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Mounting larger tires on existing rims


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Berrick
New User

Mar 3, 2015, 12:52 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1822 views)
Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Hi there,

2007 Kia Optima

My car came with P215/50/17 tires on alloy rims. This is a low profile tire, looks sexy but a bad idea. I live in the Northeast and in the last couple of winters the potholes are terrible and because the aspect ratio is 50, the tire does not have sufficient cushioning to absorb the impact and the rims get damaged which is very expensive to repair. I went to a tire place to ask to mount P215/65/17 tires on these rims and they refused. The only argument they had was that the larger front wheels may rub against the body during turns but there is at least 3-4 inch clearance right now, so why would this be a problem? I personally wonder if the car handling may be compromised. What do you think?
Thanks.


GC
User
GC profile image

Mar 3, 2015, 1:49 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1813 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

I wouldnt want to install oversized tires on your car due to liability issues. It will throw off your speedo as well. Oversized tires could be damaged due to clearance issues (it doesnt only have to clear when you turn back and forth, it has to clear at all ranges of suspension travel as well.), and could potentially injure or kill you. Are you sure that you have the tires filled properly? Is your vehicle loaded down? You may be able to get a different load range tire that would take more abuse.


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 3, 2015, 2:10 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1810 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Hmmmm? Question - What tires are suggested by size usually on driver's door jam. Seems like your tires are in fact too low a size than what would be called for. Check that.


Hey - from this mess in New England. OMG, roads are like some kind of war zone! Careful out there!


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 3, 2015, 5:29 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1799 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

If you don't want to drive a car with low profile tires....don't buy a car with low profile tires!

The whole car was engineered for a specific tire, specific wheel and specific air pressure. You can't just arbitrarily throw different sizes on it.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 3, 2015, 5:38 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1796 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Come on HT, who cares about handling, reliability of suspension and steering components, and comfort of ride when you look cool. Unsure

Is this optioned with stability control? Think the system will be affected when playing around with tires and ride heights?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 3, 2015, 5:41 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 3, 2015, 5:42 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1793 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Let's not forget the resulting crash that may cost someone their life. It probably won't be him that dies either.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 3, 2015, 5:45 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1791 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Pretty nice when the fender lip is cutting a groove in the tire or when you turn the wheel to lock all you hear is the tire eating a hole through the wheel well panel. I'm in agreement with the tire shop. They don't want to sell you those tires because they don't want the liability.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 3, 2015, 8:35 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1783 views)
Re: Mounting larger tires on existing rims Sign In

Berrick: BTT when you asked for a certain size and tire place refused I don't blame them. WHAT SIZE DOES THE CAR CALL FOR? For that matter wheels and tires totally as OE spec. IDK what choices if any were available for this.


If tire/wheel appearance is that important to you why not get a whole car that suits you better?


T







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