Tire size for 17" after lowering 1.1" offset?????

[jdub240]

Was wondering who has had successes or failures after lowering the car mildly... curious as to rim width and such....I believe i will keep the total height of the wheel the same or close. But unsure on the 7.5" rims. Is there a bad offset???? How much is too much???? thanks

[jdub240]

sorry.... its a 2007 s

[9phil9]

Depends on the offset of your after market wheels.
If they have an offset of 40mm+, and they aren't any wider than 7", then you can get away with 225x45x17.
But if it's less than that, 205x50x17 will be a better bet.

The rears have a lot of room to fudge with, but the fronts will hit the lip on the outside when you hit a big dip with a fully loaded car.

Remember, that you want to stay as close to a 25" diameter tire as you can, to avoid throwing the speedometer/odometer off.

And you want to choose a wheel width, that is very close to the tread width, this is so that the sidewalls are kept as vertical as possible.

[jdub240]

now thinking of 205/50/17...but on 7.5" wheel...any thoughts? for the front?

[9phil9]

Like I said before....it all depends on the offset of the wheel.
7.5 inches with an offset of 35mm will probably hit, though not hard.

But if it's at least 42mm, then most likely it won't.
I take it you already bought the wheels?

If so, then find out what the offset is.
If not, then start out looking for wheels that are 7 inches wide and with at least a 40mm offset.

Or trade your wheels in for some that have those dimensions.
Only that way can you be sure you'll be safe to encounter a bad dip fully loaded, as you take a turn. Like when you exit a parking lot and turn onto the street.

There isn't much that will make you cringe quite like the sound of your tires tearing the wheel lips up.

And think how upset you might be, to see that your brand new tires have sliced up sidewalls.
Not good.
Trust me....Been there, done that....don't ever want to go back again.
I know you understand.

[jdub240]

I bought 7" 40mm offset. I was hoping to get a few more responses on "how big" you can go. I would really like 225/45. and thanks for your response....but hoping i would get the 'go-ahead' from more.

[9phil9]

OK, good choice.
Go to the tire dealer you are going to get your tires from and find out if he will mount just one for you.
The rears will for sure fit, and it shouldn't take too long to see if the fronts will clear.
I have 16"x7" with a 40mm offset.
Tires are 205x55x16 Goodyear Assurance Comfortreds.
They actually measure 24.9 inches in diameter, and even with a full load of people, the tires don't touch.
On the other hand, I originally had 215x55x16 Michelin HydroEdge’ s.
Regretful choice. Noisy, hard riding, noisy,....did I mention NOISY ?
Got rid of them at only 10,000 miles.
And I was glad to be rid of those damned noisy truck tires.
Oh, and because they were 25.1", and a bit wider than the Goodyear’s, they hit just a little bit, but only when I was turning and hitting a dip at the same time.
I lowered my car with TRD springs that dropped it 1.5", front and rear.
They claimed 1.25", but I measured carefully before and several weeks later, just after filling the gas tank, and it was exactly 1.5 inches lower.

The only way you will know for sure what fits is to try a 225x45x17 in the type tire you want.
All manufacturers make the same size tire different actual dimensions, believe it or not.

You can get a pretty good idea on size at The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels .
Just keep in mind that the more aggressive the tread is, the more noise it will probably make.

[jdub240]

Well that sounds good...since i am only lowering it 1.1" and the tires you 'didnt' like(215/55/16) are actually .2 of and inch (on each side) taller than the 225/45/17(including the rim difference). If yours only a hit a 'little'....i should have the forgiveness in the stance of the car. I know not all things are created equal but 'Im gaining' .4" in the stance, and the .2" in the tire for and obvious total of over half inch, difference from your ride. Im liking everything i hear.