Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Tire & Wheel

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-18-2012, 10:42 AM   #1
2.5TurboWRX
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 317970
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Vehicle:
2012 WRB Impreza
WRX Limited Sedan

Default Tire Size Question on OEM 2012 WRX Wheels

Hey guys,

I ordered a 2012 WRX Limited Sedan that is due to arrive in the next few weeks. In talking with my salesman he informed me that if I did not want the OEM Performance Summer Tires that came on the car, the dealership would take them and give me a credit towards a Tirerack.com purchase. I jumped all over this since I would much rather have a set of nice all season tires and I have no desire to purchase a second set of wheels and tires just for the winter (it doesn't snow enough to justify that here in Cincinnati).

Anyway, given the opportunity to choose any tires I want, I have a question about tire size. I know that the OEM wheels are 8 inches wide and that the OEM tires are 235/45/17. However, since I might very well be purchasing wider 17" wheels in the near future, I was thinking about ordering a slightly wider tire from the get go. What do you guys think about a 245/45/17 on the OEM wheels? I did the math and the overall diameter of a 245/45 is roughly .35 inches larger than the OEM 235/45. For the sake of comparison I also did the math on a 245/40 and it was roughly .61 inches smaller in overall diameter than the OEM tires. In my opinion, I'd rather take the .35 inches larger difference than the one that is smaller. That and according to Tirerack the 235/45 and the 245/45 are both ideal sizes for an 8" wide wheel. So with that said, given the choice, which size would you go with?

Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
2.5TurboWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 05-18-2012, 11:59 AM   #2
SW21MR2
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 60135
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: California
Vehicle:
2005 Kona Stink-E
White

Default

If you want to stay very close to the stock circumference or total diameter, a popular size is 255/40/17. It's not optimal for a 8" wide wheel, but some brands will fit, not all.

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
(Stock) 234/45-17 4.1in 12.6in 25.3in 79.5in 797 0.0%
(New) 255/40-17 4.0in 12.5in 25.0in 78.6in 806 -1.0%
SW21MR2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2012, 12:11 PM   #3
SW21MR2
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 60135
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: California
Vehicle:
2005 Kona Stink-E
White

Default

Here's a picture of 255/40/17's on an 8" wide wheel to give you an idea of how it could look on your OEM wheels. The overall look on your car should be much better. The tire manufacturer gives a range of 8.5-10". Keep in mind that the numbers don't always 100% correlate to the size.

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-tires...top-askin.html

Last edited by SW21MR2; 05-18-2012 at 12:18 PM.
SW21MR2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2012, 12:28 PM   #4
sc00by4life
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 97135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Default

if anything you want SMALLER than oem diameter, as 235/45's are already a bit too tall for the 5 speed gearing.

235/40, or 245/40. I wouldn't go any wider than 245. 255's will start to get a noticeable "slop" in the sidewall, and will feel a bit squishy.
sc00by4life is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2012, 01:01 PM   #5
2.5TurboWRX
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 317970
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Vehicle:
2012 WRB Impreza
WRX Limited Sedan

Default

I couldn't imagine putting a 255 on an 8" wide wheel...

And ok, I was curious as to which option might be a better fit for the car. And after checking tirerack, it looks like the price difference between all three sizes is less than $10 per tire so that won't play into the decision.

My only concern with going to a 245/40 would be the shorter side wall. I drive on some pretty rough roads and I'd like to keep the feel as close to stock as possible...
2.5TurboWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2012, 01:16 PM   #6
sc00by4life
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 97135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2.5TurboWRX
I couldn't imagine putting a 255 on an 8" wide wheel...

And ok, I was curious as to which option might be a better fit for the car. And after checking tirerack, it looks like the price difference between all three sizes is less than $10 per tire so that won't play into the decision.

My only concern with going to a 245/40 would be the shorter side wall. I drive on some pretty rough roads and I'd like to keep the feel as close to stock as possible...
It won't make much of a difference, and your tranny will be much happier.
sc00by4life is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2013, 01:19 PM   #7
Iownit4
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 358947
Join Date: Jun 2013
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NYC
Vehicle:
13 Wrx
Silver

Default what about 17x9 on stock suspension

Will I rub with 17x9 rims on stock 2013 wrx .. what tire size should I do with. I do like a wider look.
Iownit4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2013, 06:13 PM   #8
Concillian
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4414
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dublin, CA
Vehicle:
2002 WRX Sedan
Midnight Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iownit4 View Post
Will I rub with 17x9 rims on stock 2013 wrx .. what tire size should I do with. I do like a wider look.
Depends on tire size and wheel offset.

