which size tires for 16" rims?

[cleong]

Originally Posted by Nimble

Yes, they would have a very similar contact patch, the 45 aspect ratio having the least rollover in turns. The 45 tire woud have roughly a tenth of a inch wider contact patch.

Which means that while hardly noticeable, the 50 tire will be the quieter one - we have a winner!

See, that wasn't so hard, was it?

[tmyers82]

I hate to drag this thread on because of my lack of knowledge, but I still need help. If I understand correctly 205 is the width of the tire tread, 50 is the height of the side wall, and 16 is the size of the wheel. Compared to a 195/50/16 I would think because the 205 is wider it would give better traction. Knowing very little I'm trying to decide what tires to get. Someone even told me 205/45/16 Does anyone have pictures of these different sizes they could add to the thread for a visul comparison?

[Nimble]

Originally Posted by tmyers82

I hate to drag this thread on because of my lack of knowledge, but I still need help. If I understand correctly 205 is the width of the tire tread, 50 is the height of the side wall, and 16 is the size of the wheel. Compared to a 195/50/16 I would think because the 205 is wider it would give better traction. Knowing very little I'm trying to decide what tires to get. Someone even told me 205/45/16 Does anyone have pictures of these different sizes they could add to the thread for a visul comparison?

205 is the section width in mm's
50 is the aspect ratio, which is a % of the width
16 is obiviously the wheel size

And yes, compared to a 195, a 205 will put more tire on the road, all things equal. However, a small, light car like the Yaris rarely needs anything wider than a 195 for handling. You see care like the Integra Type R only came with sticky 195/55 15 race, summer tires. It's the tread compound that makes the difference more than the width for traction. For example, a 205 Kumho Ecsta 712 summer tire would get blown outta the water by a Kumho Ecsta MX in a 195 size. Generally, buy the most expensive, best brand tire you can afford. Best are Bridgestone, Michelin, and Yokohama.

[Nimble]

Originally Posted by cleong

Which means that while hardly noticeable, the 50 tire will be the quieter one - we have a winner!

See, that wasn't so hard, was it?

I don't recall saying the 50 series wasn't quieter. Also, my above post was in regard to 205/50 16, not 195/50 16, which is a lower rolling diameter tire than the 205. The aspect ratio is a % of the width. So not all 50 series will be the same height.

[cleong]

Originally Posted by Nimble

I don't recall saying the 50 series wasn't quieter. Also, my above post was in regard to 205/50 16, not 195/50 16, which is a lower rolling diameter tire than the 205. The aspect ratio is a % of the width. So not all 50 series will be the same height.

Yes, I was talking about 205/50/16 compared to 205/45/16. Since you say that the 45 has a wider contact patch, if we equate noise to contact patch, it would serve to say the 45 would also be the noiser tire, all other things equal.

[Nimble]

Originally Posted by cleong

Yes, I was talking about 205/50/16 compared to 205/45/16. Since you say that the 45 has a wider contact patch, if we equate noise to contact patch, it would serve to say the 45 would also be the noiser tire, all other things equal.

I would tend to agree with you.