Everyone probably noticed how unbalanced those 215/45/17 tires look on 06 WRX. Not only 225 size make rims look more balanced, but it will also help protect rims from damage. I've noticed similar trend on a lot of cars including Acura TL and LGT.

I went from 215 to 225mm and I was surprised at how nice and balanced wheel set up looks. :)

'looks' and(real) performance many times are VERY different.

'LOOKS' do NOT mean performance.

on 06 WRX or LGT, going from 215 size to 225 will negatively affect the performance of vehicle????

...it's a 7" wide wheel

Cost & gas mileage.

Scott, my car currently has 225/45/17 RE070 on Prodrive P1 rims. Do you think the rim was NOT designed to drive on 225 sized tires?

the P1's are 7.5" wide. Thats the same setup i have on my car.

....I'm 'stretching it' by using a 235/40 on a 7.5" wheel.....I REALLY need an 8" wheel

the P1's are 7.5" wide. Thats the same setup i have on my car.

P1's are 7" wide according to here:

http://www.spdusa.com/wheels_and_tires.htm

If P1's are in fact 7" wide, will it work properly with 225 sized tires?

I don't see any problem at all putting 225s on a 7" wheel. It's been done in a number of OEM applications. Browsing through a bunch of 225/45s on Tire Rack, they all seem to support a 7" wheel (granted, it's the minimum width, but it's still OK).

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

Thanks Pat for the reply. Did anyone also notice 215 sized tires look relatively small on 06 WRX or LGT? :)

I don't see any problem at all putting 225s on a 7" wheel. It's been done in a number of OEM applications. Browsing through a bunch of 225/45s on Tire Rack, they all seem to support a 7" wheel (granted, it's the minimum width, but it's still OK).

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

Minimum and maximum are usually not optimal.....Scotty, do you have a reference for this tire vs. wheel width wisdom? The "Measured Rim Width" from the tire spec sheet?

i run 225's on my 7.5 inch wide rotas. i previously had 215's though...
from what i understand, on a 7.5 inch wide, you can go safely with 215, 225 and 235.
For a 7 inch it's 205, 215 and 225. 8 inch 225, 235, 245. I'm no expert but from what i remember that's a rule of thumb?

i run 225's on my 7.5 inch wide rotas. i previously had 215's though...
from what i understand, on a 7.5 inch wide, you can go safely with 215, 225 and 235.
For a 7 inch it's 205, 215 and 225. 8 inch 225, 235, 245. I'm no expert but from what i remember that's a rule of thumb?
It also depends on sidewall height and specific tire, but as a general rule that is correct.

235/40 is not recommended by any mfr. for a 7.5" rim, but lots of people run them like that w/o any problems. 7.5" does fall w/in the recommended range for a 235/45.

The 215 will also have a slightly lower overall diameter, which will increase the torque to the wheels.

The 18" p1's are 7.5" wide

The 17" p1's are 7" wide

I have the 17" p1's and run a 225/45 with no problem.

The reason the 06 WRX comes with 215-45-17 is because that size tire on a 7" wide wheel maintains the same overall rollout diameter as the 205-55-16 on the last year WRX . No need to recalibrate the speedo .

The WRX has always had an optional OEM 17x7 wheel with 215/45/17 tires... I run that stock 17 size on my 17x7.5 rotas because the overall diameter is smaller and the sidewalls are tighter.

The reason the 06 WRX comes with 215-45-17 is because that size tire on a 7" wide wheel maintains the same overall rollout diameter as the 205-55-16 on the last year WRX . No need to recalibrate the speedo .

person obviously not familiar with the fact 205/55/16 is actually closer to 225/45/17 than 215/45/17...hit up the miata tire calc and see the actual results

the 215/45-17 tire size was used to offset the added weight of the 17" wheels by increasing the gearing so, the acceleration was not adversley effected ...

OEM RE92 205/55/16: 21 lbs/25.1" TD
OEM Accessory RE011 214/45/17: 24 lbs/24.6" TD

There are 5 different RE92's made, including one that's 24.9" in TD, but Subaru chose the 25.1" RE92 to be OE (for whatever reason), then turned around and made the accessory tire an RE011 that had a 24.6" TD, which results in a +1.6 mph discrepancy at 70 mph. Clearly they are unconcerned with a ½" here or there.

There is no TD listed for the '06 WRX OE RE92, but I suspect it's 24.6" to 24.9", and the 225 would be within that range as well.

The 215 will be shorter (adding more torque to the wheels, which is good), less expensive (better for the customer, which is good), more responsive (because of the shorter sidewall, again, good), and lighter (always good).

SOA probably chose the 215 because there are more positives to that size than there are to the 225.

person obviously not familiar with the fact 205/55/16 is actually closer to 225/45/17 than 215/45/17...hit up the miata tire calc and see the actual results


This person has all 3 sizes in my garage . 205-55-16 Azenis 215 on a 16x7 wheel has the same rollout as a 215-45-17 hankook AS on a 17x7 wheel . I also have a set of 225-45-17 azenis on a 17x7.5 rota hell of alot more rollout than the 16 incher . Just for the sake of argument I also have a set of Buddyclubs in 17x7.5 with 225-45-17 nitto neogen tires that are really close to the 205-55-16 azenis . really depends on the tire manufaturer , wheel ,ect . And that tire calculator does not take into account for wheel width for a given tire . though it is a useful tool but far from perfect . And the reason for so many wheels and tires ? I daily drive auto x and track my 2000 RS , not to mention I also own a 99 forester that I share wheels with .