Shorter side wall will be slightly stiffer, thus giving slightly better turn in response.

 

Granted I like the idea of this, however am I correct in assuming the ride would be stiffer with less side wall. Also would you be more subject to tweakin a wheel?

 

I think they should have sent the 225-50-17 on G sedan to being with.... and lowered the car about .25 inch.... it would have been perfect.

 

Your gearing will be effectively lower. If you have stock 3.31 gears with 55 tires, your gearing will be around 3.40 with 45 size tires.

 

So if I'm understanding all the comments, the consensus is that I should go with the 235/50/17 to give me a bit more rubber on the ground while keeping my speedo relatively accurate.

Thanks

 

That is personal preference. This route will give you a little more rubber, the same ride qaulity, and an accurate speedometer.

 

Thanks. I think that I'll go with the 235/50/17 tires.

 

I went from the original 215/55/17 (EL-42's- they were horrible in the wet) to avon m&s 235/50/17 . I like the tire as I use it year-round in CT and it was fine throught the snow. I have noticed a larger drop in pure highway mpg. On long trips with cruise set at 69 or so I use to get 28.5-29 mpg. last week at best was 25.6 mpg. now the 29 was with summer blend fuel and last week was with winter blend, but overall, there was about a 2 mpg drop.

 

If your going to go 235 up front i would go with 45 profile. 235/45 should be closer to the stock wheel diameter. 50 profile might even be larger then stock wheel diameter.


I believe the rule of thumb is for every profile you go up or down say 55 to 50 you add 10 to the tire width 215-225. Doing this should keep the diameter of the tire the same.

 

^+1. The 45s look much nicer, and the added response quite noticable.

 

So if I go with the 45s will it rub on the front? Someone previously mentioned that it may effect the navigation speedo more.

 

^^ why would it rub??? You're going smaller, more clearance. 235/45/17.. best combo.

 

Based on theoretical diameters. Your speedo would read about 3.5 percent low or indicated 60 would be about 57.8.

 

The wheel gap will be a lot larger with 45 tires compared to the 55 tires.

 

I thought it would be very close to the same because as we go down from 55 to 45 we also go up from 215 to 235. Any thoughts?