Tire Size for 15 x 6 Wheels?

[larry mcgrath]

I just bought a set of 2000 Mazda Miata 5 spoke polished wheels for the Rocket. I'm wondering what tires I can run on these wheels,I drive this car at 85 plus mph most of the time. I'm looking for a all season radial ,with good handling, and minium road noise. Next is the brake up date, have all the pieces sitting on the bench. Your imput will be greatly appreciated. Larry

[larry mcgrath]

bump

[keith]

195-50 15 has almost the same tread circumference as the 175-70 13.

(195/25.4 +13)3.14 = 71.24" 889.4 revs/mile

[(175x1.4)/25.4+13]3.14 = 71.14" 890.6 revs/mile

For the speeds you travel at, you might want to go a tad larger, such as 195-55 15.

[Petros]

FYI, those really low profile tires have excellent dry road performance, but on wet or snowy/icy roads they tend to float and have less grip than a more convenitonal 60 or 70 series tire. that is why I am running 185/60x14, we are wet here most of the year, plus occational snow, and I drive our steep gravel roads daily.

I have not seen any, but a mud and snow rated low profile might perform better, but I saw a braking and corrning test for a lot of different size and types of tires, wet and dry. the low profile tires were dangerously poor performers in the wet.

[keith]

An alternative might be a 185-60 15. That will be 74.58" circumference and 849.5 revs/mile. That will throw off the speedometer a little, almost 5% so if you want to do 85, you need to read about 81, assuming that your speedometer is accurate now. With a 6" wide rim, I think 185 is about the narrowest you can go on the wheel size.

[larry mcgrath]

Right now the spedo is slow by 6mph .according to Tom tom, im relly looking forward to the brake up grade have new vented- drilled roters and ceramic pads. and with a better tire package ,will make this ride and handle a lot better,I hope , would a 185 65 15 work out? I don't know a dam thing about Tires Larry

[keith]

I have used 185-65 14, not sure I'd want to try a 185-65 15. Strangely I used a 185-70 13 and it rubbed the inner fender wells but the 185-65 14 tires did not rub. Go figure. Maybe the offset of the 14" rims was a little more than the 13" rims.