The tire selection available for the stock size of 215/50/17 is rather small. However, if you move your size by 2% to 225/45/17 your selection doubles.

So what are the consequences of moving to this size? Obviously the tire is wider, but with a narrower sidewall. How does this affect ride quality, steering response, etc.?

 

obviously with the 2% difference your speedo + odometer will be off by that percentage as you noted. You should get better steering response with the shorter sidewall and the ride will probably be a bit more jarring and ultimate grip in turns will be better.

Note: it actually works out to be about .5 inches smaller in diametere(wheel + tire) so you are looking at an added .25 inch or so to the stock wheel gap.

 

That's the size I would recommend anyway. I'd recommend either the Falken Azenis Sport or the Yokohama ES100. Either one will cost you around $155/tire at Discount Tire. The Falkens aren't available from tirerack.com, but they have the Yokos. They're $107/tire there for the ES100. Odd that they're that much less per tire on www.tirerack.com

Like the plug? Just trying to save you a couple bucks if I'm going to recommend a tire.

 

No need to be ashamed of the plug. Tirerack is pretty cool (even if I don't buy from them, just look).

I was just thinking about a year down the road I'd like to replace the tires with something a little more sticky, but I don't want to lose the steering/turn response.

 

You won't lose any of the grip if you go up to the 225/45/17's. From my past experience and from others inquiries, tirerack will be your best bet on getting tires. You'll just have to get them mounted somewhere. That usually runs you about $10/tire. Take that into consideration at the same time once you decide to get out there and buy some tires.

 

Last time I bought some Yoko Avid H4's (2) for my Honda Accord (puncture on a lease). Tire rack had the best prices, but it was an extra $35 for shipping total. I got the same set at one of the local places, mounted, stemmed, and balanced for the same price.

But yeah, the place I use for mounting, etc. charges $12 for alloys.

 

How about 225/50 R17??? It is a closer match in size, the ride would be a little softer and the wheel gap is reduced. Any thoughts from anyone here??

 

That's an idea, although there are very few tires available in that size. For 235/45/17 there's tons.

 

Lung, I don't think 235/45 R17 will fit on a 7" wide wheel (stock TSX). They require a 7.5" wheel or larger. 225/50 R17 tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...rk=1&do=Search

 

Unfortunately, none of those 225/50/17 tires are good.

-vasu

 

What is wrong with the Michelin Pilot Sport AS? It is a hell of lot better tire than the stock tires. If someone is looking for a summer or even dry tires they might as well get a different wheel or maybe even a different car.

 

Sorry, typo. I meant the original thread title size = 225/45/17.

 

for those of you that are going to a bigger size tire (larger overall diameter), are you ignoring the impact of the spedometer? is there an adjustment to compensate for the tire size? on the navi equiped tsx, i thought i saw a screen shot (backdoor screen) that would allow for correction due to tire size.

or are you just ignoring the impact?

 

With any change in tire diameter both the speedometer and the odometer will be slightly off. A smaller diameter tire gives you a faster speed than you are actually going. A larger diameter tire gives you a slower speed than your are actually going. The 225/50 has less error than the 225/45. A found a speedometer vs. tire size calculator once-upon-a-time. I will post it here, if I find it again.

Example: with the speedometer reading 70 on your TSX, without adjustment you would actually be going 71.1 mph with 225/50 and 68.6 with 225/45 tires

 

Here is a couple:

http://www.paspeedo.com/calculator.htm

http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm

 

that's all great and all but i'm talking about having the speedometer and odometer reflect the changes as well... has to be some kind of code that can be entered in. the dealership must know how to do this.

 

Correct, I was just pointing out that there is an error for both smaller or larger diameter tires versus stock. Did you know that there is a difference in odemeter and the speedometer for heavily warn tires versus new tires?

 

yeah -- new tread is ~ 10/32 of an inch and goes down from there with use. Figure probably bout a 1/4 inch change between a brand new tire and a heavily worn one. That's a wee bit more than half the odometer difference you would see moving to a 225/45/17

 

I just put a set of Pirelli P Zero Nero 225/45ZR17 on my TSX. The ride IS more jarring (but I like it this way anyways). I've calculated the difference by comparing the stock tires spec and my new tires, it is quite negligable. For me, I would give up the stock tires anytime. The stock tire just does not have grip! The ABS kick in prematurely, and the VSA works harder than it suppose to be! With the Pirellis ($114 per on tirerack), I have yet to experience any skid, slip or squeal. I have used the Yoko ES100 before, and I think the pirelli's are better (worse ride though). I am going to autocross it this weekend, I will report back after.

 

do you have any pictures of your car with the new tires? interested to see if the wheel gap change is noticeable.

 

I will try to post the picture after this weekend. The wheel gap is not noticeably larger. The difference in overall diameter is less than an inch, so...but I wear glasses too....don't take my word....

 

Here's a better tire size calculator.

Changing your tire's height also affects other components such as ABS. A taller tire would put more stress on the suspension too.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I was searching for this topic and landed on this. I have the 225/45/17 wrapped around some 05 tl wheels on my 04 tsx with navigation. Does anyone have the link for how to get the navigation to correct the mileage on the navi?