psydid

I have a stock '02 TL-S, and would like to get some new rims. However, I don't think I'd be happy if my car's turning radius got any bigger than it is now (I live in a city, and sometimes need to do tough u-turns that I can barely do now).

What affect on turning radius will going to bigger diameter rims (say 18's) have? What about wider rims (7, 7.5)? What about both? I don't expect anyone to have actual numbers, but stories from your personal experience would be helpful.

Redliner

i have 19X8, 225/35-19. so 18X8 is no problem...but get 19inch rims, you will regret it later...........................4SURE......... the radius is about the same nothing to worry about

Mr Zipps

I dont think the rim has anthing to do with the radius. the radius is going to be the same with 20s or 15s. it all depends on the turning radius of the car. Get 19s or 20s dont get anything smaller. You will regret it like REDLINER said. Which rims are you look to get?

Mr
03 ABP TL-S
New Jersey

pianoman41

Rim size *can* affect turning radius but usually it's the width that's more of a concern than the diameter. A wider rim means a wider tire. When you have the wheel cranked all the way to the left or right, a wider tire has a better chance of rubbing on the inside fenderwell because it is now physically closer to the fenderwell. Therefore you may not be able to crank the wheel all the way over when turning.

A taller tire can also do the same thing if the inner fender liner is rounded and the new height causes the tire to rub when turning.

Look at Acura's specs on the CL and TL. They list the turning circle (curb-to-curb) of a CL as 37.4 ft and the CL-S as 39.4 ft. The CL-S needs a 2 ft wider area because of the wider rims (BTW, wheelbase and track are identical on both models).

Turning circle of a TL is 36.8 ft and the TL-S is 40.0 ft. The TL and TL-S is greater because of the longer wheelbase (106.9 for CL and 108.1 for TL). This is one of the reasons Acura chose to give the TL-S a 6.5" wide 17" rim instead of a 7.0" wide rim (like the CL-S). The extra half-inch would have increased the TL-S turning circle to over 40ft which is pushing it for most two-lane roads with breakdown lanes.