So I currently have the crappy Michelin Stock tires that came with the car. They have 8000km on them, and already when it's raining, if you press the gas slightly harder then normal, the tires screach....then the VSA kicks in, and finally the car grips.

Anyways I have my heart set on the Continental ContiExtremeContact tires. All I have heard is amazing things about them. The only thing I'm worried about is the maximum load that it allows. On the standard 215/50R/17, the maz load is 1323 lbs.

Is there a way to use the same rims that I have now on the car (Since it's an A-Spec and I love the 7 spoke Alloys it came with) and use a larger tire?

Will I be able to put an 18 inch tire on it, or will I have to stick with a 17 inch that is larger?

I mean can I go for a 235/55R/17?

lemme know

thanks

 

The tallest tire Continental makes in the ContiExtreme is a 50 and it only comes in two widths 215 and 255. Tire width depends greatly on wheel width. If you are running 17x7 wheels i am not sure if you can run 235s. that's 20mm of increased width. Besides if you could run 235s you would want to decrease the sidewall size to 40. If you leave the sidewall size the same you tires would be taller than they are now.

Go here for a better explanation: Tire Tech

Remember, you can always call Tire Rack those guys know their tires and will make sure you get the right information even if you don't buy from them.

edit: most tire manufacturers list specs on their tires such as what wheel their tire will fit. Continental doesn't. But according to several other tire manufacturers. 225 is the largest width tire that will fit on a 7 inch wide wheel.

 

Go to www.tirerack.com and look up that specific tire. Then goto the "specs" section for that tire and look for the size your wanting to go to. The size tire you want will list the minimum and maximum rim width you can use. There's your answer. BUT!!! That's not saying anything about if they'll rub or not...

 

I'm sure you realize that you cannot put an 18" tire on a 17" stock rim

That aside, there is tons of info in this DB about what tire sizes fit inside the wheel well, wheel offset, etc.

Also, check the DIY/Info section for more info on offset...