Taller vs Wider rubber on the 20"s

[frybel]

So there's been plenty of talk about stretching out the width of the tires to get more ground contact, but I'm actually more interested in upping the diameter a little bit.....going from the stock 245/50/20, to 245 (or 255)/60/20. I think the Edge would look a lot better if it sat about an inch taller. My concern is any drawbacks from going up in sidewall size. Obviously, more sidewall = smoother ride, but I'm more worried about changing the handling characteristics at high speeds, aerodynamics, etc. An inch in sidewall isn't a huge change, but it throws the speedo off by about 4 mph and most likely dip the mpgs some too.

 

Anybody gone with taller tires yet, or know of any adverse effects? Thanks.

[bbf2530]

So there's been plenty of talk about stretching out the width of the tires to get more ground contact, but I'm actually more interested in upping the diameter a little bit.....going from the stock 245/50/20, to 245 (or 255)/60/20. I think the Edge would look a lot better if it sat about an inch taller. My concern is any drawbacks from going up in sidewall size. Obviously, more sidewall = smoother ride, but I'm more worried about changing the handling characteristics at high speeds, aerodynamics, etc. An inch in sidewall isn't a huge change, but it throws the speedo off by about 4 mph and most likely dip the mpgs some too.

 

Anybody gone with taller tires yet, or know of any adverse effects? Thanks.

 

Hi frybel. :D Those are not common tire sizes. Therefore, besides the ride, handling, fitment and other pros-and-cons, your bigger issue will be trying to find suitable tires in those sizes. For example, go to The Tire Rack website and do a search for those sizes LINK: The Tire Rack and you will only come up with 3 choices in a 245/60-20 (one being an Ice and Snow tire) and none in a 255/60-20.

 

While there may be other choices in manufacturers, The Tire Rack does have one of the most varied choices in manufacturers, so finding a tire that you like in that size may be difficult.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[Renesisking]

You are better off doing research in finding a nicer riding tire in the OEM size than you are gaining an inch in sidewall. Your car will ride a little better but you are also going to lose a bit of handling and the tires will roll more around a corner which is never a good thing especially at those sizes. If you really want a better ride then I suggest you go to the factory 18" wheels and those reccomended tire sizes.