Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere but i did look and didn't find any thread about it.

my focus has the stock wheels/tires (215/50/17) and i'm looking to upgrade w/ a slightly wider tire (either 225 or 235/50/17) but am concerned with clearance issues ('im keeping the stock wheels)

I understand that multiplying the aspect ration (50 --- .5mm) by the width gives the tire's height.. is this correct.

If so, then will a 225/50/17 tire be too 'tall' and cause clearance or turning issues, iyo?

thanks...

It won't be too tall. You're diameter will be 25.9" compared to 25.5". If you go down to a 45 sidewall your diameter will by .5" smaller at 25".

It won't be too tall. You're diameter will be 25.9" compared to 25.5". If you go down to a 45 sidewall your diameter will by .5" smaller at 25".

thanks, that's what i thought.. i figured about a 1/2 inch dif in height and thought it would not make a diff.

I've done a one size width upgrade before on other vehicles and had not problems.

One further question... someone told me that this 1/2" increase in height will skew the speedo, odo, etc. true? or not?

Of course it will. By how much I'm not sure. I've been using http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to check on sizing for years when changing wheel size.

Moved to "Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension - Sponsored By Tire Rack"

First off, no 01 ZX3 came with 215/50-17 tires as stock. The largest tire offered on early non-SVT focus was 205/50-16. SVT's came with 215/45-17 and this tire size became a popular tire upgrade for non-SVT cars. FF members have used 225/45-17 with success but wheel width and wheel offset are key factors as well as how much the car might be lowered. The shape of the tire (square shoulders versus rounded ones can be a factor as well when using bigger tires and avoiding clearance issues. The overall tire diameter you should be shooting for is 24.2 to 24.5 inches.

First off, no 01 ZX3 came with 215/50-17 tires as stock. The largest tire offered on early non-SVT focus was 205/50-16. SVT's came with 215/45-17 and this tire size became a popular tire upgrade for non-SVT cars. FF members have used 225/45-17 with success but wheel width and wheel offset are key factors as well as how much the car might be lowered. The shape of the tire (square shoulders versus rounded ones can be a factor as well when using bigger tires and avoiding clearance issues. The overall tire diameter you should be shooting for is 24.2 to 24.5 inches.

He has a 2012.

Also, http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

He has a 2012.

Also, http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html


Sorry I just noticed the 01 ZX3, that's what I get for not paying better attention. For clarification, my comments are applicable and accurate for a first generation foci and most second gen cars.

First off, no 01 ZX3 came with 215/50-17 tires as stock. The largest tire offered on early non-SVT focus was 205/50-16. SVT's came with 215/45-17 and this tire size became a popular tire upgrade for non-SVT cars. FF members have used 225/45-17 with success but wheel width and wheel offset are key factors as well as how much the car might be lowered. The shape of the tire (square shoulders versus rounded ones can be a factor as well when using bigger tires and avoiding clearance issues. The overall tire diameter you should be shooting for is 24.2 to 24.5 inches.

not sure where u got 'o1 focus from.. i was speaking about the '12 focus.
everyone knows that 215/50/17 tires didn't come on the prior focus edition.

not sure where u got 'o1 focus from.. i was speaking about the '12 focus.
everyone knows that 215/50/17 tires didn't come on the prior focus edition.


It was my error, but I saw the 01 ZX3 listed under "what I drive" and failed to see the "12" listed after the Civic. You'd would be very surprised at what people "don't know" about their cars on this forum here regardless of how simple it may be. I'm still learning about the cars all the time.