Do we have 8" wide wheels? I want to go from the stock RSA 235/55-17 to a 255/50-17 Kumho ASX. The 255/50 is the closest they make the Kumho ASX to the stock tire. I've heard that 255 on a 7" wide wheel gets squirrely in the turns but the 8" works fine with the wider tire..

They are 7 1/2 " wide stock. My 255'* work perfectly fine.

Thanks for the reply Silver. Think I'll order them tonight.

Hey 2000Silver Bullet,

You responded to me that our wheels will work with the 255'*. I ordered 4 of the Kumho ECSTA ASX from Tire Rack last evening. Today I get a call from them questioning that they will fit properlyl. They said, "those tires are LARGE". I said to hold the order and I would confirm with them after I call the dealer. As you may know the ASX'* are not available in the 235 stock size. Research tells me that the very closest tire is the 255/50; diameter wise.

I called dealer. He said he THINKS there should be no problem! Was not certain.

Can you confirm that these tires are VERY close to the same diameter and about 1" wider than the stock 235'*?

Will I experience any problems such as the rubber running outside the wheel wells (I don't think so). I'd hate to get stuck wth the things. PS- I'm running stock suspension.

Thanks

Here'* the data:
235/55R17
Sidewall = 5.1 in
Diameter = 27.2 in
Revs/mi = 742.0
Width = 235 mm (roughly equals 9.25 in)

255/50R17
Sidewall = 5.0
Diameter = 27.0 in
Revs/mi = 746.0
Width = 255 mm (roughly equals 10 in)

So your speedometer will read 0.5% too fast. When your speedometer reads 60 mph, you will be going 59.7mph. Also, with 0.75 in extra tire, you shouldn't have problems with the tire rubbing at all. That 0.75 in is really only 0.375 in out each side. When I replace my summer tires, I'll be purchasing 255/50R17'*. Should have better grip with the tire being the same (ie Goodyear RSA'* at 235/55R17 vs 255/50R17).

swartlkk-

Thank you very much for your reply. Tonight I measure the distance from the inside of the tread to the outside of the McPherson strut. It'* about 1/2" max, so the 255'* should be a very close fit.

Ted

Yes, it will be a close fit, but the strut, being on top, will not see any sidewall deflection. In all actuality, the 255'* with their shorter sidewall should have even less flex and will possibly not even get as close as the calculations imply. Tread width is most of the times smaller than the overall sidewall width. With the 255'*, there may be less of a difference in the overall width than there is in the tread width due to the 50 series instead of the 55 series.