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Tire Size to Run on 17x8 Wheels

1fastredsc

Ready to race!
Location
Cranberry, PA
I purchased a set of 17x8 +45 offset Enkei Kojins two weeks ago and will be wrapping them in some suitable rubber in the coming months. This will replace my winter setup currently on the car. I was thinking of getting a set of 235/45 tires but read somewhere in the forums of someone getting occasional fender rubbing when autoxing with that tire size. Can someone chime in on their experience with similar or wider tires on similar sized wheels?

Note that i'm on the stock ride height and don't plan on changing it.
 

TCOne

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
USA
Well, I hope you've heard wrong, because I just bought 235/40(edit) for my 17x8s. I won't be able to install them until next week.
I made that choice due to hearing about some running 245s on theirs. And the Golf R runs 235/35r18.
I'm gonna be p!ssed if they rub. I went out of my way to NOT get my favorite wheels which only come in 40 offset and got some 45 offset instead.
I have no plans on lowering either.
If, god forbid, I do end up with some tire rub, I'll let you know.
 
Last edited:

RacingManiac

Drag Race Newbie
Location
MI
235/45s are taller than stock(225/45), 245/40s are shorter, and 255/40s are the same. Personally I'd go 245s or 255s
 

TCOne

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
USA
That was a typo. Or a brain fart. 235/40r17 is what I meant. Should be very close to the same circumferance as the stock 225/45r18.
 

1fastredsc

Ready to race!
Location
Cranberry, PA
RacingManiac
Right i believe they are taller by about ~1% (25.1 vs 25.4 inch diameter). Since you run 245s for your autox setup, do you ever notice any rubbing?
 

Slow*Jim

Ready to race!
Location
Ohio
I run 245/40/17. Probably would have gone with 235/45 if I did it over again... 245 is way too wide for an 8" wheel.
 

PLF8593

Drag Race Newbie
Location
Philly
Car(s)
19 Alltrack 6MT
Well, I hope you've heard wrong, because I just bought 235/40(edit) for my 17x8s. I won't be able to install them until next week.
I made that choice due to hearing about some running 245s on theirs. And the Golf R runs 235/35r18.
I'm gonna be p!ssed if they rub. I went out of my way to NOT get my favorite wheels which only come in 40 offset and got some 45 offset instead.
I have no plans on lowering either.
If, god forbid, I do end up with some tire rub, I'll let you know.



If you're not lowered, you messed up getting 45 offset wheels instead of 40's out of fear of rubbing. 40 offset on 8-8.5 wheels even on DG springs wouldnt rub.
 
Location
St. Olaf
I purchased a set of 17x8 +45 offset Enkei Kojins two weeks ago and will be wrapping them in some suitable rubber in the coming months. This will replace my winter setup currently on the car. I was thinking of getting a set of 235/45 tires but read somewhere in the forums of someone getting occasional fender rubbing when autoxing with that tire size.
Stay with your plans and get 235/45 R17 tires. Bear in mind rubbing depends on several factors.
To name one, tire make. For example, Michelins tend to run noticeably wider than Continentals.

;)
 

greggles

Drag Race Newbie
Location
usa
Car(s)
GTI
+1 Breaking bad. Falkens RT 615's were like that too. I swear they were an entire size wider then the hankooks.
 

Stage2Sasquatch

Go Kart Champion
+1 Breaking bad. Falkens RT 615's were like that too. I swear they were an entire size wider then the hankooks.

X2. I've found most of the 200TW tires are WAY wider than the number suggests. That's why I go on tireracks section/tire width since it's more accurate. I remember the Rival S's also being like another size bigger than it's section width suggests.
 

RacingManiac

Drag Race Newbie
Location
MI
RacingManiac
Right i believe they are taller by about ~1% (25.1 vs 25.4 inch diameter). Since you run 245s for your autox setup, do you ever notice any rubbing?

Nope, not at all. I had 255 on 17x8s in my MK6 before also, with ET46 wheel(ET50 +4mm spacers because ET50 won't clear MK6 strut, it clears MK7 though), it runs at full lock at where the fog lamp access panel is and a tiny bit in the front wheel well at the back side inboard corner. 245 I have not noticed any rubbing on MK7(245 on 7.5s)

FWIW I am also at stock height.

I run 245/40/17. Probably would have gone with 235/45 if I did it over again... 245 is way too wide for an 8" wheel.

Kinda depends on tires. Some tires seems alright. Others not as much. On super stiff sidewall Bridgestones, 245 on 7.5s have no issues.
 

1fastredsc

Ready to race!
Location
Cranberry, PA
Ok, i ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S + tires in 235/45zr17.

Since i have the Kojins sitting in my house and i have no need to rush putting them on, is there anything I could do to help protect the finish on them? Maybe some paint sealant?
 

2015WhiteGTI

Go Kart Champion
Ok, i ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S + tires in 235/45zr17.

Since i have the Kojins sitting in my house and i have no need to rush putting them on, is there anything I could do to help protect the finish on them? Maybe some paint sealant?

Oh well, I missed it.

I had 245/40 on my Volk 17x8 on VWR springs and never had a rubbing issue.
I thought they fit perfectly TBH.
 

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1fastredsc

Ready to race!
Location
Cranberry, PA
Any opinions on starting tire pressure for an oversized tire? I figure with the wider tread region, running the same pressure as stock will just reduce the length of the footprint of the tire until the footprint area reaches equilibrium with the load.
Also, i have a beginners understanding of the autox/chaulk method for tuning tire pressures, but what is the logical acceptance criteria for establishing tire pressures for the street?
 

TCOne

Passed Driver's Ed
Location
USA
I can't make the new 235/45r17 on 17x8et45 wheels tires rub. And I've tried.
These Cooper Zeon all seasons have exponentially more grip than stock. And the meatier tires eat up rough road surfaces like a champ.
I'm also curious about tire pressures. I was told to use the same 36psi as the lower profile tires. Seems like optimal tire pressure would change with taller profile tires.
 
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