There are plenty of comfortable options for 17x9 on a 2013. Post in the sticky wheel fitment thread for better advice.
Concillian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2013, 09:07 PM   #9
HAL1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 58926
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Phoenix, AZ - Chandler
Vehicle:
2013 WRX 5dr ISM
2011 Infiniti EX35

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2.5TurboWRX View Post
My only concern with going to a 245/40 would be the shorter side wall. I drive on some pretty rough roads and I'd like to keep the feel as close to stock as possible...
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
It won't make much of a difference, and your tranny will be much happier.

Can you explain this for a tire newbie?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
if anything you want SMALLER than oem diameter, as 235/45's are already a bit too tall for the 5 speed gearing.
Again, please e'splain
HAL1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2013, 01:38 AM   #10
Calwrx17
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 363734
Join Date: Jul 2013
Default tires sizes

so i just put the suspension from a 2012 forester onto my wry and now I'm 3" taller. I still have the stock wheels and tires but I'm looking to get bigger tires for the car. what size would be good to put on them? also i want to go with a meaty tire. not a snow tire but more like a mud tire or something. can y'all help?
Calwrx17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2013, 11:56 AM   #11
Concillian
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4414
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dublin, CA
Vehicle:
2002 WRX Sedan
Midnight Black

Default

Are decent mud tires available in 17 inch sizes? You may need to find 15 or 16 inch wheels Look at some Forester size tires... though your gearing will be tall now... there's a reason Foresters come with 4.44 final drive. They can use the big tires and still have some good torque.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/allterr.jsp
^ listing of all terrain tires at Tire Rack. All terrain tires tend to be TALL. Stock Forester size is around 26" diameter. Stock WRX is closer to 25". All Terrains start around 26" and go up to well over 30". You need to work the smaller diameters. I checked Geolanders, since they're available in a TON of sizes. Click any size Geolander (or whatever tire you like best) and then choose the "specs" tab. Look down the Diameter column and find something that fits well (26"-27") Looks like 205/70/15 or 215/60/16. 17s start at 215/60, which is over 27" diameter. Unless specifically going for the huge LOOK, that's a little big.

If you are going for huge look, there's not much collective experience with that on these boards as far as what can fit without rubbing. Maybe dirtyimpreza.com... but they mostly do rally type stuff. Widebody WRX fenders will certainly handle wider tires than Forester, but your main issue is going to be rubbing the fender and/or fender liner when turning the steering wheel full lock. Some Forester owners have also had issues rubbing the strut body going too wide. I doubt this will be a huge issue for mud tires, since they tend to be narrow, but some have wide section widths even if the tread patch is narrow. I think you're gonna have to either go with Forester size stuff, which means smaller wheels... Or if you want to try to keep your wheels, you may have to take a risk on something that may or may not rub at full lock. Or see if you can find an off-road enthusiast type tire shop that will let you pay them to test-fit one tire to check clearance for you. Strut clearance IS an issue on Foresters with wide wheels, so consider lower offset wheels to give you extra space between the strut and tire.

There are a few 15" rally wheels available that clear WRX brakes. Also 15x7 +35 Rota Slipstreams clear 4 pots, not sure about stock WRX brakes (Wheeldude via phone will very likely know). Dirtyimpreza will likely have specifics on what clears WRX brakes vs. 4 pots. Subaru 4 pots have a little more clearance around the barrel, but less clearance to the spokes, so some wheels clear one but not the other. Most 16x7 clear, you can do a Tire Rack sort with '12 Forester... Sparco Terra is a strong wheel with a Rally look to it. You may be better off with 15" sizes, though. Stock wheels locks you into tires that are really a bit big for the car. You might make some 17s fit the fenders, but the diameter will make already tall gearing even taller and actual performance will probably be worse than with smaller diameter tires on 15 or 16 inch wheels.

