[oldeguy]

I know we're all starting to think about winter tires, :( but, my three season tires will last me only one more summer. So, at the end of next year, I'll need new tires. I really like the Falken tires that I have. They are 512's and are for the 15 inch aluminum rims that were stock on the ZTS in 2000. The present tire size is 195/60/R15.

I'm thinking....man it hurts, :lol: of a different tire size, without changing rims, as I can't buy new ones, (For some reason, I think the rims I have are the best looking stock rims) or doing any surgery on the wheel wells. Any ideas?

[dBlast]

If you want to go to a different size without changing rim size, you can try a 215/55-15 which close the the OE overall diameter but 20mm wider.

There are a few other options below but if you go to a slightly less overall diameter the tire will not fill the wheel well as well and there is already enough of a gap above the tire if you have not dropped it already. (e.g. I have 205/45-17 (24.2" overall diameter) with a 1.5" drop and it looks perfectly centred in the wheel well. I know of others who have 205/40-17 (23.5" overall diameter) also with a 1.5" drop and they complain that their drop is not enough, but because the overall diameter is less the OE size the tire their is more space above the tire and wheel well.)

Quote:People are always asking what tires will fit. I think that it is accepted that up to a 215 section width works--225s are marginal depending on offset and/or spacers. In my mind the diameter is the key measurement--should be *around* 24 inches to keep the speedo happy. I have generated a list of sizes and corresponding diameters (+/- a couple of tenths on an inch depending on brand). I also tried to put some tall and skinny tires on the list for those of us who live where it snows...

Here it is:

175/70-14...23.8"
185/70-14...24.3"
185/65-14...23.5" OE size
195/65-14...24.0"
195/60-14...23.2"
205/60-14...23.7"
215/60-14...24.2"
195/60-15...24.2" OE size
205/55-15...23.9"
205/50-15...23.0"
215/50-15...23.4"
215/55-15...24.3"
225/50-15...24.0"
195/50-16...23.5"
205/45-16...23.4"
205/50-16...24.2" OE size
205/55-16...25.0"
215/45-16...23.7"
205/40-17...23.5"
205/45-17...24.2"
215/40-17...23.9"
215/45-17...24.6" OE size
215/35-18...23.9"
215/40-18...24.6"

More information in full thread below:

Focus-friendly tire chart thread from FJ

[naz]

i used 205/55/15 on my focus for a while.

if you are looking for 3 season tires i recommend the azenis sport RT615 in 205/50/15 size. (that's the closest to OE size that is offered)

it will be massive leap in grip compared to the falken 512 that you are running now.

[ZED_not_zee]

I sugest a set of snows and a set of falken RT615's sized 205/55,15 for summer... you'll be very happy with those!

[naz]

ZED_not_zee,Oct 26 2007, 11:20 PM Wrote:I sugest a set of snows and a set of falken RT615's sized 205/55,15 for summer... you'll be very happy with those!
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where do you get the azenis in that size? i was looking EVERYWHERE for them when i had a focus and i had no luck :(