Quality Tire in 205/55r15

[wisdom62]

I'm about to put some rubber on my Prelude Si wheels which are 15x6.5" +55 offset. I live in Colorado and these will be used during winter months so I need a All Weather tire.
I read through the tire section a lot and didn't find much for my questions.

There are not many brand choices and I was going to go with the Kumho ASX but found some negative reviews so I wanted some opinions. What about Falken Ziex?

I would like to stay with the 205/55r15 tire but with limited tire brands, maybe I should change size.

I will be lowered on neuspeed sports which are 1.7"f and 1.5" back and will be on the lowest perch on Koni Yellows.

What tire brand do you recommend?

Thanks

[wildBill83]

195/60-R15 is stock OEM tire size, if you go with 205/55-R15 it will throw off your speedometer.

I would get a wider tread and same size sidewall if I were you. Say 205/60-R15.

What are you looking for out of the tire? Traction or treadlife?

Toyo
Sumitumo
BF Goodrich
Bridgestone
Potenza
Yokohama
Goodyear
Khumo
Pirelli
Michelin
Hankook *currently using V12 Ventus 205/55-R16 on my coupe
(in no specific order)

[wisdom62]

I thought the stock size for the Prelude SI wheel is 205/55r15 sense its a 6.5" wide wheel andfrom what I can see on here most people seem to recommend the 205/55r15 tire for the prelude wheels.

I wheels came with 205/60r15 tires and they seem a little big.

Looking for traction mostly but a decent lifespan also. Needs to handle winter and wet conditions well also. I've been reading good reviews on the Falken Ziex and might be going that route.

[wildBill83]

The tires that came on the rims don't matter. OEM recommendations for Prelude and Accord are not the same. Your speedo is calibrated for a 60 sidewall on a 15" rim. The sidewall and rim size determine you tire outside diameter. Differ from the recommended outside diameter and you affect your final gearing, seeing tires as the last ratio in the chain that is.

If you were putting the wheels on a Prelude then do a 205/55-R15, if you are putting it on an Accord you should do 205/60-R15. If you are putting them on a civic 205/50-R15... see what I'm getting at here?

If cost is not an issue, get Michelin. I'm fairly happy with my Hankooks. Michelin have an 80,000 mile warranty but may not have the grip of a 50,000 mile warrantied tire like my Hankooks.

[wisdom62]

I understand what your saying Bill. Thanks for the explanation.

[wildBill83]

If you want a smaller sidewall get larger rims. For every inch in rim size go down 5mm in side wall.

I have 205/55-R16 next step up would be 205/50-R17 to keep outside diameter in spec.

[Jarrett]

The sidewall is a percentage of the tire width. Assuming the diameter of the wheel stays the same, as the width of the tire increases the sidewall numberical value will decrease. However, it still won't be perfect. 60% of 195 is 117 and 55% of 205 is 112.75.

[wisdom62]

Makes sense. I will be going with the 205/60r15's which will allow me to get a better tire for less price as well.

I also found some pics on here of this size tire and it looks good. I think it will fit my drop well. Thanks again for the information.

[wildBill83]

Jarrett is correct. I am mis-informed.

http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php...&Submit=Submit

With +55 offset how much suspension clearance do you have?

[Sordz]

Actually 205/55/15 will change your speedo to 60.8mph at 60mph
205/60/15 will put you at 58.8mph at 60

So, 205/55/15 IS a better choice. And your right the 205/60 you had will look taller because they are .5" taller than stock.

[wisdom62]

I'm not sure on the clearance yet. I am probably going with 10mm spacers and extend studs to get a little more clearance and push it out a little.

The selection is so much better for 205/60r15 than 55.

[wildBill83]

Yeah, that 10mm spacer would make it sit nice and centered over the hub bearing.

[dysfunk]

Going from a 195/60/15 to a 205/55/15 is only a -1.4% difference. which means that his speedometer will only show slower by o.8 of a mph. where as if he's doing 60mph, he would really be going 60.8. Not that much of a difference to even care.

Now if he were to run a 205/60/15, there's a +2.0% difference, meaning he will be running 61.2mph, the 205/55/15 would be a much better choice in my opinion, if it was that big of a deal.


I suggest, if you have an android phone, downloading the app called 'Tire Calculator'

[ShowStopper71z2]

I have run off brand tires and name brand tires. The name brand will cost more but will also last longer. I only run top quality tires now. They will cost more up front but over the life they will save you money. I like michelin or bfg. Just my 2 cent.

[Tippey764]

God dammit jarret, you always beat me to correcting people

Bleh i'm going to go be grumy else where