At present I have 205 45 17 on my scoob but the two front tyres need replacing, as the rolling radius of the 215 40 17 is the same as that of the 205 45 17 is it safe to put the wider tyre on the front as there is much more choice of tyre in this size and change the back ones when they have finished?

please help

Dewi

 

Dewi,the rolling radius of a 17" rim with 45 series tyres is different than those with 40 series tyres so no you cant change them,keep to the same aspect ratio all round.
Also its illegal to have wider tyres at the front even if its only 10mm more width.
Stick to the ones you have or get 215/45 17s for the rear and put the original rears to the front.
Hope this helps

Darren

 

Dewi,
They wont help you get away from me

 

DARREN
I thought that the rolling radius of the 215 40 was the same as the 205 45
also you mentioned the 215 45 17, these are too big for the MY00

Mellow
You never know

 

Aww bugger you folk are confusing me now, I dont know which size of toyos to order now!!

I am changing from 205 45 17 Pzeros, someone please enlighten me.

Andy


[This message has been edited by Andy W (edited 23 September 2001).]

 

In answer to what the correct size for 17's is the answer is this -

1993-2000 - 205/45/17 or 215/40/17 only
2001- - Standard WRX 215/45/17 only
2001- - STI - 225/45/17

Easy!
Jon

 

Dewi, goto

 

I think the 205/45 and 215/40 rolling radius only differs by millimeters.
Both will fit MY00 and earlier

The 40(aspect ratio) is a percentage of tyre width. So the wider the tyre the lower the aspect ratio for the same (almost)Tyre wall hight and therefore rolling radius!!!

225/45 17's(fromMY01) on a MY00 and earlier have a higher r.radius and make the spedo read about 6mph out.

Not sure about mixing sizes on the same car but as long as its not across axels IMHO it should be OK. Call Scoobysport etc and ask.

Hope this doesn't even more.

Iain.

 

Topdog

If you have a MY00 or older you can fit the 215/40/17 as most people have done including me, instead of the original fitment 205/45/17.(RB5) I fitted Toyo Proxes T1-S.

I suggest you change all four at once. I would not drive with different width/profile tyres on different axles. An accident waiting to happen IMHO.

If your rear tyres are just a bit better than your fronts suggest you fit them to front to even out wear then replace all together.

Beastie

 

Hi topdog

As mentioned above the correct size is:
205/50/16
205/45/17
215/40/17 (0,6 cm smaller)
In my opinion don't mix different sizes, and don't change the front to rears due to different wear (or change it often, for example every 5000 km).
And don't forget the most important, the offset of your wheels, if you plan to fit 215/40/17!

Cheers
Jim

 

Guys,
After reading your views, I'm confused . I've got a MY99 with a set of Eibach springs on. All I want to know is - Will a set of MY01 17 inch WRX alloys with 215/45 tyres , fit my car OK.
I'm particularly concerned about the tyres rubbing the inside of the rear arches.

 

DocSavage
Although I have seen a MY99 with MY01 wheels and 215 45 17's on and the owner said they were OK, others say that they do rub the rear arches

Dewi