Question on Tire Size

[malvic]

Hey, need new tires for the Corolla. OEM is 185/65R/15. Thinking of Falken ZE-512. The place I called suggested 195/65/15 as this will give better handling. Is this true? Just not sure.

[Xenonk]

depends on the width of the rim in the first place.

[malvic]

Thanks Xenonk, they are the OEM rims. I know they are 15" but not sure on the width.

[Xenonk]

my guess it's either 5.5" or 6", but I think it's 5.5" for some reason.

[rurouni_x]

The stock steel wheels are 15x6 so 195's would fit pretty good as for improved handling i don't think you'll notice any major differences

[Xenonk]

he didnt specify the year of the corolla, so it can vary as well..

I'd stick with the 185 just because you can get a better control in an already wobbly/floating car.

[malvic]

Thanks guys, BTW, it's a 2003 Corolla. Same price for 185 vs 195 so I just have to decide.

[ivwarrior]

Speedometer with 195 tires will be 2.1% slow.
When your speedo reads 60 MPH you will actually be traveling 61.3


Just something to take into consideration.

[sactojesse]

You may wish to try 195/60R15 instead. The shorter sidewall will improve handling with a minimal effect on your speedometer accuracy. The 195/60R15 will end up with a rolling diameter closer to your original 185/65R15's rolling diameter of 24.5 inches. It's 25.0 inches for 195/65R15 (2% larger = 2% slower reading). On the other hand a 195/60R15 has a rolling diameter of 24.2 inches (only 1.2% smaller = 1.2% faster reading).

[malvic]

Thanks guys, I think I'll stay stock. Not sure it's really worth it to change the numbers on a Toyota Corolla.

BTW, I found this site as I was trying to figure out calculations that Sactojesse did.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit&reset=yes