Based on what I have read about upgrading to plus size rims, to maintain the overall diameter of the wheel from my 215-50-60 stock wheels and tires I would have to upgrade to tires that are 215-45-17. When I looked at the difference between my GS and a GSX, Tirerack recommended 215-50-17's for the GSX. I know that the speedometer is probably calibrated for the GSX to account for these slightly larger tires, but would it hurt my GS to get 215-50-17's (the gearing and transmission)? Would it also be possible to adjust my speedometer to account for this change? I want to upgrade to 17" rims, but because of my daily commute to work and unfortunately the presence of potholes along the way, I would feel a little safer from bending a rim with a slightly greater profile tire. Could anyone give me some advice about what direction to go. I've read through the posts under handling and suspension and haven't seen an answer to this question, so I'm sorry if it's been answered before.

A 50 series tire is a lot of rubber to wrap around a 17" rim. I think a 45 series tire would be fine. The difference in protection against potholes wouldn't be much different, but a 45 series tire would look much better.

I have 40 series tires on my 17" rims. I just drive carefully around potholes whenever possible.

Well from what i have been told, for a 17" wheel, 225-45-17 is the closest tire to stock outer diameter for correct speedo readings. I have that exact size, and my speedo is about 3 mph off. I am going 3 mph slower than what the gauge says. I have tested this with about 3 or 4 different roadside popo speed signs..

yeah, i have 225/45/17 tires and it's pretty close to stock, i think .2" larger in rolling diameter. they don't look that bad, and your speedo isn't off that much. you are supposed to be 1 over once you hit 75, but as ^^^ said, i was about 3 off, maybe my speedometer is off, but every car is different.

215/45/17's.paced against Stock tired ford focus and my speedo was *perfect*

I'd go with 215/45/17 just because anything bigger than that looks too big and thick. The thinner the tires, the better it looks. 205/40/17 looks really good if your car is slammed, but it's very little protection from pot holes.

215/40 and smaller looks like ASS! I regret buying 17's big time. I want minimum 18's next. 18's with 225/40/18. Big tires and big wheels.

Gap with 215/40/17


Gap with stock 14's. 195/75/14 (i think thats what it is)

Mmmmmmmm, I love those rims Jeff!!

yup. go with 215-45-17. looks good. higher profile looks too "stock", lower profile and you don't have enough tire to fill up the wheel well with 17's.


(about a year ago at the local "raceway" when i still had the blitz front end and the stock headlights)

i got 17's because 18's were too expensive, and most 18's are substantally heavier. anyways, i'm done now.

Nooooo the thicker the tire the better. Beefy tires look good. At least for me I don't want an all rim look. Anyway 215/45 is slightly smaller than stock 225/45 is slightly larger in diameter.

225's can have problems with rubing the inner lip in the rear fenders on some cars, especially lowered ones.



15.9 @ 86.7mph
97 Eclipse RS

Injen CAI, 55mm TB, P&P Intake, Crower Stage 2 Cams, Hooker Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, Crane Ign Amp, S-AFC

Im running 215/50/17, and would'nt go any smaller. Eclipse's need as much tire as you can stuff in there to fill the nasty wheel gap . Not above the tire but in front and behind it. My speedo may be a couple off, but it's not enough to notice. Also I take alot of road trips crusing around 70 to 85 mph and the larger tire keeps my rpms a little lower, less prolonged high rpm beatings.

Yeah, I was wondering if anyone was running 215-50-17's since that is what is the recommended tire size according to the tirerack for a GSX. I'm assuming that the amount of space in the wheel well would be the same for the GS and GSX.

215-45-17's here

usually depends on the rim. the "formula" is +10 | -5 | +1

so 205 55 16 becomes 215 50 17 but that's not going to fit. to high. 225 45 is most common on 17's, best way to go as well. usually upsizing is matching a tire onto a rim that fits under the car. so as long as your not going to high or to narrow/wide your set.