Replacement Tire Thread

[The Champ]

yep, 15's! lol, I'm usually a huge fan of plus sizing wheels, but, for mileage, taller skinnier works better..

In a mile of driving - the 195/65/15 General Altimax make 831 revolutions. The 205/55/16's make 834 and the 205/50//17's make 828. Bottom line - no real difference in height.

The narrower tread will help fuel mileage slightly, but the down side is that the handling will not be nearly as good. Saving a buck or two per month on gas isn't worth ending up in the ditch to me.

 

[ahtoxa]

In a mile of driving - the 195/65/15 General Altimax make 831 revolutions. The 205/55/16's make 834 and the 205/50//17's make 828. Bottom line - no real difference in height.

The narrower tread will help fuel mileage slightly, but the down side is that the handling will not be nearly as good. Saving a buck or two per month on gas isn't worth ending up in the ditch to me.

If you're going to be in the ditch while driving on 195mm rubber, then you're going to be in the ditch wearing 205mm rubber just as fast.

There is a difference, perhaps, but my point is there's definitely not a huge difference when you're talking about a Sonic on all-season tires. I would not be concerned with 195 vs 205 in ever day driving.

 

[mdoffroad]

I meant less rolling resistance for a slightly narrower tire and yeah, 205 vs 195, not really gonna be saving lives with the difference..

 

[The Champ]

Guys

Your missing the fact that the 15" tires have a lot more sidewall flex on a narrower tread surface.

All three sizes are about 25" tall. That means the sidewall area on the 15" tire is about 5" between the rim and the road, the 16 has about 4.5" and the 17 has 4"

If you look at the fuel economy of a Sonic with the same engine/transmission - the ratings don't change by the diameter of the rim. But I know which car will handle better.

I remember when I replaced the stock size 14" rims and 75 series tires on our Camaro with (what were considered big wheels at the time) 50 series 16's - the handling capability of the car was night and day different.

This fall, I replaced my OE 55 series 16" Hankook's with 50 series 16" tires of the same diameter - and once again - the handling improved dramatically. I did notice a slight decrease in mileage (225's vs 205's) and I expected that. For winter use I stayed with the OE size because a narrower tire will grip better in the snow.

 

[ahtoxa]

Quantify "better" . Some numbers would be nice.

 

[The Champ]

Quantify "better" . Some numbers would be nice.

Sorry, I haven't been on the track lately, with my Sonic..

There is a reason why the V6 Camaro runs a 245/55/18 and the Camaro Z28 (basically a factory road race car) runs a 305/30/19 tire.

It's isn't just to allow a wider tire for straight ahead traction, the lower profile provides much better handling in the corners.

I've got enough racing experience to know that all other factors being equal - a 50 series tire will out handle a 65 series tire on a Sonic.

 

[ahtoxa]

I'm not saying that wider tire does NOT provide better traction. I'm saying that in case of the Sonic, the difference is negligible.

Also, LS2 GTO's optional 18" wheel wears a 235mm wide rubber and no track difference was seen between it and the 245 rubber on the factory 17" wheels.

 

[LTZ ICE]

Yes, the original Hankook's are terrible tires, which were the worst set of tires I have ever owned. I replaced them with the same Goddyears as The Champ. The Eagle sports are outstanding! They stick like glue, are more responsive and incredible in wet conditions. These tires do not hydroplane! In addition, we had 2.5 inches of snow last week, and they performed very well.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Michelin Premier A/S 215/50R17/XL 95 V

I got Michelin premier a/s and they are awesome. Better in every way. Maybe lost 1/2 mpg

I have to concur! The Michelin Premier A/S tires are fantastic! I've had a new set of 215/50R17/XL 95V on since April 2014 and they have been without a doubt the best tires I've ever had, period! Especially up here in the Pacific Northwest where we usually get a lot of rain. I also haven't noticed any change in my fuel mileage.

I'd definitely would buy them again! :banana:

Premier A/S | Michelin Tires

 

[The Champ]

I'm not saying that wider tire does NOT provide better traction. I'm saying that in case of the Sonic, the difference is negligible.

Also, LS2 GTO's optional 18" wheel wears a 235mm wide rubber and no track difference was seen between it and the 245 rubber on the factory 17" wheels.

