Rims&Tires&Rubbing .. oh my.

[Ms. Sheila :]]

Hi everyone! I'm a total noob when it comes to rims and tires..So I've been searching the forums for a good while about rims and tire sizes, but I haven't been able to find my answer..so here goes!

I'm looking to buy a new set of cheapie rims just to drive around in until i can actually afford something nice, and have come down to 2 options.
Option 1: 15 x 6.5 with a +38 offset
Option 2: 15 x 6.5 with a +40 offset
( Does the 2mm offset make a really big difference?)

I know that tire size also plays a role in whether or not it'll rub.. so I was wondering what would be good size tires for either one of these wheel sizes? 195/55/15 or 195/50/15 or 205/50/15 ?

I'm really worried about rubbing issues and stuff like that. But as of right now I'm still at stock height. I plan on lowering it soon, sometime by the end of this summer (hopefully) ..once I decide whether or not to just get regular lowering springs or save up for coilovers. So, could someone give me some advice on which set of rims would give me less amount of trouble with rubbing, and which tire size would work best without giving me an even bigger wheel gap than I have now while I drive around the next few months at stock height?

Thanks for the help! It's much appreciated!

[kenchan]

out of the 2 choices above, try the 15x6.5 +40mm.

yes, 2mm does make a difference because it only takes 1mm or less
to rub.

the other issue is, often times these wheels made out in china or
watnot do not have the best dimensional tolerance. they may
say +40mm, but in actual dimension may not be.

tires.... 195/50/15's for sure if you're going to lower your car.
it not only gives better clearance from rubbing, it also looks
waaay better, and have a bit better gear ratio for acceleration.

[SD_MR_FIT]

rock the 205/50/r15 tires

but only if the tires arnt azenis rt 615,federal 595s, or t1r.

if you are getting those race tires above...then rock 195 if they have it.


15x6.5 38 will be fine. its the integra oem wheels.
i have no problem at all and im tire tucking with 205/50/r15 so you should havnt a problem

[bitoy]

Well if you don't drop your fit either offset will do, but if drop later then +40 is your safest bet even at 15 x 7.

[SD_MR_FIT]

even dropped the 38 is still fine. seems like 2 different rims.

i mean go with which ever rim looks better of course, but you will be fine guaranteed!

CORRECTION.

rock the 195/50/r15. even though i know your probably not going to be stupid low.

the rear flap or whatever it is, i kinda cut it off. so thats why i have no issues in the rear.
but even then im rocking 205/55/r15 and im still fine with a full load in the car.

really it all comes down to the tire. if you buy from discount tire, they have that satisfaction warranty. so if it rubs, just bring it back.

[Ms. Sheila :]]

Yeah they're 2 different rims, but I was just going to put the rubbing situation before which ones i liked better..cheapies are cheapies Thanks for all your help guys! This is just what I needed to know!

[mahout]

[quote='Ms. Sheila :];357479']Hi everyone! I'm a total noob when it comes to rims and tires..So I've been searching the forums for a good while about rims and tire sizes, but I haven't been able to find my answer..so here goes!

I'm looking to buy a new set of cheapie rims just to drive around in until i can actually afford something nice, and have come down to 2 options.
Option 1: 15 x 6.5 with a +38 offset
Option 2: 15 x 6.5 with a +40 offset
( Does the 2mm offset make a really big difference?)

I know that tire size also plays a role in whether or not it'll rub.. so I was wondering what would be good size tires for either one of these wheel sizes? 195/55/15 or 195/50/15 or 205/50/15 ?

I'm really worried about rubbing issues and stuff like that. But as of right now I'm still at stock height. I plan on lowering it soon, sometime by the end of this summer (hopefully) ..once I decide whether or not to just get regular lowering springs or save up for coilovers. So, could someone give me some advice on which set of rims would give me less amount of trouble with rubbing, and which tire size would work best without giving me an even bigger wheel gap than I have now while I drive around the next few months at stock height?

The rule is minimum 42 mm offset on any wheel if you don't drop and 45 mm if you do.
The popular choices fior wheel/tire combinations are
1. 205/50x15 tires on 15x7 wheels; or
2. 205/45x17 tires on 16x7 wheels; or
3. 205/40x17 tires on 17x7 wheels. These have the least gap between fender and tire.

Using the offsets as above there shouldn't be any rubbing nor has there been on the half-dozen Fits we've shoed. And if mpg is your objective 175/65x15's have proven well at reducing rolling friction and improving mpg.

[Ms. Sheila :]]

Thanks for the info! It's much appreciated!

[MNfit]

The BBS's I ran on my car for about a week were 15X6.5 +38 offset. The tires on the car where 195/50/15. Im lowered on progress springs and I had know problem at all with rubbing.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by MNfit

The BBS's I ran on my car for about a week were 15X6.5 +38 offset. The tires on the car where 195/50/15. Im lowered on progress springs and I had know problem at all with rubbing.

On your wheels and tires OK because the 6.5 rimwidth wheels rims only protrude 1.75" compared to 7"x15/42 protruding 1.84" and you have tiny 195/50x15 tires, a full inch shorter than stock. Those tires are too small to look good. The best looking Fits wear 7" rims with 42mm undropped and 45 mm dropped wheels and 205 section tires..

[SHG_Mike]

Originally Posted by mahout

The best looking Fits wear 7" rims with 42mm undropped and 45 mm dropped wheels and 205 section tires..

The difference in the distance the Face sits from a 7" wheel from a 6.5" wheel is 6mm. So a +45 15x7 wheel face would sit the same location on the fender side like a 15x6.5" wheel at +39 (very close to the +38) Width makes a BIG difference in wheel fitment the most people dont understand. Offset is not a equal comparable number to any wheel, it is directly related to wheel width.

