vinmansbrew

Looking at tires, duh, and I would like to not go stock size. I have never been impressed with the stock size. I think GM did it to piss people off.

I am looking at 205-55 and 225-50 sizes. Seems the 225-50 has been used. How about the 205-55? The over diameter is just about identical, .1 inch.

Obviously the 205 is narrower. Sidewall is the same. Just wondering if people have tried the 205. The 205 is more expensive, but I don't want straight up price to be the deciding factor. Just a better ride with hopefully slightly better snow traction. The 215-50 tires stink on snow. Anything but standing still is just a suggestion when on snow. "snow" tires aren't a whole lot better.

I looked at 215-55, but they seem pretty close to being too tall. Even though this pdf says otherwise: http://www.importtire.com/itphotos/doc-od-ref.pdf
Obviously, different brands are slightly different in size.


General thoughts?

donbrew

The limiting factor is the bottom of the spring perch on the strut. Too wide or too tall the tires will rub or worse.

You are the only one I've heard in my 8 years here that is so vehement about snow/ice performance, or tire size, for that matter. Maybe it is the tread or your suspension parts that are to blame.

After I replaced my LCAs the only snow complaint I have is the plow effect, I can't drive if the snow is over 6 inches deep because of clearance. Same goes for driving in heavy rain, it used to feel like the wheels were turning at different speeds.

I usually have used 215-60X16, mostly because they are usually cheaper than the 55's that are standard. You can see a tiny bit of rub evidence.

vinmansbrew

I might think it was suspension, but ever set of tires I have had on this car have all stunk on snow. Different brands, different tread patterns, all the way back to the oem tires. Must not be too many people on from my location, but people I have talked to where I live that have the hhr, it is the same story. Terrible winter traction. Though the people with the 16 inch rims seem to do slightly better, maybe more sidewall?

So, I figure there is no real harm in trying a different size.

I didn't put rim size, since it isn't much of a factor, but I have the stock 17 rims.

When you replaced the LCA, do you mean the bushings, or the whole arm?

donbrew

Either way, but the full arms come with both bushings and ball joints. When I did mine it was easier to get the correct full arms.

BTW, 16 inch is "standard" 17 inch is "optional" ,I.E.: depends on package. I think some SS came with 18 inch. Check the placard on the driver door frame for what came from the factory.

vinmansbrew

Ok, optional 17 rims from chevy. How about that!
Heh, another issue in the winter with this car, snow loves to build up in these rims. First time it happened to me I thought there was something major wrong. Had to use the handle of a scraper to get the snow out. None of my other vehicles had ever done that!

donbrew

Most complain about the snow packing between the tire and the fender.

Greybeard999

225/50R17 fit (ZR in my case) This is about the biggest tire that fits. I'm using them with the factory optional 2LT wheels. (wide is usually not the best option in snow but I haven't had any problems.)


And for 16" wheels 225/55R16 also fit, in case someone is wondering.


Just from my experience.

Oldblue

I run the standard 215/55R16 size BFG Advantage T/A up here in the Great White North, never had the snow build up, never had issues with clearance in deep snow! And as you probably know mines lowered!

geg

I used at different times: 205/55, 215/55.
I have now 205/60.
All this is good for the HHR..
Honestly, I do not see any difference. And in the snow, and on the pavement of different size tires are not given a sharp change of character. Perhaps if the conduct measurements - the difference will show itself. But I'm afraid it will be negligible.

In any case, in summer and in winter I had a different sets of seasonal tires of the same size.

PS Once I tested the 225/55 tires. It was bad. The rear tires have taken their position. But the front - it engages the body during cornering.