Is the tire guy bullshitting me?

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:39 pm

So I went to a local wheel shop today to get some tires fitted. I wanted my 205/40/17 replaced with a set of used 215/45/17 I brought with me. After checking some stuff on his computer he told me that I shouldn't run 215/45/17 because its almost 1 inch larger then the stock wheel+tire size, and that he can go ahead and put them on if I really wanted it but if I start having transmission problems or something then he is not responsible.

Does he know what he is talking about or was he just trying to bs me into buying a set of new tires?

PS: My car is auto.

Post by **racer12306** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:45 pm

185/60/15: 23.74"
205/40/17: 23.46"
215/45/17: 24.62

this is the tire height of each tire in inches, so yes the 215/45/17 combo is almost an inch taller. 215/40/17 would be better

215/40/17: 23.77"

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:46 pm

racer12306 wrote:185/60/15: 23.74"
205/40/17: 23.46"
215/45/17: 24.62

this is the tire height of each tire in inches, so yes the 215/45/17 combo is almost an inch taller. 215/40/17 would be better

215/40/17: 23.77"

yes I realize it really is 1 inch bigger but is he bs'ing me about the transmission problems n such?

Post by **racer12306** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:51 pm

oops missed that part.

shouldn't cause an trans problems its just that the car will be a little slower accelerating. autos will be worse (if you have one). its only an inch taller, thats not really that much. and im pretty sure a number of people are running that size.

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:53 pm

I should have mentioned I have an auto.

The guy talked like he knew tires and the mechanical side but didn't seem to know his cars.

He thought my car was a sebring because it was debadged

oklamopar · Post by **oklamopar** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 11:02 pm

speedometer will be off, may have a clearance problem with the struts. but transmission problems. sounds like he's yanking your chain.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:36 am

They'll fit. It'll be close, but they will fit.

OB · Post by OB » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:39 am

I'd go with the closest tires that will keep you near stock size. This way you will have much less chance of clearance issues. Larger tire diameters will also change your final drive a hair, and the larger inertia and weight will drop performance a bit too, as stated above. Go with the 40's

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:46 am

You'll transfer less force to the ground... the engine only produces a given moment force about the axle... lengthing the moment arm (making the tire larger diameter) will reduce the amount of force put to the pavment.

And, you will likely (very likely) increase you rotational mass moment of inertia, putting more tortional stress on the axle... that one vid of the donk with 40 inchers (or something like that) that brakes an axle (or some drivetrain stuff) while racing comes to mind...

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:46 am

I already have the 215/45/17 , got em real cheap.

Im just wondering if the guy was just trying to bullshit me into buying a new set of 205/40/17 by telling me stuff about transmission problems and how he won't be responsible.

So I would be putting extra street on the drive train and transmission and could run into problems? 1 inch makes that much of a difference?

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:47 am

As long as it doesn't rub... it should be fine. But don't expect better performance.

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:49 am

And another question, if it does rub a little, what are the dangers in that?

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:52 am

Damaging the tire.

infinitelybetr · Post by **infinitelybetr** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:41 am

i've been running 215/45/17 for numerous years on 2 of my neons never had any problems just make sure your rims are a 40 offset or less

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 4:13 pm

Aparently no one is answering his question....
Will the tire size effect his trani?
In a sence yes and no.......
Swapping to a 1" taller tire will effect your performance and will be more stressfull on your trani, but in reality it all depends on your driving happits. No one can tell you how long your trani will last, it all depends on how you maintain it and abuse it. Your trani could last forever with 20" wheels on your car as long as you drive it respectably. But the same info applies if your running 14's. The 4speed or 3speed trani can handle a lot of abuse and outlast your car if its properly used and maintained. Just switching tire sice from 40 to 45 series tires is NOT going to make your trani last any longer or shorter in life. It boils down to the driver or operator....

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:28 pm

Alright well I think i'm gonna get these tires mounted tomorrow, i'd prefer 215/40/17 but money is tight with school and with other mods i'm planning and I got these tires with plenty tread for only $60.

The car currently has kazera drop springs installed 1.5'' front and 1.4'' rear.

I just pray it won't rub on the fender or the strut perch.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:39 pm

good luck

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:51 pm

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:good luck

thanks....also pray that I don't mess up my transmission.

On the plus side, the larger tire will help fill up that gap eh

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:25 am

Another thing to consider is braking performance: a larger diameter has more leverage on the brakes. I had 205/60-14 on my Neon mtx and ended up putting 195\60-14 on because it took too much clutch slip to get going. This is a smaller diference in size than 1". But an auto is more forgiving as it will stay in lower gears longer to compensate for the load. You may consider a trans cooler as your torque converter will not lock up as soon, raising temps. Probably what he was un/knowingly thinking when he mentioned trans failure.

Link to tire size calculator: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
just one of many...

