Topic: Replacing Stock 205/50/17 with 225/50/17 - FWD Car

[RunsinLight]

First off yes I've asked this before but I'm going to ask again. I'd like to replace my stock tires with 225/50/17 for no other reason then I like the way they look.  Fit shouldn't be a problem because for 5 years now I've ran with 1 winter tire on the back that is 225.

Should I have any concerns about replacing all 4 tires (especially the front) with 225's on a car that was designed for 205?

[articsteve]

Fit shouldn't be a problem because for 5 years now I've ran with 1 winter tire on the back that is 225.

 

You've run one (1) tire that is 225/50/17 along with 3 tires @ 205/50/17    You sure about that?

Why don't you just run 215/50/17.  What's the point of the 225s?

[RunsinLight]

I bought 4 winter tires during the spring some years back and didnt even look at them after
getting them home. By the time i realized i had one tire that was 225 the bill was long
gone and i lived no where near where i bought them. Ive just make sure its
kept on the back. 215 never crossed my mind. Only
reason i say 225 is ive seen it on my car and like
how it looks.

To answer the question. Yes im very sure its a 225

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Looks ok.

[tortoise]

I think a 225/45 would be a better option.

How wide are your rims?

[articsteve]

reason i say 225 is ive seen it on my car and like
how it looks.

225 is not a great choice for winter on a Pontiac G6 (if I remember right).  And running only 1 225 on the back would compromise the ABS I would think and tracking.

I've run some pretty sketchy vehicles, but even I would not run a vehicle like that.  Get rid of that one tire!

Save your fat tires for the summer and don't buy 225/50/17.  They are WRONG for that car.

Tortoise offers the best option because 225/45/17s are almost identical to stock, although they will bulge over the stock GM rim a little I would think.   

[Mike]

I think a 225/45 would be a better option.

How wide are your rims?

Yeah, to keep your speedo the same you need to go to 225/45R17.

I did this with my Colbalt SS (non-supercharged) and went fron 205/50R17 to 225/45R17 all around.  Improved corner grip, decreased acceleration grip in the rain (crap cooper tires)

[RunsinLight]

Close enough, its a G5 though. Although I'd probably buy all season tires they would only be used in the summer. 

reason i say 225 is ive seen it on my car and like
how it looks.

225 is not a great choice for winter on a Pontiac G6 (if I remember right).  And running only 1 225 on the back would compromise the ABS I would think and tracking.

I've run some pretty sketchy vehicles, but even I would not run a vehicle like that.  Get rid of that one tire!

Save your fat tires for the summer and don't buy 225/50/17.  They are WRONG for that car.

Tortoise offers the best option because 225/45/17s are almost identical to stock, although they will bulge over the stock GM rim a little I would think.   

[Mike]

Close enough, its a G5 though. Although I'd probably buy all season tires they would only be used in the summer. 

reason i say 225 is ive seen it on my car and like
how it looks.

225 is not a great choice for winter on a Pontiac G6 (if I remember right).  And running only 1 225 on the back would compromise the ABS I would think and tracking.

I've run some pretty sketchy vehicles, but even I would not run a vehicle like that.  Get rid of that one tire!

Save your fat tires for the summer and don't buy 225/50/17.  They are WRONG for that car.

Tortoise offers the best option because 225/45/17s are almost identical to stock, although they will bulge over the stock GM rim a little I would think.   

You are set then, I put 225 on my Cobalt no issue.

[Art]

My son's Mazda 3 Sport factory tires are 205/50R17.  The selection is relatively poor in that size.  He has used 215/50R17 on his 2005 model and his current 2009 model.  No issues.  The greater selection of tires allows for much cheaper pricing and a more appropriate H speed rating instead of the harsh V rated.  Handling, comfort and traction are all improved with the 215/50R17 tires over stock, even in the rain.

The problem with going to a 225/45R17 is that you have an even harsher construction and an even smaller selection of tires (compared to the 205/50R17) intended for the performance crowd.  If you drive very fast and want a very high performance car to meet your demands then the 225/45R17 is recommended by many Mazda drivers.

Good luck.

[normancw]

The problem with going to a 225/45R17 is that you have an even harsher construction and an even smaller selection of tires (compared to the 205/50R17) intended for the performance crowd. 

For tire selection, I find the opposite.  When I was buying tires for my 325i, I found a bigger choice of 225/45R17 tires than when shopping for 205/50R17 tires for my wife's Mazda 3 GT.  TireRack.com returns 158 results for 225/45R17 and 85 results for 205/50R17.  Their tire size selector actually defaults to 225/45R17.