I am looking at the different tire sizes avaliable for the HHR on the 17" wheels and I was wondering what sizes everybody here is using. It seems like 215/50-17, 215/55-17, 225/50-17, 235/45-17 all work. Can these sizes be verified as having zero clearance issues and are there other sizes that will also work? It seems that the maximum diameter of the tire and wheel needs to be under 26.3", is this a correct measurement? Thanks for any input.

 

225/50R17's fit like a charm......

and you're right about the diameter, the front strut lower spring perch is the limiting point.... 26 inches is about maxed out.

 

X 2

 

Actually, I would like to know if anyone is specifically running 215/55-17 size tires. That is the size I am looking at due to it being a very common size now and the same tires in the 215/50-17 stock size are $40 more expensive than the 215/55-17 size.

 

That's really pushing the diameter so I don't know..... It is a narrower tire though. It "might" squeeze in there. This also may be brand dependent as there is slight variation in calculated specs due to tread design and sidewall corner shape......

 

Tires: Tire 1......................................Tire 2
Tire size 215/50-17..........................215/55-17
Section width 215 mm (8.5'')............215 mm (8.5'')
Sidewall 108 mm (4.3'')....................118 mm (4.6'')
Tire diameter 648 mm (25.5'')...........668 mm (26.3'') 20 mm (3.1%) taller.
Rim sizes 17x6 to 17x8 17x6 to 17x8
Circumference 2035 mm (80.1'')..........2098 mm (82.6'')
Revs per mile 790.9...........................767.3
Speedometer: Assuming that this is OEM tire and speedometer readings are correct >>> When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 61.9mph (99.7km/h): 3.2% faster.

Typical Weight ~ 22 lbs / 10 kg............24 lbs / 11 kg
Wheel+Tire Weight ~ 41 lbs / 19 kg.....43 lbs / 20 kg

Although one former member Ecl, aka Eli had a set of 215/55/17 on his HHR, on malibu rims, he said they fit fine.. fwiw..

 

For people running the 225/50-17, how tight is the fit between the top and side of the front tire relative to the strut? If it is really tight then that is probably the maximum I should go and forget the 215/55-17 route.

 

I've got about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch.... I can't get my fingers in there. (and I have skinny fingers)

 

That's pretty tight, I probably won't go any bigger than that, Thanks

 

Because tires vary in size by manufacturer, even though they are the "same" specified size, make sure you check the clearance between the tires and the lower spring perches before you leave the tire shop. Best to find out you have a clearance problem right then and correct it, before you have a tire rub that can lead to a blowout.