I just got my Step-moms 2007 HHR after her passing and it is in need of new tires the ones on it now are Good year Eagles 215/50 R17 I would like to put on a tire that will fill in the wheel well more but without any mods.. its a STOCK 07 (The Silver Reaper) with the OEM polished 17" rims..

If this has been already beat to death I am sorry.. Just found this forum and want to make the best choice.. as I will be going to the tire store ASAP..

Thanks guys...

 

WELCOME from Michigan but I don't know anything about tires. There are guys here that do.

We want pictures.

Boydie Back in the Saddle..............

 

First Sorry for the loss of your Step mom, second WEKCOME to the froum.. Tons of great info and Im sure someone will chim in with good tire info for you! IMO I would also go to a Tire Store not a local auto parts store that sells tires... You might get some more help there as well! Good luck, And please post what you find as Im sure others can use the info.. ALso pop in a lot and read a lot of the threads,,

 

Welcome to the site.

You can't go to a much taller tire with a stock HHR. A little, but not much. The problem will be interference with the lower spring perch on the front struts. You can look at the top inside edge of your present tires. Just above that you will see the bottom of the spring perch. That will show you how little room you have to go taller. Too tall will rub that perch.
Someone should chime in and have some size recommendations.

 

As "firemangeorge" says, you can go much taller on a tire but you can go a little wider on the OE rims--say at 225/50R17 and if you put wheels with different back spacing, you might be able to go wider, yet.

 

Dumped off my anemic 215/50/17, went to a beefier 225/50/17... I have the 17" polished hhr mags.
That was a couple years ago. Best move I made..

Ride/handling & looks are much better.. Mine were 26.1" tall. & only had
.300" clearance to strut perch..

If you stay at no more than 26" tall, you should have no issues.. My speed-o is even now more accurate.

 

Hey guys.. Sorry I did not respond but was deployed with the Fire Dept.. I am back and since I only HAD to replace 2 tires right now.. I put two NEW 225/55r17 on the rear and left the OEM size 215/50r17 on the front for now ( since they were still with great tread ).. now I have a slight rake in the way it sits and kinda like it.. I will put the bigger size on the front when the front tires show wear.. and by then I will have a fix for the tire rub on the strut lower spring bracket.. even if I have to do some engineering.. where there is a will there is a way... Heck I once put some N50/15 on a street legal Chevette..

 

225/55/17 won't fit on the front without some different offset rims to set them outward(Then they'll hit the fender lip) or relocating the spring perch(coilovers?)
Then if you fix that issue, they will probably rub the inner fender well.
Whole lotta trouble for a tire that's only a inch taller.