Triz08

Ok, ive decided on the Fuzion ZRi tire but cant decide whether to get the 215/50/17 or the 225/45/17. I have researched alot of the pros and cons of diff tire sizes but still cant decide so im asking you guys. So far, i understand...

- 225/45/17
Has .5 inch smaller diameter than stock size
Has around 25 more revs per mile than stock size
Will cause the ride to be a little rougher than stock size (theoretically)
Has better appearence being around an inch wider than stock size
Has better grip than stock size

If theres anything else anyone would like to point out id greatly appreciate it. Which would you guys choose?

xizor

I'd opt for the 225/45/17 personally, it will slightly increase the wheel gap however, but w/ springs that shouldn't be an issue.

Triz08

I cant figure this out , will having a smaller tire make my spedometer read slightly slower or faster?

Dan Martin

Speedometer will read faster. If your speedo is saying 60mph, you're probably only going about 58.

DrivenaVtec

Go for the 225/45/17's!! I had to make the same decision a mounth ago. I picked a set of Falken Azeinis ST-115 225/45/17's and I'm very happy with them. The wheel gap really isn't all that bad and can always be fixed w/ some springs. DO IT!

iTimmy

Personally I would go for the right size for the car. The engineers at Acura would have used a 225/45R17 if they felt it was the best tire for the car. The only reason I would recommend someone going to a 225, is that if they had there heart set on a certain tire and its not available in the 215. Seeing as the fuzion is available in the 215 doesn't seem to be much to think about- .

xizor

they also put the worst tires in existence on as OEM, so its likely sales reps get just as much (bad) input.

iTimmy

Are you not familiar with metric sized tires(like the michelin TRX's)? you seem to like making absolute statements that are completely off base to further your cause, what ever that me be.

dzuy

235/35-19.

oh wait that isn't a choice

go with the 225/45 homeboy. and go back to the track woot woot.

xizor

I'm not sure what your reading comprehension problem is lately, but what does metric size have to do Michelin Pilot MXM4 being terrible tires?

Tireguy: "OEM 215/50/17 sizing is good because engineers choose it"
xizor: "OEM tires are terrible, and therefore engineers likely have no choice in the brand, sizing, etc."

The current Accord also uses 215/50/17 as OEM, exact same tire, which would lead me to believe its just easier for Honda to reuse the same tire, rather than select a 225/45/17. Do engineers think the base Accord and the TSX are just as sporty and therefore should use the same tire?

Canyonball

OE is basically intended more for comfort. The increased side wall height = more damping, as the tires absorb most of the "impact". Shorter sidewalls increase cornering stability with a cost of less comfort.

A taller diameter tire, say a 215/50/17, will basically have the same contact patch (square inch-wise) as a 225/45/17. The only thing that changes is the foot print. The wider the tire, the wider the contact patch, but shorter the length. I guess you can say, the 215 contact patch would look like;

=

while the 225 would look like;

--

The longer, the contact patch, the easier the tire absorbs impact because the energy is transferred over a longer rolling area. Whereas the wider 'patch has less time to absorb the impact (less comfortable)...

CJams

True!!!

My new 35 series tires ride so much smoother than those stock things ever did. I thought it was the roads up here, but when I switched tires I could relate to all the "smack" people talk about those stockies.

Triz08

i have my car lowered on prokits with koni struts so im not worried about wheel gap. How big of a comfort difference would i actually notice between the 2 diff sizes. I mean, i was previously riding around on 4 blown shitty stock struts for about 2k miles, so i really understand what it feels like to have a horribly rough ride.

Right now i think im going to go with the 225 for the more contact area therefore allow better handling and give better grip, and also get improved appearance. Though i will be losing ride comfort, but not really sure if it will be noticable over the stock size.

dzuy

re-use is a great thing.

simplifies the design and also reduced price since you will buy larger quantities of the same item.

that being said, the stock michelins suck for grip, but are great for comfort.

dzuy

i can't agree to this.

you are probably confusing "smooth" with "grippier".

there is no way a 35 series would ride smoother since the sidewall is much smaller, there is less deflection in the sidewall, so you'll feel everything in the road more.