HHR SS - Talk to me about 225/45 vs 245/40
 

Need to buy new tires soon, the factory tires are on the edge of needing replacement. I am not really impressed with the factory tires, right now crazy loud road noise, granted because they are low tread but I still don't like them.

My 215 General Altimax Artic winter tires have WAY better dry traction, and are soo much smoother/quiter.

Soo, help me decide between 225/45 or 245/40. All the 245/40s I've seen online say to mount on rims 8-9" but I know many people on here have mounted 245s on the factory SS wheels, no issues I assume? Would I lose any MPG going to a tire that has a 1" larger contact patch?

This was a changed I did recently going from a 225/45 to a 245/40 on a 7" rim. The 245 is only slightly shorter. I like the 245 much better......:thumb:

Or you could go 255x40 like I did they are the same height as stock.:D

OP: A couple things. Those old OEM tires are loud largely BECAUSE they are worn down. I have the same problem. I wouldn't recommend the same tire again, but the size isn't bad.

And, going wider will cost you some MPG for basically the reason you stated (technically, rolling resistance, which is a function of contact patch). The difference from a 205 to a 225 was around 5% on my last car, as best I could tell. So those are some tradeoffs, but wider will also give you better cornering capability, and a different (better?) look. They also seem to be more expensive, too... :frown:

Well the tires I am looking at "incorporates APIs environmentally friendly Eco-Safe technology which reduces rolling resistance, improves fuel mileage and wet grip. "

Also 245/40 is only .200" shorter than factory, and I am willing to bet my bald stockers have lost .400" from the orig 25.97" so that is not a concern.

Possible to lose a bit of MPG (I really hope not), but I am hoping to gain a ton of traction, as I hope to do more modding shortly :thumb:

I've ran 4 different sizes on mine, the original 215/55 16, 225/40 18 that were on the Cobalt wheels when I bought them. Then 225/45 and currently 245/40. Calculating the speedo differance, my mileage didn't change at all. I've traveled the same way to work with all four different tires and get 26-27 with each tank if it's only to work and back.

Glad to see a size discussion. I, too, was wondering how wide we could go on stock SS rims before things start to rub. I'd love to get 245s on for a little extra grip, and it's good to know the /40 is a good height.

Basically validates my assumptions. Went with Hankook Ventus V4s last time, which have done well; but were a little light on wet grip compared to my old Eagle GTs(but had like double the life). Thinking I might try Continental Extreme Contact DWS this go-round. They are rated about the same life expectancy as the ventus, but sounds like they might be a little grippier in the wet

I just swapped from the Eagle GT's to the DWS's and could not be happier. Grip is still excellent in wet/dry and ride quality is not even close. DWS's ride much better.

Tried them, like these better.

So I take it no one has issues with up to 255/40 on stock SS wheels, even though they are for 8"+ wide rims, and the stockers are 7.5" :twothumbs: