Wheels and Tires FAQ (updated w/ sizing) - READ THIS!

[only1db]

yes...you can even lower the car provided you use some - camber. without the camber you may have rubbing but not likely.

[carchick78]

yes...you can even lower the car provided you use some - camber. without the camber you may have rubbing but not likely.

Thank you. I finally got a straight answer from someone.

[only1db]

thats what i'm here for ...to stop the spread of ignorance....it was my pleasure to serve you.

[BattleRifleG3]

I would like to contribute that I have installed 205/65-R15 tires with absolutely no troubles, and have hauled four people and a full trunk. From the measurements I have taken, I cannot say with any certainly that tires of a larger diameter would fit. This option is for people who want to increase the net diameter of the wheels.

[Tyburn]

did you lower your Elantra?

[BattleRifleG3]

Nope, these tires fit this way in an unmodified suspension. The purpose was to raise ground clearance and take bumps more easily. The car is effectively raised about 5/8".

[BattleRifleG3]

I did a little bit more measuring and must say that I think 205/65-R15 is the absolute maximum that will fit on a stock Elantra XD. Any larger and I think it would hit the struts. Basically my pinky finger wouldn't fit in the space left.

[Doohickie]

Any chance of getting a 55 series tire to fit on a 16-inch rim (stock ride height)?

Also, how different is the ride with 16 inch wheels and 50-series tires? I know it will be an improvement in handling, but at what cost relative to ride quality and road noise?

[CTele02]

I did a little bit more measuring and must say that I think 205/65-R15 is the absolute maximum that will fit on a stock Elantra XD. Any larger and I think it would hit the struts. Basically my pinky finger wouldn't fit in the space left.

My next tire im going with will be a 225/50/15 which is closer to stock sidewall than any other size while adding 30mm more width on each tire! A member on elantraclub did it and he has eibachs springs, so im gonna do the same since i have eibachs springs and 15inch rims. But ill make sure there is no rubbing...

Sidewall:
195/60/15 :: 117mm (stock)
205/65/15 :: 133.25mm (what you have)
205/50/15 :: 102.5mm (what I have now)
225/50/15 :: 112.5mm (what I want for next)

I've noticed also that my "top speed" has decreased since the smaller diameter tires acts as a smaller gear, while increasing acceleration.

[soullesselantra]

it would be close to rubbing, but once again it all depends on the offset of the wheel and the width of the tire...i have 205/40/17s on my car, and had a morot for my honda in the trunk with the wheels tucked, and had no rubbing whatsoever (but i did scrape the muffler every once in a while on the bumps...lol)...but back on the point, @ stock ride height, you can fit them on, but the speedo will be off a touch and it will be a little bit of a smoother ride for ya too.

[scud]

Something I don't get is, I understand going too big can cause rubbing, but what's wrong with getting an undersized tire?

Why would a 215/35R18 be a bad size?

[silet]

225/50/15 on stock alloys fit with no rubbing issues.

[BattleRifleG3]

Something I don't get is, I understand going too big can cause rubbing, but what's wrong with getting an undersized tire?
Why would a 215/35R18 be a bad size?

I don't recall anyone saying there was anything wrong with them.

Only drawbacks would be lower clearance and probably lower top speed. You'd also have to shift sooner than otherwise to keep the same level of engine wear and optimal fuel efficiency, as well as mentally adjust the speedometer. Those tires would be about a 1.2% reduction in radius, which directly relates to speed and acceleration. You will be able to accelerate that much more in each gear, and your speedometer will read that much higher than your actual speed.

Newbee: elantra GT
Shopping for 17".....Read that 205/45/17 is ideal, no rubbing. 215/45/17 might rub with passenger in rear.
My snow tires 205/55/16 (goodrich WS) is rubbing the fender at full load, ok otherwise.(Elantra VE)
Seems that i have more choices. thanks.

My numbers say that the 205/55/16 is smaller in diameter and obviously equivalent in width to the 205/65/15 that I have driven with having a relatively full load and haven't noticed any rubbing. Would that be a difference between your VE (what year?) and my '05 GT hatch?

[BlueRush]

I have 215/55/15 on stock steel rim. No issues over the last year.

[CsL_FrEaK]

Administrator said that this should be here so here it is...
I know this is not a wide selection of rims(only RC and brock manufacturor) but it's not bad to see how it fits it has many hyundai models
I hope this helps somene
its on german but it's easy to use
http://www.bmf-gmbh.de/cgi-bin/rcdesign/fr_auswahl.pl

[DAILLESTWUN]

Oh no the link doesn't work on post #7!!!

[Catfish]

Has anyone tried 225/35's on 18"x7.5" ?
According to the wheel-calculator I used, it should be possible but I wonder if anyone tried this size already...

[DAILLESTWUN]

Depends on what springs/drop you have. i have 225-40-18 on my ride and it's fine. But it's lowered on Eibach's so not too much lowering.

I think 35 series tire is too low and you run the risk of damaging your rims..

[Catfish]

Hm, but with 40's the size (perimeter?) is bigger then with OEM tires...
And in germany this is an approval problem...

[elantragls99]

Administrator said that this should be here so here it is...
I know this is not a wide selection of rims(only RC and brock manufacturor) but it's not bad to see how it fits it has many hyundai models
I hope this helps somene
its on german but it's easy to use
http://www.bmf-gmbh.de/cgi-bin/rcdesign/fr_auswahl.pl

for lantra, it has only limited sizes for the rims. colors are limited too..i do hope they do add up more other possible color palettes..