Wheel / tire question

[ShadowDog]

Alright guys, I have a small head scratcher here. Instead of buying steel wheels for my wife's winter tires, I'm planning on spending a little extra on new wheels and use the stock aluminum wheels to mount the winter tires on.

The new wheels are 15x7 while the stock are 15x6, so I need to find out if there will be any problems with having the stock tires on the 1" wider wheels. I only ask because the stock tires have only seen 32k kms so I plan on using them for the time being.

Thoughts?

[tallkid]

shouldnt be any problems. i have 17x7's on my car and there isnt any clearance problems. no rubbing or anything. sounds like a good idea...too bad i dont have money for snow tires, lol...just gonna have to use the stocks for now...after i get that lug nut off(GRRRR)

[ShadowDog]

Thanks for the reply. I grabbed my brain from the nightstand and thought I should just check for this information through TireRack.com - it turns out the stock Hankook Optimo H420's have rim width range that measures 5.5" - 7" so it looks like I'm in the clear. The tread width is 6" overall, so I end up with roughly 1/2" extending on each side of the wheel edge.

I figure this information could be useful for others, so that's why I'm typing it. At least when these useless stock tires are done I can go with a wider tire in the same size. The ride is comfortable for my wife, so she doesn't want to make it harsh; therefore, no taller wheels for any lower profile tires.

[kinkyllama]

Your handling will improve having a wider wheel with the same size tire. Gives the sidewall more strength...might effect the ride quality slightly as well but it may not be noticable. Make sure your new wheels are lighter than 20lbs if you dont wanna hurt performance...shouldnt be hard in that size.

[ligerx]

yes a wilder tire would give you better handling but that does not mean that you sidewall would be stronger. the strength of the tire sidewall is base on the ply rating and the speed rating of the tires. you may have a wilder tire but the ply rating maybe the same as your stock tires sidewall.

[kinkyllama]

Originally Posted by ligerx

yes a wilder tire would give you better handling but that does not mean that you sidewall would be stronger. the strength of the tire sidewall is base on the ply rating and the speed rating of the tires. you may have a wilder tire but the ply rating maybe the same as your stock tires sidewall.

I think he is using the stock tires. It will make the sidewall harder if you go wider on wheels...to a point. Think of it this way, a really wide tire on a smaller wheel will give it sloppy turn-in because the sidewalls almost hanging off. A smaller tire on the same wheel and your turn-in and response will improve because the sidewall has more support.

[ShadowDog]

Originally Posted by kinkyllama

I think he is using the stock tires. It will make the sidewall harder if you go wider on wheels...to a point. Think of it this way, a really wide tire on a smaller wheel will give it sloppy turn-in because the sidewalls almost hanging off. A smaller tire on the same wheel and your turn-in and response will improve because the sidewall has more support.

I have them on now and they have given me two major benefits:
1) The offset has allowed for slightly more outer exposure, so my track-width has improved just from that alone
2) The tire is virtually flush with the wheel, if not slightly more bulge exposed to protect the edge (bonus)

To add more to the conversation on the sidewall, you've already explained the majority of the points; even more simple, by widening the bead placement on the wheel, you are reducing the length of lateral travel from the flex of the sidewall. The drawback is in the wear because the tire is originally designed with a particular contact patch width in mind with the appropriate wheel. I now have to set my pressure at 30 lbs. for even wear while still wearing this tire. When they are done, I'll likely move up to a 205 width tire with this wheel. I think 215 will probably be pushing it.