Help - Tire Sizes

[chuckpederson]

I am looking at getting winter tires.  The manufacturer recommends 235/65/16 (that is the OE tire size, too).  I am having difficulty finding this size, but one company has given me a quote on some General Altimax Arctic 235/60/16.

They say the difference from 65 to 60 in the middle number isn't going to affect tire or vehicle performance. 

Is this right? tx.

[Careener]

Try using this tool

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

According to it, the size you are looking to go to is above the recommended maximum of 3% in difference in tire diameter.


Stock Tire - 235/65R16         >Search Tires  Tire 1 - 235/60R16     
Section Width: 9.25 in 235 mm
 Section Width: 9.25 in 235 mm
 
Rim Diameter: 16 in 406.4 mm
 Rim Diameter: 16 in 406.4 mm
 
Rim Width Range: 6.5 - 8.5 in
 Rim Width Range: 6.5 - 8.5 in
 
Overall Diameter: 28.02 in 711.70 mm
 Overall Diameter: 27.10 in 688.34 mm
 
Sidewall Height: 6.01 in 152.65 mm
 Sidewall Height: 5.55 in 140.97 mm
 
Radius: 14.01 in 355.85 mm
 Radius: 13.55 in 344.17 mm
 
Circumference: 88.02 in 2235.7 mm
 Circumference: 85.13 in 2162.3 mm
 
Revs per Mile: 742.3
 Revs per Mile: 767.5
 
Actual Speed: 60 mph 100 km/h
 Speedometer1: 62.0 mph 103. km/h
 
Speedometer Difference: - Speedometer Difference: 3.394% too fast
Diameter Difference: - Diameter Difference: 3.29%

[davidy]

225/70R16 are 1.33% larger than stock....General Altimax Arctic are available in this size. Firestone Winterforce UV too. While the 215/70R16 is within 3% of stock, the load rating is noticeably lower.

Dave