# Re. Wide Vs Narrow Tires - I rest my case **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 18, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522 "2025-03-18T06:45:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/361 "2025-04-15T19:06:50Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > > [@CapriRacer](#): > > > > Doing my part to get to 400! > > Maybe we can add a topic to the discussion. > > What ever happened to the metric tires/wheels Ford came out with in the 80’s? I believe Michelin was the only one (I think) that made those metric tires for the Ford wheels. > > What was the supposed benefit to that system? Were the tires any better? Did the metric wheels enhance handling in any way? Oh, you mean TRX. That was a Michelin “innovation”. And they appeared on more than just Ford. Ferrari, BMW, and more! There was no advantage - except maybe to Michelin. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/362 "2025-04-15T21:59:29Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > 235-710R460A So that entire size is expressed in mm: “460” = 18.1 inches. A decent rim diameter for a minivan. I have no idea what the middle figure “710” represents. Definitely not aspect or sidewall height. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/363 "2025-04-15T22:11:03Z")
710 is the Overall tire diameter in mm. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/364 "2025-04-15T22:16:05Z")
Thanks. I knew you would know! lol So that size designation format omits any mention of aspect ratio. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/365 "2025-04-15T22:18:48Z")
Not exactly. From the overall diameter, you can calculate the aspect ratio. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/366 "2025-04-15T22:41:17Z")
710mm = Overall tire diameter 460 = Wheel diameter 235 = Tire overall width. 710 - 460 = 250mm sidewall height. 235/250 = 0.94 which is impossible! Even I would not advocate for a 90-series tire (except maybe a bicycle lol). Dividing 460/710 I get 0.647, or a reasonable 65-class tire. Seems more intuitive to calculate it the former way (tire width by sidwall height), but the answer I got was ridiculous! ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/367 "2025-04-15T22:51:02Z")
Just sayin the last thing I ever look at on a car is the tire size. When I need tires I just get what was on there. I don’t race because I don’t want to break anything. ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/368 "2025-04-15T23:06:06Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > Did this Malibu and Cruze have stock rims and tires? > > Do you happen to know what size tires they had? > > Do you remember the model years? The Cruze is a 2018 RS with the stick rims, very short sidewall. The malibu I do not know. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/369 "2025-04-15T23:07:33Z")
710 - 460 = 250 250 / 2 = 125 Aspect ratio: 125 / 235 = 0.5319 ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/370 "2025-04-15T23:10:37Z")
And your not going to tell me that low profile tires do not use less rubber to make. These tire companies LOVE low profile tires, half the rubber, same cost. All because people want to look slick or sporty. Thats the problem with America, everyone wants to look hip or sporty without the means to truly afford being cool. Being hip costs ALOT of money, blowing out tores and rims like its 1918 in a model T all while paying extra for the privilege to have fragile tires and rims. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/371 "2025-04-15T23:12:33Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Just sayin the last thing I ever look at on a car is the tire size. It should be the first thing. I treat any vehicle I operate like an appliance: I look at the documentation first. That documentation is on the drivers door pillar, on one or more placards, and on the tire sidewall (gross load info.) Under the hood, any placards there describing fluids or engine specs. Then I make any necessary adjusts: Add oil or air where needed, then go on my way. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/372 "2025-04-15T23:14:16Z")
My mom’s Civic EX-L has stock 215/45R17 She has yet to ruin a rim or tire due to potholes Gimme a break, Rick She’s 83 years old and was NOT interested in looking cool, hip, etc. That particular car was optioned the way she wanted ---
**Author:** ![Old-Days-Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7feea3/32.png) [@Old-Days-Rick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Old-Days-Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/373 "2025-04-15T23:18:00Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > My mom’s Civic EX-L has stock 215/45R17 > > She has yet to ruin a rim or tire due to potholes > > Gimme a break, Rick > > She’s 83 years old and was NOT interested in looking cool, hip, etc. > > That particular car was optioned the way she wanted I bet she would love the car more if it had 185/75 r14s on it. Better ride. Do you have potholes in California? The roads here are TERRIBLE! Absolutely terrible. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/374 "2025-04-15T23:18:58Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > My mom’s Civic EX-L has stock 215/45R17 There are four good reasons to run that size on a grocery-getter/ church-goer: Appearances. Appearances. Appearances, and Appearances! ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/375 "2025-04-15T23:45:27Z")
I have a new tack to take on this tire aspect debate: Let’s look at wide/narrow tire preference as a correlation of age. Just provide your decade, and preference for high or low aspect tires. Me: In my thirties, for drivability reasons, I was hawking the lowest profile tires of the day. Now, in my fifties, I’m all for higher profile, up to 70-series. Next! ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/376 "2025-04-15T23:46:50Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > I have a new tack to take on this tire aspect debate: Enough already! ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/377 "2025-04-16T00:03:06Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > > [@davesmopar](#): > > > > 235-710R460A > > So that entire size is expressed in mm: “460” = 18.1 inches. A decent rim diameter for a minivan. > > I have no idea what the middle figure “710” represents. Definitely not aspect or sidewall height. Of course the wheels had to be replaced when it was time to replace the tires… The same Honda Odyssey w/different trim level also could run a 235/65R16 and it was the closest to the PAX overall tire size… > [@db4690](#): > > PAX was a cruel joke, imo I couldn’t agree more, it was fun informing customers that their worn out tires was about to cost them a lot more money than they had budgeted for due to the fact that they also had to buy new wheels… 🤦‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/378 "2025-04-16T00:07:28Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > could run a 235/65R16 and it was the > closest to the PAX overall tire size… Actually, Nevada (post 368) might have a point, and Capri can weigh in: He divides the difference between tire height and sidewall by half, resulting in an aspect ratio of 50-55. So who’s correct? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 12:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/379 "2025-04-16T00:38:05Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > > [@davesmopar](#): > > > > could run a 235/65R16 and it was the > > closest to the PAX overall tire size… > > Actually, Nevada (post 368) might have a point, and Capri can weigh in: > > He divides the difference between tire height and sidewall by half, > resulting in an aspect ratio of 50-55. > > So who’s correct? Read my post again, I said it was the closest to the overall size.. That means that a 235/70R16 would have been to tall and thrown the speedo off, and a 235/60R16 would have been to short and would have thrown the speedo off… We could have gone with a 235/55R18 and that would have been the closest tire size as well as overall size, but the 235/65R16 was the most common OEM size for the Odyssey at the time… BTW, a 235/60R17 would have been a good match for the overall size also… Overall might not be the best word here, maybe it needed a 2nd word like Overall Diameter or Overall Circumference… ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522/380 "2025-04-16T00:49:50Z")
> [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > I bet she would love the car more if it had 185/75 r14s on it. Better ride. For that model year, base model had 195/65R15, EX had 205/55R16 and EX-L had 215/45R17 The EX-L had the options she wanted So there you go > [@Old-Days-Rick](#): > > Do you have potholes in California? The roads here are TERRIBLE! Absolutely terrible. I live in Los Angeles So the answer is YES We have potholes The roads are bad But as I said earlier, she hasn’t ruined any rims or tires driving over potholes [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522.md?page=18) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/re-wide-vs-narrow-tires-i-rest-my-case/199522.md?page=20)