2003 SType sports package with 17" wheels

currently I have 225/50r17. I believe before that I had 235s, not sure why but I think that's what I had.

My question is when I'm looking at tires do I have to gets ones that have the "r" in it? Also, what alternate sizes could I get for that rim? My wife drives this car to work and I would say rarely goes over 50mph and for sure doesn't need them for any kind of performance.

 

You can go to one of the Internet tyre retailers and look at a guide to understand the grading criteria and how to read the information on the sidewall.

The 'R' part of the description means the tyre is of radial construction, so if it is listed as 225/50R17, the tread is 225mm wide; the aspect ratio is 50% meaning the sidewall is 50% of the tread width; radial style construction and the size rim it fits is 17-inches in diameter.

I do not believe you want non-radial, or crossply tyres for a vehicle your wife drives, if in fact they are even still produced...

 

You need the ones with the 'y' in them... 'Tyres'

Oh bad Doug!!!

 

Are you referring to the spelling of the word, or the speed rating of 'Y' on the sidewall?

 

One of the reasons I'm asking is because a guy near me is selling his tires. He bought new rims for his car, which was new so the tires are new. He listed them as 225/50/17. I just wondered if that was a no go because there's no R or if it's just something people leave out.

 

You can contact him and have him send you a photo of the sidewall information. It most likely is okay, but you may want to check in the owner's manual for the vehicle to see what the correct size and speed ratings are for that MY.

 

They're almost bound to be radial but do check.

You need the load/speed rating which is in your car handbook or if you tell us your engine size someone probably knows. (E.g. you may need 95W or better.)

Fronts and rears may be different so again do check.

 

>a guy near me is selling his tires

What brand and model are they? That should tell you all you need to know.

Then go to http://www.tirerack.com and search for tires for you car. If the tires are compatible with your car they should show up there as one of the recommended choices.
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Jaguar: Grace, Pace, and Space - Sir William Lyons

 

Many folks leave out the "R" in tire sizes because 99.95% of today's tires are of radial construction. I'm certainly guilty of doing it when shopping for tires, but the tire shops already know that....

 

As others have said, the R means radials. I don't think non-radial tires, tyres or tars were ever made in a size that would fit our cars. Non-radials are still made for some specialty vehicles and possibly trailers but that's about it.

Deviating from OEM sizes can have some pitfalls, the most common being a different diameter than stock. This will throw the speedometer and odometer off and can cause rubbing on the fender if a larger diameter is chosen. Rubbing might occur if a wider tire is chosen.

 

I was being facetious.

 

Since English is not my first language, I often miss the humour in many of the comments on this forum...

 

No, my apologies… English is not the first language for manyhere it appears, especially those from the USA – with reference to spelling that is!!! (sarc) Oh very bad Doug!!!