Can GT factory tires fit on 17"x7" rims?

[coolvirus]

Got a good price on the American Eagle series 192 wheels. But they're 17"x7" and I'm wondering if I could use them with the factory tires (since the factory rims are 17"x6").

I'm only replacing the rims because one of the factory ones was damaged bad. However, I'm not planning on the replacing the factory tires any time soon (the car has less than 4,500 miles).

The place selling them told me that it should be no problem, that the tires would just stretch a bit. Is this true?

[IRPT]

Shouldn't be a problem. Tires usually have a rim width range, i.e. Goodyear Eagle RS-A size 205/50/17 have a rim width range of 5.5" to 7.5". The measured rim width is 6.5", this is the rim width used for the measurements (section width, tread width, overall diameter, etc). So if the measured rim width of your tire was say 6.5" and you are going to a 7" wide rim the tire will not be as tall.

[coolvirus]

Thanks IRPT. So no problem with the rims. Cool.

Just curious, I got the part about tires having a range for rim width but I don't get why the tire would not be as tall if I went with a 7" rim. Could elaborate?

Thanks again.

[CarolinaBlue_GT]

quote:Originally posted by coolvirus

Thanks IRPT. So no problem with the rims. Cool.

Just curious, I got the part about tires having a range for rim width but I don't get why the tire would not be as tall if I went with a 7" rim. Could elaborate?

Thanks again.

If I may...

It's cuz you're having to stretch the tire wider over the width of the rim, so the rubber's gotta go somewhere, you know? It just goes into the "new" width instead of the "old" height.

[coolvirus]

Oh OK, that makes sense. Thanks Mike.

It shouldn't be too noticeable though...right? The fact that the tire is "shorter" than before?

[IRPT]

Thanks CarolinaBlue GT.

No it should not be noticeable, it will be very small amount. Also, your cross section will be wider.
Each tire's section width is based on a particular rim size and construction. To compensate for differences, increase section width .2 inches for every .5 inch increase in rim width. For example, if the tire's section width is 9.14" on a 6.5" rim and is to be mounted on a 7" rim, the section width would be 9.34".

The section width of the Goodyear Eagle RS-A on a 6.5" rim is 8.4, on a 7" rim the section width will be 8.6.

Basically, if you go to a wider rim (wider than the measured rim width) your tire is going to be a little shorter and a little wider.

If you go to a narrower rim (narrower than the measured rim width) your tire will be a little taller and a little narrower.

[coolvirus]

Cool, thanks guys for taking the time to explain. I appreciate it very much!

[macster]

quote:Originally posted by coolvirus

Got a good price on the American Eagle series 192 wheels. But they're 17"x7" and I'm wondering if I could use them with the factory tires (since the factory rims are 17"x6").

I'm only replacing the rims because one of the factory ones was damaged bad. However, I'm not planning on the replacing the factory tires any time soon (the car has less than 4,500 miles).

The place selling them told me that it should be no problem, that the tires would just stretch a bit. Is this true?

Check out this link http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...del=Eagle+RS-A and go down to your tire size. It will list the recommended wheel sizes. Also you can check here at the Goodyear site http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...H&sidewall=VSB for the approved rim widths.

macster

[hyracer]

Yes, the factory GT tires do fit. I've been running mine on a set of 7" wide wheels within one month of buying the car.

Deen