Widest tire on a 15 x 5.5" rim?

[Smitty90acc]

I'm looking to do some autoXing next year and I don't want to run on my 17's since they weigh 21 pounds each. I would like to know what is the widest tire size I can fit on my stock rims (15 x 5.5). I was thinking about 215/50/15, but I'm not sure they will fit.

Also, does anyone know how heavy the stock 4th gen Accord EX rims are?

[89ssgti]

Hey Smitty,if you look at the tire charts from the manufacturer,they state the narrowest and the widest approved rim width for each of the tire sizes.I'll try and find one or maybe they are listed on their websites.

[89ssgti]

Just like that.

[texan]

Also, remember that wider is not always better. A tire that just barely fits on the rim is not going to perform as well as it would on a wider rim, the orientation of the sidewall and tire bead to the rim is a very important factor in how the tire behaves. I run 225/45 tires on my stock rims (which come with 205/50's), and though these tires have much more grip than the stockers, I did notice a small decrease in responsiveness at turn-in due to the different seating of sidewall to rim (not as vertical on the bigger tire, it has to stretch in a bit from the tread to seat on the rim).

[CivicSiRacer]

Originally posted by texan
Also, remember that wider is not always better. A tire that just barely fits on the rim is not going to perform as well as it would on a wider rim, the orientation of the sidewall and tire bead to the rim is a very important factor in how the tire behaves. I run 225/45 tires on my stock rims (which come with 205/50's), and though these tires have much more grip than the stockers, I did notice a small decrease in responsiveness at turn-in due to the different seating of sidewall to rim (not as vertical on the bigger tire, it has to stretch in a bit from the tread to seat on the rim).

Exactly cause the bigger tire on the wrong rim will cause it to balloon in the middle and when autocrossing you will never be able to use the whole tire effectively even playing with air pressures.

185/65x14" 195/55x15" are the correct tires for a Civic so you could go to a 195/60x14" or a 205/50x15" for a little bit bigger contact patch, but anything bigger than that will downgrade your handling.

[Smitty90acc]

This is all very interesting. I guess I should stick to a 205 section tire if I want to use those stock rims. Thanks a lot guys!

[Dezoris]

Originally posted by Smitty90acc
This is all very interesting. I guess I should stick to a 205 section tire if I want to use those stock rims. Thanks a lot guys!

That is max where you are at now