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RE: tire size change?

Originally Posted by Gamle-ged

At a guess, there would likely be a small increase in rolling resistance with a commensurate decrease in MPG?...

On the contrary, given the same construction, tread patterns, inflation pressures, rubber durometer #, etc, the higher profile tires tend to have less rolling resistance, and therefore, would be expected to return somewhat greater fuel mileage. Guess we'll see.

Referencing a couple of my VW diesels the best mpg delivered on the factory's (optional) tire size 175/70-13 was just under 59mpg (admittedly loaded to the max, including 4 adults & a crammed-full Thule Pod on the roof. OTOH the other vehicle at roughly the same weight and gearing, using the same exact engine, but with 195/60-14 tires, could only manage a best of 54mpg, even with a light load. Subjectively (my butt-meter) the wider tires definitely give a rougher ride, but naturally add greatly to the car's cornering abilities. Reports from friends with gasoline powered versions reported proportionally equivalent mpg drops with similar size/profile tire swaps.

The goal here was to soften the ride of my wife's D/D a bit, without getting into expensive / experimental suspension changes. Only about 500 miles on them at this point; seems like a good move thus far. YMMV... literally.

Here's a P.S. >>> It's official... my wife told me today that she noticed the smoother ride the 60-series tires have given her Azera! She's really NOT a 'car-person', but her mentioning it tells me that 'the operation was a success'. Yeeee-haw! Next, as time permits, is to replace a few suspension bushings & chase down some miscellaneous little creaks, bumps & groans... anything to keep her happy with her "Seoul Sister".

RE: tire size change?

At a guess, there would likely be a small increase in rolling resistance with a commensurate decrease in MPG?...

RE: tire size change?

OK... I took the plunge & bought a set of Falken Sincera SN211 tires in 225/60-17 a few days ago. Even at the first ride, the added smoothness in going from /55 to /60 profile was noticeable. As I mentioned this Azera is daily driven in a conservative fashion, over some rough freeway surfaces and poorly maintained surface roads.

At the speeds traveled so far, no loss in handling has been observed, and the tires definitely seem quieter that the /55-series they replaced. Load rating is the same, and the treadwear rating is "720"; we'll see. No negatives so far! YMMV

RE: tire size change?

Oops... at one point my fat fingers were typing "265/60-17", but I sure didn't mean that! I'm thinking 225/60-17 vs the factory 235/55-17 size, and actually a bit narrower and only fractionally taller (about 27.5" vs. 27.3" diameter) than the factory size, so I don't think there will be any fender rubbing. Specs seem to call for a 6.5"-8.5" wide rim for the 235/55, while a 225/60 takes 6"-8" rim, meaning the factory 7.5" rim is fine for either.

Yeah, I've gone through the "+1" & "+2" up-sizing on quite a few other vehicles, with 'good' results in handling, as long as the suspension was up for the job. Even my old VW diesel, which had skinny 155/82-13 tires on 5" rims from the factory, now rolls on 195/60-14 mounted to 6.5" rims (rolling with a modified suspension, naturally). Uhhhh... No, my wife doesn't drive that one!

Just want the Azera to have a bit smoother ride; car is never pushed even close to its meager limits in road handling. Obvious, of course, to all participants on this forum, an Azera is just not that kind of a machine! This is all about a search for better ride quality, ie.keepin' my sweetie happy!

If/when this Azera does get fitted with 225/60-17 tires, I'll report back here re. any differences noticed.

RE: tire size change?

Many years ago I put slightly wider and taller tires on my '65 Karmann-Ghia (rear only) because I'd re-done the rear engine to about 2 L. from 1400 cc. I figured the width might be useful owing to the significant increase in horsepower (from 40 to about 130), I didn't change the front tires as I didn't want to have to flare-out the front fenders to accommodate wider front tires.

Soooo, about the only thing you can take from this is to be sure the larger front tires won't rub the bodywork in a full-lock turn?...

RE: tire size change?

No experience, hard evidence, or facts? OK, then... how about opinions? TIA

tire size change?

Anyone considered... and tried... using 225/60-17 tires for a little smoother ride. This is a conservatively (wife) driven DD, with speeds rarely over 70mph, and thus also, the desire for a smoother ride!

It appears that a 265/60-17 size tire is typically rated around 1670LBS, just a few pounds less than the ~1700LBS ratings of the OE size of 235/55, but seat-of-pants experience has shown me that 60-series tires are generally noticeably smoother riding than 55-series tires. Given that the Azera's front end weight is nowhere close to 3300LBS, either size is far more than adequate to support an Azera through any appropriate usage, and most any inappropriate actions, as well.

The height of the 225/60 is just fractionally taller than the 235/55, so that might actually correct our speedometer, which reads a little fast.

Thoughts? TIA