Max tire width on 6.5" rim

[JonRav4]

Hi All,

I'm getting new tires on our '96 Rav4. The stock tires are 215/70/16. I'd like to get something a little wider to improve handling. How wide can I go with correct fit and no bulging on a 6.5" wheel: 225/65, 23560 or 65? Fender clearance is not a problem, just wheel width limitation.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

[drdisque]

Goodyear makes a 235/65/16 that will fit on those rims, unfortunately, they cost $199 each and thats the only manufacturer I could find for tires in that size.

[Rufe]

You could probably go as wide as a 255/series and still be within the manuf. approved rim width range (6.5 - 8.0). If you can find one.

Generally speaking, (ie: spec's may vary with manufacturer)
225/ no problem
235/ no problem
245/ you are now at the minimum rim width
255/ about max you can go, at the minimum rim width (Light truck)

Your problem is going to be finding a tire that is close to your original tire's diameter. You can go to a different diameter tire, but your speedometer and overall gearing will change slightly.

To match closer to the original wheel diameter, you might consider these...

225/70 -16 (maybe)
225/65 -16
235/60 -16