[JET DH]

will 205/50/17's fit in a zx3?
what about 215's?

 

[beat3rfocus]

215/45/17 Is stock SVT tire size.

Yes both of those tires will fit depending on the offset and the suspension that you are running on the car.

 

[JET DH]

I thought that, just wanted to be sure.
thanks

 

[Geezer]

The perfect replacement size for a non-svt would be 205/45-17 (same diameter as 205/50-16). It's not a popular size so there's less selection and it costs more. The next most popular upgrade is 215/45-17 which is the stock SVT size and is only slightly bigger in diameter than the stock 16" tie and wheel combo. The increased size is pretty minimal and not worth worrying about. There's much better selection and prices in this size as well.

 

[beat3rfocus]

I would much rather have the 215/45/17 over a 205/45/17 for the extra tire on the road. Yes it might not be much, but it is well worth it, and looks much better. Also you can get the bang for the buck prices on that size because it is the most common.

Also I don't see how it is the perfect replacement size. The car is the exact same only the SVT is lower .75". But the only thing that comes into play is wheel offset and suspension system that the car is running.

 

[beat3rfocus]

From FJ.

People are always asking what tires will fit. I think that it is accepted that up to a 215 section width works--225s are marginal depending on offset and/or spacers. In my mind the diameter is the key measurement--should be *around* 24 inches to keep the speedo happy. I have generated a list of sizes and corresponding diameters (+/- a couple of tenths on an inch depending on brand). I also tried to put some tall and skinny tires on the list for those of us who live where it snows...

Here it is:

175/70-14...23.8"
185/70-14...24.3"
185/65-14...23.5" OE size
195/65-14...24.0"
195/60-14...23.2"
205/60-14...23.7"
215/60-14...24.2"
195/60-15...24.2" OE size
205/55-15...23.9"
205/50-15...23.0"
215/50-15...23.4"
215/55-15...24.3"
225/50-15...24.0"
195/50-16...23.5"
205/45-16...23.4"
205/50-16...24.2" OE size
205/55-16...25.0"
215/45-16...23.7"
205/40-17...23.5"
205/45-17...24.2"
215/40-17...23.9"
215/45-17...24.6" OE size
215/35-18...23.9"
215/40-18...24.6"

HERE ARE THE REVS PER MILE THANKS TO OREO:


Tire Size ........ Diam. . Rev / mi
175 / 70 - 14 .. 23.7" .. 853
185 / 70 - 14 .. 24.2" .. 834
185 / 65 - 14 .. 23.5" .. 859 OE size
195 / 65 - 14 .. 24.0" ...841
195 / 60 - 14 .. 23.2" .. 869
205 / 60 - 14 .. 23.7" .. 852
215 / 60 - 14 .. 24.2" .. 835

195 / 60 - 15 .. 24.2" .. 833 OE size
205 / 55 - 15 .. 23.9" .. 845
205 / 50 - 15 .. 23.1" .. 874
215 / 50 - 15 .. 23.5" .. 860
215 / 55 - 15 .. 24.3" .. 830
225 / 50 - 15 .. 23.9" .. 845

195 / 50 - 16 .. 23.7" .. 852
205 / 45 - 16 .. 23.3" .. 867
205 / 50 - 16 .. 24.1" .. 838 OE size
205 / 55 - 16 .. 24.9" .. 811
215 / 45 - 16 .. 23.6" .. 854

205 / 40 - 17 .. 23.5" .. 860
205 / 45 - 17 .. 24.3" .. 831
215 / 40 - 17 .. 23.8" .. 848
215 / 45 - 17 .. 24.6" .. 819 OE size

215 / 35 - 18 .. 23.9" .. 843
215 / 40 - 18 .. 24.8" .. 814

Is the .4" going to make a difference?

 

[Geezer]

As I said, its usually NOT that much difference with regards to overall diameter. 24.1 inch is, however, the accepted diameter to shoot for or be close to. I use 215/45-17's on my ZX3. When we got them over five years ago there wasn't much of an after market wheel selection available and since my son wanted to buy the wheels (SVT argent Euros) I let him go for it. The downside of bigger wheels and tires is more weight resulting in more rotating mass because this weight is now farther from the hub. More rotating mass results in slower acceleration, longer stopping distances, and makes the suspension work harder. It can be very noticeable especially in low powered and moderately braked cars like the Focus. If I were to do it over I would select some lightweight 16's (yes hard to find but they're out there) and some lighter performance tires (maybe even some 15's if i could find the right tires). I acknowledge there is often a trade off between looks and outright performance. I personally prefer the latter. Please note that the two charts provided above have inconsistencies with regards to overall diameter for identical sized tires. Not by much but there are differences.

 

[beat3rfocus]

The difference in the tire sized will vary based on the tire company and the compound of the rubber that they used. You can even take 2 of the same tire same brand just made months apart and there can and usually will be differences of height and width. Nit picking the chart for tenths of an inch is crazy.