Tire and wheel size question?
Posted by PerfectEqual5797@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 6 comments
The stock wheels are 215/45r18 and I want to switch to 225/50r16
I keep seeing stuff about offsets and whatnot. What exactly is that? Is it even advisable to change to a smaller rim tire with a thicker sidewall? I’ve seen a few people say it gives a much smoother comfortable ride.
22 Mazda 3 hatch
zemzy_oseris@reddit
First off you need to make sure 16” wheels will clear the brakes.
Offset is kinda hard to explain without pictures, but basically, it’s where the mounting point of the wheel is, compared to the middle of that wheel. A positive offset means that the mounting point is closer to the outside of the wheel, this usually means the tire & wheel moving inward when mounted. A negative offset means the mounting point is closer to the inside of the wheel, this usually results in the tire & wheel poking out closer to the fenders of the car. If you have too much negative offset, or too thick of wheels, this can cause the tire to poke outside the body line of your car. In the car community this is generally referred to as “fitment”. Having the wheels be as close as possible to the fender is usually desired for aesthetics.
There are a lot of websites that will calculate fitment as long as you have the specs (width/profile/diameter & wheel width/offset) for the stock & new wheels & tires. WillTheyFit is the one i use.
One last thing, I’d recommend going with 225/55/16 and this will have the height of the tire nearly identical to stock. Stock the height of a 215/45/18 is 25.6”. With a 225/55/16 the height is 25.7”. This means your speedometer will not be as far off due to diameter differences.
PerfectEqual5797@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much! This is exactly the info I was looking for!! Love ya buddy ❤️
LurpyGeek@reddit
https://www.willtheyfit.com/
jrileyy229@reddit
Do you know if a 16" wheel will clear the brake caliper?
PerfectEqual5797@reddit (OP)
Not 100% sure. I’ve seen a few people say they switched but no comment on fitment issues afaik. Maybe rubbing on the wheel well? I think that’s what they said. They had to remove part of the bumper or something? Shave it down? lol I don’t know anything about this stuff sorry 😂
jrileyy229@reddit
Wheel well rubbing would have nothing to do with the wheel, that's all about tire size.
You'd be better off on a Nissan forum asking that question to find out which 16" wheels would fit