Hey guys,

I bought a 2003 Acord EX last month. In the very near future I would like to buy some after market wheels and tires. Here are the specs for my Accord:

Bolt Patter: 5x114.3
OEM Offset: +55
Thread Size: 12x1.50
OEM Hex: 19mm
Hub Ring: 61.4

The name brand is not important at the moment. What I'm most concered about is the size & width of the wheels and tires. I'd like to go with some 17" or 18" wheels that are sort of wide (maybe 225 or 215). My question is what wheel width & tires size(s) would give me the "cleanest" look? Let me elaborate.

1. I want to minimize the gap between the top of the tire and the wheel well, but also have enough clearance so the tires do not rub while driving over speed bumps and thing of that nature.
2. I do not want the wheels or tires to stick out further than the car or wheel wells.
3. I do not want the tires so wide that they hit or rub the fender walls while turning.

Any help you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,
Sonny

 

I wouldnt add wheels too big without lowering the car, you'll make it look like a 4x4.

The 06 six-speed sedan uses the 02-03 TL-S and 01-02 CL-S five spoke, 17" wheels and looks very nice IMO. The tires are sized at 215/50-17.

Here is a good calculator to see what different tire sizes would work and what the affect on the speedometer would be: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

 

the offset on the car is 55mm. Some of the rims I've been looking at have an 40 - 44mm offset.

Do I need to stay at 55mm or how far can I go WITHOUT negatively affecting the preformance of the vehicle?

 

I guess you don't care about messing up your speedo/gas mileage/gear ratios?

Get the proper offset, and don't get wheels too wide.

 

Here's the scoop. Anything beyond +42mm WILL rub, I have +42mm and they will rub if I drop too low. +45mm is optimal.

As far as speedo, you shouldn't be speeding in the first place. Gear Ratios?? Better do some research before you post, wheels will have no affect on gear ratio's.

 

The spedometer will not be accurate!!!

Different size tires will. They won't literally change the transmission ratios, but the ratio of engine rpm's to ground speed will change, having the same affect as a changed gear ratio.

 

You definitely want to lower the car with any wheel size bigger than stock otherwise you will have that 4x4 look. Lowering 1.5 inches would be a good amount without causing rubbing or scaping problems. Your speedo will not be affected as long as the total diameter of your new tires do not exceed that of the originals. Do a search on this because this has been covered countless times already.

 

I pretty sure we all know that larger wheels change the speedo, at least if you do a search you will. Basically what your saying is that due to the larger wheels, your actual speed will differ from what is shown on the tach and speedo. I still don't see where gear ratio's are coming in, your just explaining the speedo concept again.

edit: Going from stock 15's to 17's with a 215/45 tires will yield a 1.7% change. At 60mph on the speedo, I'll be going 61. And as you go faster, the difference will increase.

 

Like I said, the gears in your transmission will not be affected. However, a larger diameter tire than stock will have the same affect as longer gears for the same reason it affects the speedometer. At the same engine rpm and in the same gear, your car will be going faster with larger diameter tires. It thinks it's going the same speed because the tire is spilling spinning at the same rpm, but because the tire is larger, 1 rotation of a larger tire = more ground covered = a higher speed than a smaller tire assuming the gear and engine rpm's stay the same.

 

And you've now said the same thing three times:goodjob:. WE KNOW!!!