need tire question answered

I have a 1999 Hyundai Tiburon fx it comes with 195-55-15 tires .I was wondering if it would be ok or not dangerous to use 195-60-15 instead. The reason I like to change is the selection for 55 s are not as good as the 60s. I got my eye on the new pirelli P-5 tire which gets an 85,000 mile tread warranty . What do you think, Thanks Steve

I had a 99 tib.. going to 16s is the best thing you can do... I think I ran 205/45/16s. Made a WORLD of difference in handling.

Great little cars, only issues I had were wheel bearings.. which are a known problem with that car

all the numbers below are theoretical. every manufacturer has some variation in their molding and curing processes, so the actual tire sizes are rarely exact.

195/55-15 has 4.22" sidewall height, and an overall height of about 23.4"

195/60-15 has 4.6" sidewall, for an overall height of about 24.2"

so the 60 is about 4% taller than the 55. the taller tire will make your speedometer read less than your actual speed, by that same percentage. so when it says 100, you're actually doing 104.

you will also lose about 4% of your acceleration because the taller tire acts like a numerically lower gear.

packaging this size difference within the wheelwell and suspension should be no problem. cars are designed with clearance for snow chains, optional tire sizes, etc.

i wouldn't lose sleep over any of it.

Thank you angry and mad that really helped I really like to consider going to 16 inch but thought it would be a problem for the car ?

jabbonda wrote: Thank you angry and mad that really helped I really like to consider going to 16 inch but thought it would be a problem for the car ?

Going to a 16" wheel/tire combo is no problems as long as you select a tire with basically the same overall diameter. As mentioned, a 205/45-16 will easily fit but you probably won't find any with much of a mileage warrenty.

If you stay with the 15" wheels, you can use a 205/50-15 and maintain the diameter while getting a wider tread area.

Better question, are you looking for mileage or handling improvements?

The reason I ask is you mention the 85K mi warranty the 16" sizes options won't be going that high. Additionally that is only on T-speed rated tires, which can effect how the car handles compared to the H rated with its 65K mi warranty.

Now if handling is a bigger concern, the 60 series is taller, in so a reduction of steering response.

So what are you looking for more so? Miles? Handling? Comfort?

16s are not bone shaking.. 17s are.

my 99 on 16 inch Enkei RPO1s

Save yourself the trouble and go to the Spec Miata size of 205/50/15 for much better tire selection, more width and potentially more performance and the lowest overall price point of any "performance" tire currently available.

So yes, when it really comes down to it, Miata is always the answer. Thank you Spec Miata for making 15" wheels still worth having and still at an awesome price point even in the 21st century!

Tire Rack = 205/50/15's from as little as $58/ea!