favorite tire size for stock rims?

[takza]

Thanks to all for the input.

I got some 14" steelies off craigslist. They came with tires about as bad as the ones I had so I put them on.
I have a few mechanical issues to short out before I spend the money for new tires.

I thing the seller said they where off a '92 honda, not sure but the bolt pattern matches.
There is a slight gap around the center ring, less than a 1/16" maybe.
Is that safe? I always though if the lug pattern was the same the wheels would work but there is mention in a previous post about "hub centers and spacers".

thanks

That's the hub centric or lug centric issue? Depends on what kind of lugnuts the wheels take...if they take the conical (beveled) lugnuts...you are OK? If the lugnuts have straight sides then the hub needs to center the wheel?

[EliRush]

This post is kind of old, but I am looking for a better set of wheels and tires and I am finding it VERY helpful. I have a question (or two):

I have a lead on some 15" escort alloys with tires, but what kind of problems could arise from using them? They are from the zr2 2door, a 1999 model, and have decent tires that I think are 165/60. The chart says they will fit, and have the 54.1mm hole, so they are a bolt on and go, right?

It is either that or I go to get steelies from a yard for $15 apiece, and they may not match. The alloys would be better...if they even fit. Thoughts?

[Petros]

if rolling dia is the same and width is not too wide should fit okay. watch out for the low profile wide tires, they perform good on dry pavement but hydroplane real easy in rain, and totally suck in snow and ice. Depends where you live, but around here a tire that is not good in the rain is dangerous, we can get heavy rain any time of the year (though less so in summer, it still happens).

[EliRush]

They are a set of the zr2 alloys that came out in '99, the silver tri-spokes that make a swirl, and the tires are shorter than the terc stock. I wanted something off of an Escort or Miata so it would have the right 54.1mm hole...how bad would it be if the hole was larger? Does not having it sit on the hub cause issues? Lots more Honda wheels around...but they are like 56mm.

[Petros]

I have Honda type hub wheels on my car, I think the lug nuts are strong enough to hold it on. Cars never had the center indexing hub until the Japanese cars showed up on our shores. I do not think it adds to the strength or anything, I suspect it is more to assist in installing and removing the wheels. The alloy wheel nuts are a PIA to install if the hub does not support the wheel centered on the lugs. But it can be done, I do it every time I mount my wheels.

[aoeu]

If the bore is different you can get rings to make the 56.1 match the 54.1 so the wheels are hubcentric. You might want to check the offset to make sure they wont rub. A 195/50/15 tire would make the wheel almost the same size as the 175/70/13.

[EliRush]

What about going with a 195-205, 65-70 tire on the stock 13" wheels? How tall can I go without rubbing? I would like the cushy ride, and if it handled a little soft that would be fine, too. I figure it is good for clearance.

Just getting new tires on stock rims would be fine if I could lower my RPMs on the highway. It would see light offroading, on gravel and rocks. More tire and less rim or more rim and less tire?

[Petros]

That might make the engine rpms drop a bit at fwy speeds (means your speedo will be off too), but I would not advise it. The steel wheels are already flexible (very noticeable from steel to alloy 13" wheel, you can feel it in the handling), add a tall soft tire on top, it will make it feel like you are driving an under inflated air mattress. Or like a Buick, I hate that kind of ride. Stopping distance may suffer a bit too.

Go taller wheel and tire, preferably alloy wheel, and it will make it handle more precisely, and improve economy. Soft squishy tall tires will not help economy any unless you inflate them to 50 psi. Not recommended.

You might even consider a 15" alloy wheel with a low profile tire. that will have less rolling resistance and improve handling. Only problem with that set up is you could damage the wheel and tire side wall if you drive rough rocky roads (like I do). the tire side wall gets pinched between the rock and the rim, damages both. If you drive it slow and careful on rough roads, and most of your road driving is good roads, the larger wheel and low profile tire are a good way to go.

However, the low profile tires are only fair on wet roads, and very poor on snow and ice. So your local driving conditions may affect your tire choice. No economy increase is worth wrecking your car on slick wet or icey roads.

[EliRush]

Thanks! I am going to look for some soon, what width of wheel can I fit? The stocks were 4.5", right? Most I have seen that may fit are all 5" or 5.5".

I would love a set of alloys with tires already on them...but I will probably have to mix and match.

[Petros]

stock steel is 5", factory alloy is 5.5". I have 14" x 6" alloy wheels, with 195/60 tires, no fit problems.

best place to find wheels in Craig's list, or a self service wrecking yard. the 100mm x 4 bolt pattern is real common. Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Ford, etc.

[EliRush]

Yeah, the yard near me has steelies for $15 each. I want to see if I can CL manifest a set of Mazda Miata alloy mags with tires for a hundred bucks.

Thanks again! This is really helping me keep a wagon on the road.

[dlb]

i've had great luck with simply posting wanted ads on craigslist. i got a set of 4 almost new all-seasons for my last project car for free, and i had plenty of other good offers. i've also had good luck with getting free wheels. i got a free set of mazda alloys that i wish i held on to. i got a set of mint MR2 wheels that are currently on my car and i think i paid $50 for them.

[EliRush]

Excellent idea! lol

http://rockies.craigslist.org/wan/3005702883.html

I jumped on it! Free wheels and tires would rule.

[toughtercel]

Couple weeks ago, I bought ( almost new ) set of 185/80 R13 on non-Tercel rims at Swap meet for $60 , When I got home, I was surprise they are 2 " higher than my regular 175/80 R13 , Anyway I will try them on Tercel mag rims next year , see how they turn out to be .

[dlb]

bruce, i ran 185/80r13s for a while. they fit with just a little rub on full steering lock but what i disliked the most was the mushy handling. i didn't like them.

here a few pics from when i ran them on flat blacked steel rims.