Tire Rack has a great feature where you can look at alternative size tires/prices.

The OE tire size trends to more expensive than some other sizes...

So... I'd like to buy something like a 205/60-16 and save as much as $20/tire.

My question is:

I know about the minor differences in speedometer accuracy, what I want to know is if anybody has tried this and with what performance pros/cons.

I also know some about physics so if you’re going to explain how more tire equates to more security... do us both a favor and pass on responding. I know different factors play a pert of real results. Like how skinny tall tires on UPS vans give them more traction in a broader range of conditions...

Any constructive comments very much appreciated.

 

Well as far as the speedometer is concerned you'll see a 1.5% error, so 60mph true ground speed will read as 61 mph on the speedo. The size difference is well within the ability of the ABS and Traction Control to compensate, since they already have that capacity due to the tires losing O.D. as they wear in normal use.

This size swap is applicable in the use of winter tires to gain a better choice of tire options, so I wouldn't see why a year round use of a slightly narrower tire would hurt. The only performance issue I can see is the loss of tread width affecting dry road handling, combined with the taller sidewall you may feel a loss of grip in certain situations. Here's a link to a handy tire size comparator that I use.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

Welcome to the site!! Hope you find what you need here and enjoy interacting with the group.

 

Thanks Mr. HHR. Looks like you've given up on ALL other brands/models other than the HHR. lol

I take you have no real world experience..., no offense just asking.

 

wow

 

No real world experience in going to a narrower tire, I keep them stock sized or go to a "Plus One" deal at the most. Hmmm, Mr. HHR, kinda like the sound of that....uh oh....head starting to swell, self importance growing, need wife to knock me down a peg before I get too full of myself.

 

If you go to a smaller tire, you are going to lose some MPG. Over the life of the tires, it might erase your $20 per tire savings. I say go narrower but not smaller.

 

With the size he's talking about Brian, he's going to be 4/10 of an inch taller than stock, so no issues with shortening the gear ratio and running at a higher RPM on the highway. Actually he'll give himself a slightly taller final drive and lose RPM at highway speeds, mileage improvement is possible, but it would be so small as to be within the realm of a statistical variable.

 

I was assuming it was smaller because of your earlier post. If it is taller, than the speedo would read slower than actual.

 

And why he said speedo will say 60 while your going 60.9 ...faster than speedo.

Really nice tire comparer btw Mr.


Oh and Hiphotrod, I'm really not dissin anybody 'specially not Mr. HHR!

And if you search 205/60-16 and compare the prices to a 215/55-16 you'll see it can make quite a bit of difference in which tires become available and at lower average price! I'm just saying...

 

Be careful with anything taller than original. That front strut really doesn't allow for much variation. I wanted a taller tire, and after measuring and looking decided to just stay stock size with the replacements. Just wasn't worth the clearance risk for me.