I've been told if you put rear tire sized tires all around you get a better ride. Maybe this has been discussed previously, but is there anything to this idea?
Replies to This Discussion
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Doesn't putting different sized tires on the front from the stock upset the speedometer and the odometer?
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Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn -
no
The readings come from the ECU that collects information from the rear wheels.
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Thanks. Think I'll stay with the stock tire configuration. The front foot print with more weight p/sq/in seems witching. But maybe, is it offset with a wider tire with more sq in of rubber on the road yet less lbs/sq/in? Just asking.
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NO! Here it is, plain and simple.
Different sized wheels does not equate to different wheel/time circumference. Whenever a larger wheel is used, a corresponding different aspect tire is used which fits on this bigger wheel but with a shorter sidewall so the outermost size stays the same.
But there are people called engineers who chose the tire aspect and width after thousands of miles of testing in handling, braking, and acceleration before they finalize on a size which will be best for all conditions.
Don'tg mess with wheel/tire setups on cars unless you have an understanding of the complex issues which are being dealt with.
Hope this helps!
Paul
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Know any engineers?
I do.
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Souns like Paul has been to smart of Orlando. I think he drank the Kool-aid.
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Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn
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I have 215-40/16 on the back and 195-45/16 on the front.
Circumference on the rear tire is very very close to original.
Larger tires have helped front discs brake better. The ride quality is much smother and handling has improved.
Wheels: Wheel 1 Wheel 2
Wheel size 16x7 ET 10 15x5.5 ET 40
Tires: New Tire Original Tire
Tire size 195/45-16 175/55-15
Section width 195 mm (7.7'') 175 mm (6.9'')
Sidewall 88 mm (3.5'') 96 mm (3.8'')
Tire diameter 582 mm (22.9'') 573 mm (22.6'')
9 mm (1.5%) difference
Rim sizes 16x5.5 to 16x7 15x4.5 to 15x6.5
Circumference 1827 mm (71.9'') 1799 mm (70.8'')
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Hi 451 Kahn, what does this all mean? are you saying that your tire circumference's stayed pretty close to original so your car doesn't know the difference ? Your wheels look great
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Permalink Reply by 451 Kahn
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Yes i calculated it all on the easy to use web site
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp
Thanks
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451 Kahn What size rims do you need for each of those? Where can you get them? Where did you get the tires? Continental?
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Everyone should who doesn't want to VOID warranty on Smart should Go with tires from Smart like 6 spoke Design 3 alloys with 175 at front and 195 in the back. You can wait for BRABUS wheels, they should be available first two month in 2009
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What tire changes would void the warranty? Any?
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