Pablodragon · Post by **Pablodragon** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:57 am

these forums are great for info!... I'd just like to thank the experts here... I've been considering (actually saving for..) new rims and tires for a while, and the more I read here, the more I am considering a smaller rim/tire combo... seemed like 17 was the way to go at first, but I love the torq-y-ness or accelleration of the stock 14 inchers...I'm really considering even 15's now

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:08 am

Hey, I've been running 215/45/17's for around 20,000 KM now and no issues. You might run into a clearance issue with the rear struts but some 3 or 5mm spacers will solve that problem.

As far as the tranny goes, I talked to an older friend that is a very, very smart mechanic, and he said that the extra inch wouldn't hurt the ATX. You will notice decreased acceleration and you're brakes will need to work much harder to slow you down. The SRT-4 swap or rear disc conversion will quickly solve that problem. I'm currently running mopar ceramic pads up front and SRT-4 rear discs and I have no issues coming to a fast stop.

What tire shop are you dealing with?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:36 pm

Pablodragon wrote:these forums are great for info!... I'd just like to thank the experts here... I've been considering (actually saving for..) new rims and tires for a while, and the more I read here, the more I am considering a smaller rim/tire combo... seemed like 17 was the way to go at first, but I love the torq-y-ness or accelleration of the stock 14 inchers...I'm really considering even 15's now

The only reason we're having this discussion is be cause deep1ca is considering going 1" over "stock" diameter, otherwise there werent any iissues. the only reason I run 14's is I already had the wheels from my old Sundance, they are 1/2' wider than Neon 14's.
17's willwork fine as long as the diameter is close to what tire size came from the factory and the width clears everything. Any reputable tire dealer will tell what offset you need for the rims/tires.

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:40 pm

daaboots wrote:Hey, I've been running 215/45/17's for around 20,000 KM now and no issues. You might run into a clearance issue with the rear struts but some 3 or 5mm spacers will solve that problem.

As far as the tranny goes, I talked to an older friend that is a very, very smart mechanic, and he said that the extra inch wouldn't hurt the ATX. You will notice decreased acceleration and you're brakes will need to work much harder to slow you down. The SRT-4 swap or rear disc conversion will quickly solve that problem. I'm currently running mopar ceramic pads up front and SRT-4 rear discs and I have no issues coming to a fast stop.

What tire shop are you dealing with?

Im just about to head out now, I went to deal4wheels on merivale because The Tire Shop was closed. I think the guy was just trying to mess me around a little because he was too lazy to just switch the tires or wanted me to buy new tires.... i say that because I got there at 4:13pm and the guy told me he couldn't do them that day...and I was like "I just drove all the way here for nothing? I called ahead and you told me to come around 4pm" Then he thought about it and said ok.

But the tire shop is open today and i'm heading there right now.

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:03 pm

Stay away from deals 4 wheels man, seriously. Myself and my friend both had very bad experiences with them. The Tire Shop is a good place.

Post some pics when you're done!

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:55 am

daaboots wrote:Stay away from deals 4 wheels man, seriously. Myself and my friend both had very bad experiences with them. The Tire Shop is a good place.

Post some pics when you're done!

Well i got to the tire shop thinking I had class at 4:00 .... at 2:25 they are just about to get the first wheel off and my buddy calls "where are you man.... class starts in like 5 minutes" .... i booked it down the queensway at like 140 and got there 10 mins late.

So i'll be going back to the tire shop tomorrow, stop by at no limits first to pick up some 5mm spacers.

Now I just pray no limits has the spacers i need in stock.

PS: What size spacers? 3mm? 5mm? 7mm? 8mm?

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:17 am

You might be able to get away with 3mm, but 5mm would be a safe choice.

dodge_girl · Post by **dodge_girl** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:39 pm

i have 215/45/17 on my car with no problems (kinda late on this one but thought youd like to hear someone else with those tires without problems)

deep1ca · Post by **deep1ca** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:35 am

dodge_girl wrote:i have 215/45/17 on my car with no problems (kinda late on this one but thought youd like to hear someone else with those tires without problems)

Not too late....

Im going in the morning, i'm picking up 5mm spacers from daaboots before I go. My car is dropped on Kazera sport springs (1.5'' F 1.4'' R) and I think i'll clear the strut perch with the spacers but then run into fender problems.

dodge_girl · Post by **dodge_girl** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:02 pm

deep1ca wrote:
dodge_girl wrote:i have 215/45/17 on my car with no problems (kinda late on this one but thought youd like to hear someone else with those tires without problems)
Not too late....

Im going in the morning, i'm picking up 5mm spacers from daaboots before I go. My car is dropped on Kazera sport springs (1.5'' F 1.4'' R) and I think i'll clear the strut perch with the spacers but then run into fender problems.

Unfortunatly i don't know a lot of details about some of my mods becuase they were already done when i bought the car, i know my car has lowering springs but no idea what brand they are or how much the drop is, so other than me telling you i am running 215/45/75 on my car and no probs im not much help lol

half_twisted · Post by **half_twisted** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:20 pm

im running 215-45-17 with progress 1.8 drop springs and have no rubbing issues.. the ride is a lil bit smoother in the entire power range