A Focus-friendly tire diameter chart

[Auto-X-ZTS]

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

[jptech2004]

good post...a lot of ppl don't seem to be able to do the simple math to figure it out.
[img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[jRock]

Can you add 205/50/15 to the list? Thanks.

[Qdoba Addict]

Originally posted by Auto-X-ZTS:

205/45-17...24.5"
215/45-17...24.5" OE size

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Um, your diameters seem off a bit as the 2 above can't be the same diameter. See http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html for a great calculator that lets you compare any 2 tire sizes.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Originally posted by Qdoba Addict:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Auto-X-ZTS:

205/45-17...24.5"
215/45-17...24.5" OE size

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Um, your diameters seem off a bit as the 2 above can't be the same diameter. See http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html for a great calculator that lets you compare any 2 tire sizes.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">OOPS! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
Fixed***.

***I was looking at different charts for different brands of tires. That is simply the variation--across manufacturers--that was noted in the (+/-) disclaimer above. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[size="1"][ 05-07-2003, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: Auto-X-ZTS ][/size]

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Originally posted by jRock:
Can you add 205/50/15 to the list? Thanks.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Added: a whole 23 inches [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Originally posted by jRock:
Thanks Auto X

So if I run an inch less 23 vs 24, what does that do to my gearing? I'm on ZTS wheels.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It will lower your gearing somewhat--sort of like putting in a lower final drive. You will accelerate faster and have lower top end...

[jRock]

Thanks Auto X

So if I run an inch less 23 vs 24, what does that do to my gearing? I'm on ZTS wheels.

[blueovalbaboon]

it'd be the equivalent of changing from 3.82 final drive (that's stock i think)to a 3.99 or something

mental math so don't yell if i'm wrong

[Zoomer69]

You can add 185/65-15 to that list - I'm running that size for my snow tires. Working off your figures, it should be about 24.5" in height.

[Vtec_My_ass]

would 250/590R15 fit? they are racing slicks by Yoko's only for competition use

i put them beside my focus, well my fathers they are about the same height give or take a cm, just wondering if it would cause problems when turning

[galeano]

how about a sticky for this one?

[belacyrf]

Just be cautious and dont take this as gospel. It would be a decent rule of thumb however. Unfortunately it doesn't (and cant') take into account wheel width 6.5 - 7 - 7.5. Nor does it take into acoount the differences from tire to tire even in the same size.

For example:
215/45/17 Kumho Ecsta MX = 24.7"
215/45/17 Dunlop SP 9000 = 24.5"

And I can attest at that .2" sometimes can mean the difference between riding sound free and rubbing a little bit! So this is a great rule of thumb, but it would still be wise to get the real specs on the tire.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

bump.

Seen a number of diameter questions lately.

[BUR_ZX3]

Yah.. let's sticky this!!!!

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Bump.

...might be worth seeing this again, based on some recently posted questions

[Penguini66]

Here's one more size you might want to consider adding to the list:

215/55-15...24.3"

I run them on the stock 15x6 wheels with SVT springs and zero rub or clearance issues. But right now there is only one tire choice from Tirerack: The Kumho 711. Which seems to be a decent tire for the money at $50/tire right now.

[Auto-X-ZTS]

Here's one more size you might want to consider adding to the list:

215/55-15...24.3"

I run them on the stock 15x6 wheels with SVT springs and zero rub or clearance issues. But right now there is only one tire choice from Tirerack: The Kumho 711. Which seems to be a decent tire for the money at $50/tire right now.

Gottcha covered, Mr. Red Green

[CharlesWA]

Yah.. let's sticky this!!!!

Ok, but if people start complaining about too many sticky thread then this is the first to go...

[mercure]

for the other 18's i believe 215/35r18 is around 23.9 and toyo now makes a 205/40r18 thats 24.4, closer to the focus' oe height. don't quote those they're off the top of my head.

[MaddockGrotsnik]

Anybody know what size the wheel is on a stock 2000 ZX3, 14 inch? or 15?


thanks, Matt

[FordFocusDanielSan]

its 15. only the LX sedan came with 14s. also, looking on the sidewall of your tire gives you the size

[MaddockGrotsnik]

My car is at my house, and im not there.

[BerinG]

If I ahve the choice between 195/60/R15 and 205/50/R15 (i had those last summer), or 205/55/R15.. If I want tire performance but not too degrading in speed.. would the wider make me go slower.. more grip, more "resistance" ?

I'm just not sure which ones to chose in these for example..how should I know? hehehe I know I want V rating if I can but..Those should almost all fit on my stock zx3 wheels (2000)

195/45R15 78V BSW 6.0 - 7.5 21.9 7.7 on 6.5 10 340/AA/A 18
195/50R15 82H BSW 5.5 - 7.0 22.7 7.9 on 7.0 10 360/AA/A 18
195/50R15 82V BSW 5.5 - 7.0 22.7 7.9 on 7.0 10 340/AA/A 18
195/55R15 85V BSW 5.5 - 7.0 23.4 7.9 on 6.0 10 340/AA/A 20
205/50R15 86V BSW 5.5 - 7.5 23.1 8.4 on 6.5 10 340/AA/A 20
205/50R15 86W BSW 5.5 - 7.5 23.1 8.4 on 6.5 10 280/AA/A 20
205/55R15 88V BSW 5.5 - 7.5 23.9 8.4 on 6.0 10 340/AA/A 21

[Dejomo]

SO... a 17 x 9(with 24mm backspacing) inch rim with a 245/35Z17 tire won't fit?

What about fender flares? Would those allow enough room?