Going up in tire size for winter

[freddy patell]

I have a 2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4 cylinder engine automatic. I live in the Philadelphia area and will be getting winter tires this year. When I get the tires I will be getting them on steel rims so I don’t have to worry about getting the tires put on and off the wheels every year. My car comes stock with 16 inch wheels, but I thinking for winter tires to get 17’s as I will be a little higher up. I don’t know if this is a good idea or not. An inch high for when it snows sounds good, but I would like to know what you all think. Thank you for all who respond. :stick:

Topic

[college man]

look in the owners manual under wheels and tires.
it will tell you what wheel combinations would have come on the
car.

[Dave]

Changing the wheels from 16″ to 17″ will not get you any more ground clearance and it would only have been a half inch (one half on each side of the center of the wheel). Taller tires are the only way of getting more room under the car but is there room for more rubber, I assume you would want to still be able to turn so I suggest that you check out a tire dealer that is willing to change sizes (Some places will not put anything but O.E. size and load index on) and see what would fit. I agree that the winter tires should be on their own wheels’ It is much less of a headache for the guys changing them.

As far as tires go Bridgestone Blizzak are probably the most common winter tires but check out the other brands as well. And one last thing I personally would stay away from directional tires, I have not had any good experience with them.

[Paul]

If the outer diameter of the tire is increased, speedometer and odometer readings will be inaccurate. For a one inch increase, the error will probably be ~5%.

Also, you may find a considerable price difference and availability between 16-inch and 17-inch winter tires.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I don’t think you’ll have any gain at all from going to a larger wheel size. I also feel that you’ll have issues with your speedometer as a result of that choice. I would recommend you get the same size wheel and some ‘blizzacks’ and you’ll be just fine in the Philly winter.

[Author]

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