Last edited by Concillian; 12-11-2013 at 11:40 AM.
Concillian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 09:45 AM   #12
jdmrichieej8
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 477953
Join Date: Nov 2017
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Concillian View Post
Are decent mud tires available in 17 inch sizes? You may need to find 15 or 16 inch wheels Look at some Forester size tires... though your gearing will be tall now... there's a reason Foresters come with 4.44 final drive. They can use the big tires and still have some good torque.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/allterr.jsp
^ listing of all terrain tires at Tire Rack. All terrain tires tend to be TALL. Stock Forester size is around 26" diameter. Stock WRX is closer to 25". All Terrains start around 26" and go up to well over 30". You need to work the smaller diameters. I checked Geolanders, since they're available in a TON of sizes. Click any size Geolander (or whatever tire you like best) and then choose the "specs" tab. Look down the Diameter column and find something that fits well (26"-27") Looks like 205/70/15 or 215/60/16. 17s start at 215/60, which is over 27" diameter. Unless specifically going for the huge LOOK, that's a little big.

If you are going for huge look, there's not much collective experience with that on these boards as far as what can fit without rubbing. Maybe dirtyimpreza.com... but they mostly do rally type stuff. Widebody WRX fenders will certainly handle wider tires than Forester, but your main issue is going to be rubbing the fender and/or fender liner when turning the steering wheel full lock. Some Forester owners have also had issues rubbing the strut body going too wide. I doubt this will be a huge issue for mud tires, since they tend to be narrow, but some have wide section widths even if the tread patch is narrow. I think you're gonna have to either go with Forester size stuff, which means smaller wheels... Or if you want to try to keep your wheels, you may have to take a risk on something that may or may not rub at full lock. Or see if you can find an off-road enthusiast type tire shop that will let you pay them to test-fit one tire to check clearance for you. Strut clearance IS an issue on Foresters with wide wheels, so consider lower offset wheels to give you extra space between the strut and tire.

There are a few 15" rally wheels available that clear WRX brakes. Also 15x7 +35 Rota Slipstreams clear 4 pots, not sure about stock WRX brakes (Wheeldude via phone will very likely know). Dirtyimpreza will likely have specifics on what clears WRX brakes vs. 4 pots. Subaru 4 pots have a little more clearance around the barrel, but less clearance to the spokes, so some wheels clear one but not the other. Most 16x7 clear, you can do a Tire Rack sort with '12 Forester... Sparco Terra is a strong wheel with a Rally look to it. You may be better off with 15" sizes, though. Stock wheels locks you into tires that are really a bit big for the car. You might make some 17s fit the fenders, but the diameter will make already tall gearing even taller and actual performance will probably be worse than with smaller diameter tires on 15 or 16 inch wheels.
ok i tried going to that link you added, im trying to figure out if i can fit a 245/45/17 +35 offset on my 13 wrx. but like i mentioned earlier i couldnt get to that link.
jdmrichieej8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 11:47 AM   #13
sc00by4life
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 97135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Default

245/45 is too tall, I don't know why you would want that size on a 5 speed.

will it fit? you didn't include any wheel dimensions other than the offset. Width is pretty important.
sc00by4life is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 07:56 AM   #14
jdmrichieej8
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 477953
Join Date: Nov 2017
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
245/45 is too tall, I don't know why you would want that size on a 5 speed.

will it fit? you didn't include any wheel dimensions other than the offset. Width is pretty important.
the width i know is going to clear its oem with 8.0 i was just more concern about the offset will it clear everything on the inside and your saying i should do 40 or 35?

(rims: 17x8 5x100 +35offset)
jdmrichieej8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What tire will fit on oem 06 wrx rims njhxc27 Tire & Wheel 4 01-05-2010 09:27 PM
Biggest drag radials on OEM 2004 WRX wheels?? kpowell12 Tire & Wheel 1 01-04-2008 11:11 AM
(4) Hankook RS2 on OEM 16" WRX wheels (painted) Fathead TXIC Private Classifieds 11 07-24-2006 02:44 PM
A Stock tire size question on '04 STi boxerT Motorsports 5 11-08-2005 01:09 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.