I tried this over in the tire section, but it doesn't seem to be very active.


My 2004 X Type has 225/45-17 standard all seasons.
I know the base tire setup was 205/55-16 for all X Types.

I have a set of virtually new snow tires, which I'm considering putting
on 5x108 winter steelies. My existing snow tires are 205/60-16.

My tire guy will mount my snow tires onto the correct 5x108 wheels, but
he won't guarantee that this setup won't rub the fenders. My snow tires are
about 3% larger than the OEM 16" spec.

This is what an online calculator tells me:


Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
205/55-16 4.4in 12.4in 24.9in 78.2in 811 0.0%
205/60-16 4.8in 12.8in 25.7in 80.7in 785 3.2%


I have two options.
Risk mounting my 205/60-16 snows on new steelies at a cost of $240.(Rubbing?)
or
Sell my existing snows/steelies (5x114.3) for about $400, and purchase
a proper 205/55-16 tire/wheel setup for about $700.

Thanks in advance to any experts who can chime in with assistance!

Ted.

 

Ted, as long as you are sticking with the 205 width tires, you should be fine. Yes the tires are slightly bigger, but not that much to be worried about. I am running 235/45R17's on my car right now. I get a little bit of rubbing on the back part of the wheel well. But, it just touches and I am sure if I did a little bit of "creative space making", I can get rid of the rub all together. Since you are running a narrower rim, you are going to have a little bit more room to run a taller tire.

I say go for it.