Effect Lower tyre will have

Wicklowrider

My car's manual specifies 215 45 16 on rear

Local tyre supplier, who I really want to deal with,can only source 205 45 16 for the rear.

can anyone tell me what adverse effect this will have on safety, performance etc? Its a RWD (MR2) if that matters.

Thanks for advise.

Almost an inch less circumference, won't have a huge effect really but I'd sooner get the manufacturers recommended size.

dergside

To keep the rolling radius as close to the same as possible, you should look at 235/40/16 as the appropriate tyre size. Depending on the width of rim you have, this may cause you a problem as the wider tyre may need a wider rim.

Using the 215/40/16 as you suggested will cause a 3.58% distortion of the indicted speed on the speedo and your milometer will also be subject to this inaccuracy. The rim issue would not occur though.

sundodger5

sounds like you are misreading something on the tyre spec. normally a difference in profile on a tyre is accompanied by a wider tyre.Common on rear wheel drive cars. also a different rim diameter is very odd.
check it again.

Wicklowrider

sundodger5 wrote: »

sounds like you are misreading something on the tyre spec. normally a difference in profile on a tyre is accompanied by a wider tyre.Common on rear wheel drive cars. also a different rim diameter is very odd.
check it again.

Apologies - you are right, will edit original post
Quote is for 205 45 16, old tyre is 215 45 16
thanks

2 Espressi

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

dergside

Wicklowrider wrote: »

Apologies - you are right, will edit original post Quote is for 205 45 16, old tyre is 215 45 16 thanks

Ahh, makes more sense now!

THOMAS TYRRELL

would try to keep the same size tyres on it, small chance of damage to the diff. seen it happen on two cars before although they were 4 wheel drive but cost thousands to fix. also im not sure what year the car is but if it has a.b.s it might cause the abs light to come on.

macjohn

Wicklowrider wrote: »

My car's manual specifies 215 45 16 on rear

Local tyre supplier, who I really want to deal with,can only source 205 45 16 for the rear.

can anyone tell me what adverse effect this will have on safety, performance etc? Its a RWD (MR2) if that matters.

Thanks for advise.

Given a day or two surely your supplier should be able to source any size tyre you desire?

He could just buy them here and sell them to you - http://www.eiretyres.com/start.html
they have loads of 215 45 16,
or here - http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m62b0s4034p0
as a supplier I am sure he has his own contacts probably with better discounts.

colm_mcm

I wouldn't go changing the tyre size, especially on the back of a RWD car.

There's no way he can't source the tyre, probably wants to move something thats sitting in stock.

Matt Simis

There may also be an issued with ABS and TC (will disable itself) if the overall tire size is -/+ 3% from the design spec overall diameter.