Author Topic: Tire and Rim for 99 Solara SE (Read 7672 times)

JoeY · « **on:** November 03, 2005, 01:35:07 pm »

Hi I'm newb here, so please don't abuse me

Got question regarding Winter Tire and Rim and need a favor for the answer.

I've got a Toyota 99 Solara SE V6 with 4 disc brake, need to get 4 set of winter tire and steel rim. On my user menu, it appears that I have two choices of tire size:

P205/65R15
P205/60R16

Since I bough this car 2nd hand, it has ~~P225/65R16~~ right now... *Correction P225/60R16*

So when I went to the tire shop and as for a set of snow tire/steel rim, they told me since I'm using 4 disc break, I'll have to go with 16 inch tires, as 15 inch rim won't fit in as the position of caliper, from their previous experience.

However when I visit most of the tire/rim websites, it appears that I can go with both 15 inch and 16 inch. Is what they said true?

Thanks a bunch.

ovr50 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2005, 01:49:21 pm »

We have a '99 Solara SLE with 16" wheels. We run 4 separate wheels for winter and they are also 16". I do not think you can go to 15" but I am not positive about that. It is an issue with the brakes IIRC.

So the tire shop advice to you may be correct. Did you check with a Toyota dealer?

JoeY · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2005, 02:11:31 pm »

Thanks for the quick response, it's a good idea, I'll check with Toyota dealer right now.

JoeY · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2005, 04:42:03 pm »

Well I've called 3 times to the dealer, first two times got someone said he will check with some guru, however the guru was not in. Today they checked my VIN and said it seems that my car came with 15 inch wheel when manufactured. However they are still unsure, so it's better to bring it into the service department and check it out.

Not sure if they are going to charge for service fee or not...

ovr50 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2005, 06:53:10 pm »

Ours is a SLE and had the 16" std, maybe the SE only had 15" std. I remember driving an SE for a test drive at the time, but have no idea what the tire size was. I may have a 1999 brochure - I'll see if I can find it and post again if I do.

ovr50 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2005, 07:03:06 pm »

I found the 99 brochure and according to that, the '99 SE came with 15" wheels and the SLE w 16" wheels.

It would appear that 15" wheels would fit your car. The tire shop guys are probably confusing the SE and the SLE - hard to tell the difference unless you look for it.

It would be nice to have Toyota verify it tho. Hope this helps.

JoeY · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2005, 12:06:23 am »

Thanks, I'll bring it to the shop tomorrow to verify it before the purchase. I'll let you know how it goes.

JoeY · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2005, 01:47:39 pm »

Ok, so I went to Active Green & Ross just across the street, they were able to put 15 inch steel rim + Michelin X-ICE 205/65R15 on it. Drived back (less than 1km), maybe this is the first winter tire I ever used, it feel there might be something scratching somewhere, I need to drive a bit more to find out.

ovr50 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2005, 04:14:49 pm »

What do you mean by "scratching"? Rubbing?

JoeY · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2005, 10:24:00 pm »

Apparently I feel as if there's some uneven surface when driving. The car shakes at higher speed on highways. Maybe something to do with balance or what they said was true about the 15' rim won't fit properly for the caliper, so the rim right be rubbing the caliper...

I'm bring it back to Active Green & ross and let them check up tomorrow.

morty · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2005, 01:18:17 am »

For starters your car has tires that are waaay too big. Are you sure the tires are 225/60R16? Should be 205/60R16. 15" is no problem on the 1999 Camry Solara SE and the 16" was just an option for that model year.

Scratching seems a bit odd..perhaps wheels are not Toyota and offset is incorrect.

ovr50 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2005, 01:30:58 am »

Morty - the 16" wheels were standard on the SLE model of '99 Solara (I know as we have one); but that doesn't solve JoeY problem yet. He is not getting the correct wheel even at the 15" size. His is an SE model.

morty · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2005, 01:37:24 am »

He needs to go with an OE Toyota wheel and problem will be solved.

JoeY · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2005, 12:53:32 pm »

Thanks for the input guys, yes I agree the P225/60R16 is way too big for this car, standard size should be 205/65R15 and optional size should be 205/60R16.

I went to the tire shop today, they test driven it and said it seems to be normal as a snow tire, so they suggested to drive it for a few more days. But then I droved it for another 80KM, and the vibration was still there. I did look through the gap between rims and calipers, they looks have enough clearance.

Anyhow, I cannot bear with the vibration as it makes my hands numb, so I asked to get two pair of PA2 to replace X-ICE, as I don't like the handling of X-ICE either. They will redo the balance and also double check if there's anything scratching from inside.

Will give you an update here tomorrow.

morty · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2005, 01:49:12 am »

It sounds like you are only running 2 snow tires. Is this correct?

JoeY · « **Reply #15 on:** November 08, 2005, 10:35:31 am »

No, I've replaced all 4 all seasons to snow tires.

JoeY · « **Reply #16 on:** November 08, 2005, 12:30:04 pm »

Ok, they took off the X-ICE and put PA2 on all rims, then checked there was nothing scrubbing anywhere, then rebalanced etc.

Driving on local under 80km/hour seems to be better, less noise and scratching sound, way better cornering handling. Get on highway, still vibrates at around 110km/s. However it gets better when going faster than 140. The sales guy once again said that give it bout a week to kick in.

I haven't use any snow tires before, so I'm not quite sure if this is normal, any ideas?

msian · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2005, 12:43:18 pm »

Sounds like there are still some balancing issues.

JoeY · « **Reply #18 on:** November 08, 2005, 03:04:51 pm »

I just drove with my colleague, and he think there's something wrong with balance as well, the strange thing is this vibration only happens at around 110-120km/h, the steering wheel also shakes with the vibration as well as floor. Going higher speed, it returns to smooth ride...

ovr50 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 08, 2005, 03:08:54 pm »

Alignment? Grasping at straws here.