anyway, keep me posted. BTW, how significant is the 'tramlining' (following the road surfaces) effect? Is it just big imperfections in the road? Noticeable all the time? Tiring after a few hours at the wheel?

Thanks again, Gord