imported_Si-Guy

Hi Club,

Just got a question:

I own a 2004 Civic Sport Sedan with the SIR rims with stock 185-65-15.

I'm due for a change in tires now (all seasons), and was wondering if I should use the 195-60-15?

The latter size is used on the 04's, and 04 EL's, and 04+ Si's both coupe and sedan.

The difference is only .3" roughly.

Should I care about my gap size?

Anyone have this experience and up sized???

Anyone happy with decision?

Got any pics?

Thanks alot GUYS

JOHN

DumbasSi

Those will be fine. I would even consider going to a 205/55/15. As long as the difference in diameter stays within 3% or so, the different sizes will not effect your speedo or odo. I doubt you will even notice if they "look" different because it is such a small amount.

Oldspower

If you do alot of highway driving, go for a taller tire, you'll get a lower RPM at higher speeds, but will accelerate slower. IMO, if you're doing alot of highway, go taller tire. Plus more sidewall means a softer ride. As long as it's a quality tire.

imported_phuviano

You won't notice a difference between 195/60/15 and 185/65/15. Both these tires are stock size for 01-05 civics. My 04 si rims had 195/60 as the stock tire size. I'm currently using 185/65/15 as my winter tires.

You might as well go 205/55/15, if you want wider tires. You won't notice much of a difference with 195/60. So either just stick with 185/65 or go 205/55. If you go 205, the ride will be a little more harsh though.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

definitely DON'T listen to this guy. let's understand first what HE is saying... he's recommending you go not for "PLUS' sizing, which increases the width and/or rim size while maintaining the same rolling diameter, but rather straight up increase the rolling diameter of your tire. this would be bad for several reasons, not the least of which would be speedo being off (going faster than indicated on speedo), your odometer being off, your cruizing RPMs would be lower (due to your effective final drive being higher, numerically lower), possible clearance issues at lock to lock steering, or clearance issues in the rear if you load the car up with passengers and then hit a dip in the road (like those nasty ones on the Gardiner westbound a short while before the 427). and it may or may not effect your ABS operation, but that I'm not sure about... it's a claim by the dealers that I don't really buy into.

what 'PLUS' sizing is about, is maintaining the same rolling diameter. this is accomplished by varying the aspect ratio (middle number of the tire size) with respect to width and rim size.

in your case for example, 185-65-15 you said... ok, let me give you some examples of plus sizing... 195-60-15 is identical to your tire in rolling diameter. that is because you increased the width, but decreased the aspect ratio (which is a percentage of the width of the tire). while a 'calculator' may show it's different by a lil bit... it's actually really not. tire sizes vary widely even in the same size from manufacturer to manufacturer, due to diff't standards, manufacturing processes, and tread depth. also, your tires reduce in diameter as they wear out... therefore, being SLIGHTLY off is no different than changing the brand of your tire in the same size, or having worn out tires. Now... 195-65-15 would be the WRONG size tire.... it would be one size too big for your car. this is what you wanna avoid (and it's also what oldspower was recommending for some reason). or say you wanted to up your width AND your rim size... the right 16 inch tire would be a 205-50-16 for example. it retains the same rolling diameter as the stock tire.... or a 205-45-17. the rule of thumb is, take 5 % off the aspect ratio for every 10 mm increase in width, and also take 5 % off the aspect ratio for every 1 inch increase in rim diameter. following this will give you the correct tire size every time.

imported_Si-Guy

pics anyone?

DumbasSi

Of what? You won't even be able to see the difference between a 185/65 and a 195/60 from a picture.

imported_Turbo-D

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
185/65-14 4.7in 11.7in 23.5in 73.7in 859 0.0%
190/60-15 4.5in 12.0in 24.0in 75.3in 841 2.2%

Double_B

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

There is another one on the same site for offset.