Nissan Maxima: Help with Tire Sizing please, 2002 SE Tires on 2002 GLE Rims

Adding 10mm width is a common practice. 225/55R17s are the better
alternative size, but 225/50R17 shouldn't cause much speedo error. Just be
sure you don't run the tires on too low on pressure since the oversized
width is slightly more susceptible to underinflation damage.

Dave

<Harbor> wrote in message
news:com... 

Thanks Dave.
I found a specs page at Tirerack.com with more detail than I had
before.. the 225/55's are actually another inch taller in diameter
than the 225/50s, which are already taller than my original 215/55s.
I'm going to go with the 225/50s as they are closest in diameter,
while still being 10mm wider.

Pat


 

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html helped me to figure this out:

215x55R17 has a diameter of 82.7". 225x50R17 has 81.2" (-1.8%) and
225x55R17 has 84.0 (+1.6%). In either case, you're looking at a speedo
error of 1mph at 70mph, not a big deal.

I would go with the size that offers the most options and best prices, but
really it's almost a wash - they are both about the same.

Dave

<Harbor> wrote in message
news:com... 
be 

> GLE Rims are 7" wide, not sure about the SE rims. 
SE rims are 7-inch width as well, which is fine for 225/50-17.

Matthew

I found meaningful specs at tirerack:

Bridgestone Turanzas (stock on my 2002 GLE)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Bridgestone&model=Turanza+EL42
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Michelin&model=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS&veh icleSearch=true&partnum=25WR7SPORTAS

Bridgestones: 215/55 26.3" tall 779 revs per mile
Michelins: 225/55 27.1" tall (+0.8) 764 rpm (-15)
225/50 26.1" tall (-0.2) 795 rpm (+16)
235/50 26.6" tall (+0.3) 777 rpm (-2)

After looking it over I guess I have a few choices after all, and they
are ok for use with a 7" rim. The 235s are looking good from an
odometer perspective (I know its negligible) but I like the wider tire
look too..

So now I'm wondering how much wet / snow traction would I LOSE by
adding 20mm of width???? Is 20mm negligible here?

Thanks again for the comments.. if anyone learns anything from this
thread, it is that there ARE other tires out there if you deviate a
little. Tirerack shows what rim widths are good with each tire size.

Pat

<Harbor> wrote in message
news:com... 

I know 10mm is no big deal, but 20mm makes me a little nervous. Someone
with more experience is free to correct me, but at +20 I suspect it can
affect the durability of the bead and the flex in the sidewall could cause
uneven wear. You definitely won't want to run +20s low on air since that
would be extra hard on them.

I suggest you call them and ask - but since the Pilot Sport A/S comes in
a better fitting size, I'd go with the 225/50 R17. The extra 1mph gets lost
real quick in rolling (actual) diameter variances due to vehicle weight and
speedometer error.

Dave

> 
Wide tires suck in the wet or snow, and putting 235's on 7-inch rims
will make the car feel sloppy in any weather. I have 235's on another
car, and they are banana peels when wet. In fact, I can't even take
that car (a BMW 528) out of the garage in the snow on those tires
If you live anywhere it snows, you'd be amazed at the performance of
winter tires. I use a set of 15-inch Michelin Alpins from Dec-March,
and it is well worth the investment. The car pulls like a tractor and
I can actually pass snow plows on the back roads.
Buy some low-cost winter tires, and then you can use anything you want
for the summer months. And you'll save your expensive alloy rims from
winter salt as well.

Matthew
01 Maxima SE (15inch Michelin Alpin winter tires)
00 BMW 528 Sport (16inch Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires)

I'll agree with you both and get the 225/50s..

I know having 2 sets of tires/wheels would be preferred, but there are
so many days when the roads are dry during the winter that I think
all-seasons are good enough for me. That, and my garage is already
crammed full of junk!

Thanks to all for the feedback, it is much appreciated.
Pat