Skinnier tires will affect cornering ability. The advantage of the 40 series profile on the 18's was lost due to the decreased tread width vs the wider 17's.

Simple math.

 

[lipper11]

replacement tires

Just Thought I'd Throw My 2 cents in, After much research I bought Mastercraft Touring LSR Tires. After more then 5000 miles I am very happy with the tires.They are smooth riding, quiet, no flat spots even after sitting overnight in -6 degrees cold. And after driving recently in 6" of snow and ice with no problems at all. They have brought back my confidence in my Sonic's ability to drive in the winter. I will replace my Wife's tires with them. By the way they were $88.00 apiece installed. (195-65-15-H rated), 2013 Turbo LT.

 

[SSTODD]

I believe those are made by COOPER, off brand with better pricing.

 

[ahtoxa]

I'm starting to shop for my second replacement set and third overall set, including the OEM tire.

Looks like there's a good deal going on right now on tirerack, where they are discounting the General Alatimax RT tires from $75 to $54. Having had a good experience with my Generals, I'm inclined to buy those again, but I'll need to wait a month or so before I order, so the sale might be done by then.

 

[2013RS]

RS Tires

Has anyone actually figured out what the best replacement option is for the 17" wheels? I have the leftover OE tires, and they need to go. The Goodyear Eagle Sports, General Altimax, and Mastercraft Touring LSRs are all mentioned but really no definitive answer was given. Has anyone run multiple sets? I need a good all weather tire, and I love the factory RS wheels.

 

[ahtoxa]

Has anyone actually figured out what the best replacement option is for the 17" wheels? I have the leftover OE tires, and they need to go. The Goodyear Eagle Sports, General Altimax, and Mastercraft Touring LSRs are all mentioned but really no definitive answer was given. Has anyone run multiple sets? I need a good all weather tire, and I love the factory RS wheels.

You will never get a definitive answer, because there isn't one. It's like asking what color is best for the Sonic.

Variables such as budget, driving style, driving conditions, tire performance characteristics (wet performance, snow performance, dry adhesion, wear, etc.) and even looks will be prioritized differently by different people.

Best thing to do is this: go to a site like tirerack.com

- select tire size and look for all tires in that size
- narrow down your selection to all season tires, winter tires or summer tires, depending on what you want. If not sure, the website offers a guide on this.
- Narrow down further based on your budget you want to dedicate to the tires.
- research tires in your budget: review tirerack's reviews and tests as well as user's surveys and reviews.
- buy the tire that offers the best reviews in your price range and offers you the characteristics you're looking for, such as best winter traction or best wet traction or longest life.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Looks is what's most important. Don't buy tires unless they look cool or are spelled with a y


**** you auto correct!

 

[Pitt83]

Has anyone actually figured out what the best replacement option is for the 17" wheels? I have the leftover OE tires, and they need to go. The Goodyear Eagle Sports, General Altimax, and Mastercraft Touring LSRs are all mentioned but really no definitive answer was given. Has anyone run multiple sets? I need a good all weather tire, and I love the factory RS wheels.

I just bought the General Alitmax's RT43 205/50/17 for my LTZ Sedan today. They are way better and can already tell the difference as it is snowy and icy here. Although if you all are looking for some cheap tires-Saliun Atrezzo Z4's are decent for warmer climates and have awesome traction in the rain but suck in the snow-they start around 80 a tire.

 

[dennjim]

2014 stock LT sedan , need to replace the 95/65/15 Hankook's . On the stock 15's rim , can I widen the tire up just a bit ?

 

[EPYON96R]

I just replaced my Hancooks with Falken ZIEX ZE950s 195/60r15. I wanted to state that I had no issues in with my old hancooks in dry or wet conditions. I know everyone complains that the hancooks are garbage but I had no issues. Just time to replace cuz they were old.

 

[MarkS]

I just replaced my Hancooks with Falken ZIEX ZE950s 195/60r15. I wanted to state that I had no issues in with my old hancooks in dry or wet conditions. I know everyone complains that the hancooks are garbage but I had no issues. Just time to replace cuz they were old.

Horrible in the snow. I drove mine fifty miles and that was enough.