tire width

[grosbucheron]

I believe that for good handling and traction, it is best to chose tires of a "regular" width compared to the rim's width.

If I want to improve my Echo HB's handling with a minor investment, I figure I could go for the 15" sedan's steelies with the standard size tires (185-55-15).

I thought of riding 195-50, but I'm afraid that the feeling might get slugish since the tires would not be snug on the rims...

What are your thoughts, experiences?

[kyle@tirerack]

The 195 50 15 will have a recommended rim width range of 5.5-7 inches and should be ok on the 15" steel. I am unsure of the width of the 15" steel but believe it to be in this range.

[grosbucheron]

Yes, the 15" steelies are in this range.

Yet the "square" tight and OEM fit would be with 185, the rims beeing 5.5" wide.

My tought was that with tires at the limit width, the sidewalls are kinda loose on the rim, hence the ride less precise, as for narrower tire (185) would be be tighter on the rim, providing a more precise feeling at the steering wheel -- with a loss of traction.

--> question is : apart from "width range", what is the best tire/rim fit in your opinion.

Thanks!

[kyle@tirerack]

An ideal wheel width in these sizes would be roughly 80% of the section width of the tire. If we estimate this on the 185 it works out to 5.8 inches in wheel width (6.14 in for the 195). By this we would say the 185 would be better on the wheel, but I still don't think there will be a large difference. I hope this helps...give me a call if you want to discuss the details.

[grosbucheron]

I didn't know about the "roughly 80%" rule -- and it is in acordance with most tire sizes I've had on stock wheels.

It does help : I will stick with either standard (185 on OEM Echo steelies) or stretch fit (as for 175 on my 6" wide VW winter wheels).

Thank you Kyle!