Hello, What is the widest 15 inch tire size I can put on my stock steelies without rubbing?...Honda Fit 2009 base model (NOT LOWERED) ...I want a noticable width difference, but nothing to extreme.195/60-15 FALKEN ZIEX ZE-512 60R R15 TIRES is this size ok?


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A 195/60/15 should work fine, it fits in with the TIA 3% guideline for plus sizing, and they aren't much wider than the stock tires.

 

You could get away with a 205/55-15 I'm pretty sure but nothing bigger. 205 is a good bit more meat than the OEM 175 too.

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking.

 

I wouldn't go much wider than 195 so the sidewall is square. It's a 5" width wheel and I don't see 205 giving much more of an advantage over 195 on an all season tire like the 512. The sidewall will be squirmy with 205s and, Falken 512 sidewalls are weak anyway.

 

Ah I forgot he was looking at Falken's. I was thinking NT450 Nitto's or Yokohama S.Drives for the 205.

 

Well, IIRC 195/60/15 is only recommended for 5.5" to 7" width, and I THINK base steelies are 5" in width, so even 195 would be pushing it.

I put 205/50 on 5.5" steeles before (Kumho ASX) and it felt wierd, 195/50 felt much better. This was on track though, probably no bearing on DD ha.

 

Gah are they really only 5" wide? That seems pathetically small.

 

Upon further research i've discovered they're 5.5".

Now I may go get 195/60, i'm due for tires... learn something new every day

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

Thanks for the help guys! Falkens are a tire I was looking at, but not necessarily going to purchase...So there isn't much of a width difference between 175/65R15 and 195/60-15.....or is this wider 195/55-15

 

There's a 20mm difference in width between 175 and 195 (that number is the width in mm) but it is not exactly the same from tire model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer, it is, however, very close to the actual width. The second number shows how tall the sidewall of the tire is. So 195/60 and 195/55 should be the same width, but the 195/55 will have a shorter, more square, and stiffer sidewall, which is better for performance, worse for ride comfort.

185/60/15, 185/65/15 or 195/60/15 would all be fine. I've had the Falken 512 in 185/65/15 for a little over a year, they don't last that long (about 30k miles with regular rotations) but handle well for the price, about $65 a tire. The Falken 612 and 912 last longer, but are a harder compound tire and as such have a lower traction rating. They are slightly more expensive as well.

This thread actually just made me order my tires, I wanted the Kumho ASX in 195/60/15 but I guess they're on national backorder through Discount Tire . I ended up getting Falken 512s again, but in 195/60/15 this time. $65 a tire though so I can't complain I guess.

 

Very good explanation!

I had the Falken 512's on my Fit and they were pretty damn good for the price. I'm in the air on either Nitto's or Falken's for the CRZ. May get something cheap and decent to hold me off until I can get the 18" rims I want.

 

Have fun Rollin' on your new Falkin 512's! It looks like Tint is coming first this Saturday & then I'll be rollin' onto 195/65 R15

 

For some reason I thought I read 15" alloys...

For the 5" wide steelies, 195 is better... glad some one caught that.

 

Don't get 195/65, sidewall is too big, get 195/60. It will keep your speedo, mpg meter and odometer accurate to within 1% (iirc)