GameGuy369

iTrader: (1)

I've done some reading/searching, but considering my financial situation, I would just love one final validation.

I now use my stock 18" rims for 225/45/18 snow tires.

I have been for the past few years using 18" Enkei GTC-01's for summer tires that were 235/40/18 in size. I just ordered 225/45/18 of the Continental DW tires so that my speedometer will once again match up year round.

Basically, there's no magical reason why I cant fit a 225/45/18 on my Enkei's correct? I'm sure this is a dumb question, just need some piece of mind.

Thanks as always guys!

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

what width are your Enkei's?

GameGuy369

iTrader: (1)

8 inches - I believe.

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

Stock wheels are 18x8, so you will get stock fitment with your 225/45R18's.

I only asked to make sure you weren't running excessively wide wheels or something.

GameGuy369

iTrader: (1)

OK. Thanks for the responses. It's just one of those things where I was 99% sure but needed to get a final 1% elsewhere, lol.

mrl84

i know you said you already ordered the tires but for future referance if you wanted to go with a wider tire for the summer set(i assume thats why you got the 235 in the first place) you could go 245/40/18, that set-up would only be 1% smaller than stock so that when you are actually moving 60mph the speedo if it was acurate enough would say 60.6mph.

GameGuy369

iTrader: (1)

Gotcha - thanks for the additional info. It wasn't my original intent with the 235 tires - it just so happened i found an ad on craigslist or something that someone had the Enkei's with those tires on it. I assume wider provides better handling or something?

Edit: nevermind - decided to end the lazy and google it. The tires arent in stock til the 14th apparently so I do have a day or two to change my mind. However, It appears they are roughly $40 more per tire, and really I need to end the money-pain somewhere! But definitely good to know in the future!

JCrane82

iTrader: (3)

GameGuy,

I want to add that you can put 245/40R18's on 8" wide wheels without issue, but this is borderline for tire section width on a 8" wheel. Many people have done this (and can be found through searching) with the RX8 and stock wheels, but I just want to specify that even though you may gain some additional contact patch, the tire sidewalls will not be supported as well with only a 8" wheel (hurting turn in response). Just because you can fit a 245 on a 8" wheel, doesn't mean it is a great idea. Most street tires have soft sidewalls, and an undersized wheel only makes this worse. Again....don't want to start a debate about tire section and wheel width, as this has been debated in many other threads....I just want to identify that you have options, but research so you make the most educated decision.

Think of the wheel/tire combo as a system along with the suspension components. If you are interested or intending on tracking your 8 this becomes increasingly important for setting up your wheel/tire/suspension system. This is less critical for the street however.

NotAPreppie

What JCrane82 wrote is true in the absolute sense. However, the difference in "feel" between 225/45 and 245/40 sizes of the same tire on the same wheel will be entirely in the mind of 95% of drivers (never underestimate the power of the "butt dyno" to deceive you).

Additionally, sizing on many tires is really a ballpark figure. I've seen stacks of four, new, equal-sized tires from different manufacturers show an obvious difference in height.

The take-home of my post is that if you aren't racing your car, buy what your budget allows and don't get too pedantic about sizing (within reason, of course).