After 4 years and some 30k miles, it's almost time to retire my Conti's DWS summer tires, which were 255/45/18s. I'm going to go with the Hankook Ventus line but am in between a rock and a hard place on which tire size to go with. I can stick with the 255's or go back down to stock which is 235/50/18. Would I see any noticeable difference in ride or handling characteristics being that the difference between the two sizes isn't that drastic?
Difference in Ride/Handling
- Thread starter cm581978
- Start date
Deez-67
Senior Member
Your going to spin out and end up in a ditch if you go down to the smaller tire size for sure!!
JEWC_Motorsports
S197 Junkie
I agree, BBR tuned, 4.10's, and smaller tires are you crazy?????
TGR96
el blanco nino
I'm jealous that you got 30K out of your Continental DWs. Mine have less than 20K and are pretty much shot!
I'm no tire expert, but I would say that there wouldn't be much performance difference based on tire size, but there may be a difference going from the Contis to the Hankooks. I have never owned Hankooks, so I can't comment on those. I just know that when I went from Nitto 555s to my DWs, I feel in love with the Contis.
Just based on aesthetics, I'd go with the 255s. I have always felt that 235s were just too narrow for our cars.
I'm no tire expert, but I would say that there wouldn't be much performance difference based on tire size, but there may be a difference going from the Contis to the Hankooks. I have never owned Hankooks, so I can't comment on those. I just know that when I went from Nitto 555s to my DWs, I feel in love with the Contis.
Just based on aesthetics, I'd go with the 255s. I have always felt that 235s were just too narrow for our cars.
better ride and worse handling with smaller 235/50s
it's really not that complex of a question - think about it, less contact patch and bigger side wall on a 235/50 vs. 255/45, what does logic dictate??
now the difference in sidewall is small at 2.5% so the ride will likely not change much
it's really not that complex of a question - think about it, less contact patch and bigger side wall on a 235/50 vs. 255/45, what does logic dictate??
now the difference in sidewall is small at 2.5% so the ride will likely not change much
It's really not that complex of a question - think about it, less contact patch and bigger side wall on a 235/50 vs. 255/45, what does logic dictate??
Honestly, it beats me. I'm not that technical with cars, hence why I asked the question.
Honestly, it beats me. I'm not that technical with cars, hence why I asked the question.
TGR96
el blanco nino
OP, here's a good article explaining how to interpret tire sizes.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...sizes&ef_id=0MVNa@fb@hcAAAlW:20141016163929:s
Norm Peterson
corner barstool sitter
I don't think there'd be too much difference. Assuming that your wheels are stock, they should be 8.5" wide. This provides relatively firmer lateral support to the 235/50 tire's tread, mitigating some of what it gives up to the same make and model tire in 255/45 - and a slightly firmer ride. So what I'd expect would be for the 255/45's to ride at least as well, have slightly higher ultimate grip, and have initial cornering response just a little softer than 235/50's.
FWIW, from the front or rear, a 255/45 tire mounted on an 8.5" wide wheel will measure only about 0.4" wider than a 235/50 on that same 8.5" wide wheel. That's because on 8.5" wide wheels, the 235/50 (measured on a 7.5" wide wheel) stretches out to about 245 wide while the 255/45 is measured on 8.5" wide wheels and gains nothing. The 255/45 will still have a wider tread if you can make yourself only look at that and not the widest part on the sidewalls.
My opinion about 255/45's in general (ignoring 235/50's) - 8.5" would be the choice for when ride is clearly more important than handling, use 9" or 9.5" when handling takes increasing priority.
Norm
FWIW, from the front or rear, a 255/45 tire mounted on an 8.5" wide wheel will measure only about 0.4" wider than a 235/50 on that same 8.5" wide wheel. That's because on 8.5" wide wheels, the 235/50 (measured on a 7.5" wide wheel) stretches out to about 245 wide while the 255/45 is measured on 8.5" wide wheels and gains nothing. The 255/45 will still have a wider tread if you can make yourself only look at that and not the widest part on the sidewalls.
My opinion about 255/45's in general (ignoring 235/50's) - 8.5" would be the choice for when ride is clearly more important than handling, use 9" or 9.5" when handling takes increasing priority.
Norm
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