Tire size OK?
01-19-2011, 08:07 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-08-2006
Location: mn
Posts: 30
Tire size OK?
I'm looking at a slightly used set of snow tires and wheels from a 2009 Chevy Malibu. The bolt pattern is the same as the HHR but the tire size is 205/65R16 which is an inch taller, one inch larger in diameter and three inches more in circumference than the 215/50R17 that came on the car. The Discount tire people say it is to large of tire. Is anyone running this size tire or see any issue with it? Thanks, Denny
01-19-2011, 09:15 PM
#2
Join Date: 01-14-2011
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 2
I work at Discount Tire and have somewhat the same setup on my car for winter tires. I run a set of Malibu 5 spoke steelies with P205/60R16 Hankook iPikes. The 205/65R16's should fit but it's going to throw the speedometer off by quite a bit when you are at highway speeds.
Happy motoring!
Eric
Happy motoring!
Eric
01-19-2011, 11:16 PM
#4
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Join Date: 01-09-2007
Location: SE USA
Posts: 15,856
Here try this tire size comparison link, plug in the stock tire size, & then other size & you will get the Exact Differences + MPH diffs..
http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp
http://www.rimsntires.com/rt_specs.jsp
01-30-2011, 08:37 PM
#5
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Join Date: 04-22-2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 763
Its almost time for new tires on my 2007 HHR. The stock tires on it are 215/55R16. I plan to put Michilin Hydro Edge tires on it, but would like the slightly larger diameter of the 215/60R16. They would be the same width, but the diameter goes from 25.3 in to 26.2 in, radius goes from 12.7 in to 13.1 in, circumference from 79.5 in to 82.2 in. Sidewall goes from 4.7 in to 5.1 in. Goal would be a little more sidewall to flex and perhaps improve the ride a bit. Any clearance problems by going to the slighter larger size? Of interest is the larger 215/60R16 is less money than the 215/55/R16, which I'm not sure I understand the reason for. Welcome any thoughts any of you might have regarding this.
01-31-2011, 04:24 PM
#7
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Join Date: 04-22-2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 763
Just looking at the radius difference, it looks like there would be enough clearance, but I will do some carefull measuring. Would hate to get them mounted and run into clearance problems. Any idea why the larger tires sells for less. Its over a $20.00 per tire difference!
01-31-2011, 04:47 PM
#8
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Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,665
As far as I can tell it's because there is only 1 vehicle that comes with that size. I put 215 60 X 16 on mine and saved almost $200 from PepBoys. They do not rub, but it is kind of close.
01-31-2011, 05:50 PM
#9
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Join Date: 04-22-2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 763
What kind of tires did you put on yours? Do you notice any ride quality improvement? My logic runs along the line of, if there is more sidewall to flex, it should improve the ride. Curious to know what your real world experience is. I really need a fairly rugged tire, as we tow the HHR behind a big diesel motorhome.
01-31-2011, 05:57 PM
#10
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Join Date: 03-06-2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,869
I've got Goodyear Eagles, a set of 16's and a set of 17's and yes the taller side wall on the 16's does ride smoother.
When I was getting my Goodyears I asked about the cost difference (16's were about $20 less per tire, but the same diameter and width, so more rubber, belts, etc. and they also had to SP. Order the 16's) The guy at Goodyear said the 225/50ZR17 was a more popular size, so it cost more........ So much for supply and demand that I learned about in school.
When I was getting my Goodyears I asked about the cost difference (16's were about $20 less per tire, but the same diameter and width, so more rubber, belts, etc. and they also had to SP. Order the 16's) The guy at Goodyear said the 225/50ZR17 was a more popular size, so it cost more........ So much for supply and demand that I learned about in school.