[gdcwatt]

Has anyone tried a 225/50-16 tire on the stock 2012 SE 16x6.5" rim, instead of the OEM 215/55-16? [It's crazy, but that used to be Porsche 911 rear tire size!]

In part, I'm asking because I will be buying snow tires and wonder about putting them on the OEM rims, and buying other 16" or 17" rims for summer rubber. Further, if I'm looking for a CHEAP performance option, would this slightly shorter and wider-contact patch option be a way to go? I know you CAN put a 225/50 on a 6.5" rim, but should you? A 7.0" in my experience is marginal, and a 7.5" or 8" would be preferred, for a 225/50, but if you have the right performance tire, with a stiffer sidewall, it might work, or it might, at least, be "better" than the OEM size.

The calculated tire diameter of a 225/50-16 is 1.5% smaller (or 0.4", or lowering the car 0.2") than a 215/55-16, but the real-world revolutions per mile, for a Continental DWS, for example, are only 0.8% more for the smaller tire (according to TireRack's figures). Performance-wise, it sounds like a possibility, unless the rim really is too narrow, and if the TPMS notices the difference. Does anyone know if there is there just "too much" sidewall flexibility for this option, or does it work, and with what tire?

 

[gdcwatt]

I put 225/50-17 Continental DWS tires - a tire with notoriously "soft sidewalls" - on 7.0" rims, on a different car, in place of the OEM 215/50-17 all-season Michelin MXM4 tires; for me, there are several things which are not right with this change, and a few things that are.

Note that in tirerack.com's test, their BMW's use 8.0" rims, and THAT size seems to work well enough with this tire.

 

[redav]

Has anyone tried a 225/50-16 tire on the stock 2012 SE 16x6.5" rim, instead of the OEM 215/55-16? [It's crazy, but that used to be Porsche 911 rear tire size!]

I've found that tire manufacturers will tell you the range of approved rim widths. For example, the Dunlop SP Sport Signature comes in that size, and their website gives the approved rim width range as 6.0 - 8.0

 

[4d4jacklee]

hi gdcwatt, I've got a 2012 Focus S and it came with 195/65-15s. I am looking at going to 225/50-16s. According to Discount Tires tire calculator the 225/50-16s are 1.18 inches wider and almost identical in diameter to my stock 195/65-15s. I'm looking forward to the responses you get, because it seems like a perfect fit unless the extra width is the problem.