I know we've beaten the Tire Debate to death, but here's another possible tall tale.

I was told that if I use 235/45/17 (Stock suc$s) that the ABS programming could be off. Does that sound right, or is a load of BS???

 

Sounds like bull to me. The ABS sensors in the wheel check slippage by monitoring an attached part of the brake mechanism - I do not think they scan the sidewall looking for tire dimensions.

Ask the genius who said that if the ABS is dysfucntional if the compact spare is on the car. Yup. Uh huh.

 

Yup, I'm wondering how much changing the tire/wheel size would effect the calibration of the TCS and also the VSA too.

The owners manual states when the tire needs replacing, it should be replaced with the same size and type. Otherwise the VSA may not function properly.

Now I wasn't happy to read this little bit, but I'm still going to replace these lousy tires. Better having better tires to help prevent the need for the VSA's assistance to begin with..IMO. Besides, I would enjoy the performance of the better tire 99% of the time, how often do I require the assistance of VSA? Never needed it yet. (Can't wait till the snow comes, the light is going to probably be flickering like a Christmas tree

I don't know how critically the VSA is calibrated to the stock wheel/tire, but wonder if anybody has any insight/experience into this?

 

Regardless, I personally feel that VSA does not work as well as Acura advertised.

 

I don't think that will be your problem. I'd be more worried about putting that wide a tire on such a small rim. A 6.5" rim might not hold the bead on a 235 series tire. The CLS wheel migght work cause it's 7" wide, but not the TLS. Go with 225 if you wanna be safe.

Here's something I found on the web. Keep in mind this is for 60 and 70 series tires, not 40 series. The higher this number, the more sidewall you have so I would believe it allow for a wider tire.

According to BFG Engineering Data the following apply for a 60 series tire:


SIZE RIM RANGE PREFERED RIM SIZE
- ------------------------------------------
185 5.0-7.0 5.5
195 5.0-7.5 6.0
205 6.0-7.5 6.0
215 6.0-7.5 6.5
225 6.0-8.0 6.5
235 6.5-8.5 7.0
245 7.0-9.0 7.5
255 7.0-9.0 8.0


For a 70 series tire:
175 5.0-6.0 5.0
185 5.0-6.5 5.5
195 5.0-7.0 6.0
205 5.5-7.0 6.0
215 6.0-7.5 6.5
225 6.0-7.5 6.5
235 6.5-8.0 7.0

 

I thought the TL-S was a 17x7 also.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NSXNEXT
[B]

I don't think that will be your problem. I'd be more worried about putting that wide a tire on such a small rim. A 6.5" rim might not hold the bead on a 235 series tire. The CLS wheel migght work cause it's 7" wide, but not the TLS. Go with 225 if you wanna be safe.

 

Nope, it is a 17X6.5" rim with a 55mm offset

You will want to keep your overall tire size the same or it will throw off your speedometer. Check the wheel and tire forum they have tire size calculators for that purpose.

Its a real pain to find another rim close to that offset...

 

The general rule of thumbs is that as long as you dont go BELOW the 70% ratio you should still be ok. The width of the rim should be at least 70% of the width of the tire, which in this case, 235 BARELY makes it. Don't worry, people on this board has done it already, and I'll be joining you soon when my tires wear out.