Impressions: Wider Tires 235/50-17 on 2011 Camry SE

[arvish27]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to share my experience with the widest possible tires on the stock wheels (7" wide)

i have destroyed my factory tires with only 15k miles on my 2011 Camry SE - and decided to buy wider tires for better cornering, handling and look.


i purchased Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus

P235/50R17 for around $950 installed from Discount Tire + $50 rebate from michelin.

my impression on running them for around 1k miles are nothing less than astounding.

excellent control, extremely quite and surprisingly no difference in steering input...

above all i love the looks. i will post some pics soon.

if anyone in the market for the tires - do consider the 235 width...

only issue is while backing up and when wheels are turned to full. there is a slight rubbing with the inner fender wall. (im ok with it)


Thanks

[Kycamrymaker]

Please do post some pics, I would like to see how those look on the stock wheel as well. Thanks!

[aznlunatic206]

Originally Posted by Kycamrymaker

Please do post some pics, I would like to see how those look on the stock wheel as well. Thanks!

x2

[stemar]

I would also be interested in some pics with your larger tires I just picked up a 2010 LE and installed a set of 17x7 wheels I already had off of 1 of my 95 AWD Talons the tires on these wheels are 225/45/17 while they look nice they look small on the car and Im trying to decide of I want to go up to a larger tire or install lowering springs and wheel spacers.

[molson.david]

only issue is while backing up and when wheels are turned to full. there is a slight rubbing with the inner fender wall. (im ok with it)

get 3-5 mm spacers.
I had same issue on my 2001 camry with 215/65/15-they looked huge on that car!
3mm spacers fixed rubbing.

I wanted wider tires for 2007 too, but was scared to go wider than 225/55/17, plus they didn't make tires what I bought in 235/50/17.

[gs_aristo]

Did your wider tires affect gas mileage in any way. I honestly don't care about performance on the Camry but the OE Toyos do stink.

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by gs_aristo

Did your wider tires affect gas mileage in any way. I honestly don't care about performance on the Camry but the OE Toyos do stink.

I think it decreases the mileage because of the wider tires, which mean more friction.

[arvish27]

Little to No decrease in gas mileage... but i love the handling.. will take a quick pic from my iphone and upload it tonight.

[molson.david]

I think it decreases the mileage because of the wider tires, which mean more friction.

weight of the tires is more important. if you keep weight at the same level, you will not loose any MPG.

[tengiday]

Originally Posted by molson.david

weight of the tires is more important. if you keep weight at the same level, you will not loose any MPG.

Most of the time, in this case, the weight will increase.

I used to ask the weight difference between the OEM wheel (alloy or steel 16") with tire and the TRD wheel with tire (18" and 225/45/18), but never had any answer! I think TRD must be heavier, but by how much it is, I don't know. (TRD for racing; I wonder whether it's lightweight).

[arvish27]

weight and the tire component is important.

[arvish27]

here is the info from tirerack

Primacy MXM4 215/55R17 - 23 lbs.

Pilot HX MXM4 235/50R17 - 25 lbs.

Pilot Sport A/S Plus 235/50R17 - 28 lbs.

few lbs per corner gain (unsprung weight) isnt too bad - and this is no ultra light sports car to know the difference anyways...

[molson.david]

few lbs per corner gain (unsprung weight) isnt too bad - and this is no ultra light sportscar to know the difference anyways...
__________________

when I went from stock 16" steelis to 17" alloys and Pirelli P4-they are pretty heavy-27lbs,
MPG went down a bit.
but I'm willing to loose couple MPG for long tread life and traction.

[arvish27]

Most of the 17" after market alloys are too heavy... (except Enkei RPF1's and few others.)

[molson.david]

mine are OEM Avalon wheels and they ain't light too.
subaru OEM wheels are very light compaire to other OEM wheels.