So please dont make a blanket statment that says you need a +42 or+45 or higher. That may be the case for 15x7 wheels, however if a 15x7 wheel would fit at +45 a 15x6.5 would fit at +39 Tires being the same size

OP you should be able to fit 15x6.5 +40 with a 205 tire NO problems. I run 15x7 +38 with FAT 205's while granted i have -2.5* camber in front and about -2* in the rear they still fit with minor rolling in just the back. If your worried then run the 195/50 which i use on a daily basis with the same wheel specs whch i have at least a finger gap from the fender and tire.

Running 195/50 will also give you the advantage of a bit shorter gearing which will help with acceleration. I can notice the difference between the stock size and the 195/50's. And according to my GPS the speedo is only off 1mph

So IMO i think you can run any tire size you prefer with the 15x6.5" +40 but its up to you

[MNfit]

you guys seem to know alot more about wheel sizing then I do so maybe you can help me out with this. Im going to be rebuilding my BBS's with all new hardware and replace the .5" lip with a 1.5" Lip. what would that make the offset to, how would I be looking for clearence and what size tire would you recomend, Thanks.

[mahout]

Originally Posted by MNfit

you guys seem to know alot more about wheel sizing then I do so maybe you can help me out with this. Im going to be rebuilding my BBS's with all new hardware and replace the .5" lip with a 1.5" Lip. what would that make the offset to, how would I be looking for clearence and what size tire would you recomend, Thanks.

Need more info, MN. Exactly what is this 'lip' you are referring to? The part of the rim that holds the tire bead?

[mahout]

Originally Posted by SHG_Mike

The difference in the distance the Face sits from a 7" wheel from a 6.5" wheel is 6mm. So a +45 15x7 wheel face would sit the same location on the fender side like a 15x6.5" wheel at +39 (very close to the +38) Width makes a BIG difference in wheel fitment the most people dont understand. Offset is not a equal comparable number to any wheel, it is directly related to wheel width.

So please dont make a blanket statment that says you need a +42 or+45 or higher. That may be the case for 15x7 wheels, however if a 15x7 wheel would fit at +45 a 15x6.5 would fit at +39 Tires being the same size

OP you should be able to fit 15x6.5 +40 with a 205 tire NO problems. I run 15x7 +38 with FAT 205's while granted i have -2.5* camber in front and about -2* in the rear they still fit with minor rolling in just the back. If your worried then run the 195/50 which i use on a daily basis with the same wheel specs whch i have at least a finger gap from the fender and tire.

Running 195/50 will also give you the advantage of a bit shorter gearing which will help with acceleration. I can notice the difference between the stock size and the 195/50's. And according to my GPS the speedo is only off 1mph

So IMO i think you can run any tire size you prefer with the 15x6.5" +40 but its up to you

The difference in distance from the hub face for a 195 tire on 39mm offset rims is half the tire section width less the offset, or 97.5 - 39 = 58.5mm. But you can't use 39 mm offset for 205 tires. Rubs.
a 195 tire on a 45 mm offset is 97.5 - 45 = 52mm. There's your 1/4" difference. Its not the wheel but the tire position that matters. The wheel and tire centerlines are set by the offset.
BTW A 205 tire on 42 yields 60.5. On 45 its 57.5. 205 on 39 is 63.5 mm and it rubs unless the tire is significantly smaller diameter than 23.4".

The blanket statement covers the widest tires on the widest known rims, aka '7', knowing anything less will fit too.

[MNfit]

Originally Posted by mahout

Need more info, MN. Exactly what is this 'lip' you are referring to? The part of the rim that holds the tire bead?

The wheel is a 15X6.5 +38 Im going to change the half inch lip for a 1.5" lip. making the wheel 15X7.5 So basicly adding another inch to the out side of the wheel

Here is a pic so you know what I mean by lip

[mdm427]

If you are increasing the total rim width by one inch to the outside, then the rim centerline would move a half inch toward the outside. Since your backspace hasn't changed, that means your offset is decreased by that same half inch.

The end result would be a wheel which measures 15 X 7, with a offset of +25mm.

[MNfit]

Originally Posted by mdm427

If you are increasing the total rim width by one inch to the outside, then the rim centerline would move a half inch toward the outside. Since your backspace hasn't changed, that means your offset is decreased by that same half inch.

The end result would be a wheel which measures 15 X 7, with a offset of +25mm.

now that would rub pretty bad with out any fender pulling or rolling right.

[mdm427]

now that would rub pretty bad with out any fender pulling or rolling right.

Probably so.

[mahout]

[quote=MNfit;358747]The wheel is a 15X6.5 +38 Im going to change the half inch lip for a 1.5" lip. making the wheel 15X7.5 So basicly adding another inch to the out side of the wheel

Here is a pic so you know what I mean by lip

Thats the outer half of the rim. Adding one inch makes it a 7.5x15 wheel. The offset changes from 38 mm to 25 mm.That'll rub severely.

The wheel rim centerline changes from 3.25 to 3.75" from either rim edge and the backspace remains 3.25+1.5 = 4.75". (38mm is 1.496 or 1.5")
The backspace less half the rim width (3.75") is 4.75-3.75 = 1" or 25 mm.
Thats going to rub. Well maybe not if you put 20" diameter tires on it.

[mdm427]

Whoops! Everything else is correct, but I somehow dropped the ".5" off of the wheel's width. Mahout is correct, the new wheel dimensions would be 15 X 7.5, with a 25mm offset.