Yaris newbie, trying to find out max tire size....

[xixixi]

I live in Africa, just bought a Yaris sedan in California and shipped it out to Africa where I'm based.

The problem is, the roads here aren't that good (lots of potholes and all) and the Yaris is naturally low, so the average drive turns out into a ground-smooching spree. The tires on the Yaris right now are the default size (185/60/R15).

So I'd like to get bigger tires so as to increase the ground clearance a little (without increasing the rim size or raising the shock absorbers).

My question is, what is the biggest tire size that I can get to increase the clearance, without getting any rubbing.

Thanks a lot, would appreciate any help.

[WeeYari]

Are you sure you didn't actually buy a car with lowering springs installed? Stock, the Yaris actually rides quite high.

[xixixi]

Hi, thanks a lot for replying. No, I don't think it was already lowered before.

Driving here on these roads gives you a new perspective on what's low and what's not, believe me. So would like to increase my tire size to improve the ground clearance. Would have raised the springs, but parts aren't readily accessible here, and I dont trust the mechanics here with my baby.

Do you think 205/60/R15 would be too large?

[kimona]

I would prefer 195/60/15's; however, 205/60/15's are an acceptable fitment.

[xixixi]

Hi Kimona, thanks a lot, really appreciate it. Hope it works, hope I don't get any rubbing when I install them. Will start shopping for tires now, and will let you know how it goes.

Thank you so so much!

[ilikerice]

whoa.. 195 and 205 are WIDER tires.. they will not increase the ride height of a car.. u wanna increase the middle number. 185/60/15

so.. i dont think anyone has really experimented with increasing this size of the tire with the yaris. try posting this or researching in the "regional forums" in your country.. they may be able to help u alot more then us low riders.

[eTiMaGo]

or follow in Crashy's footsteps... ;-)

[kimona]

Of course, the car's ride height will increase as the overall diameter of the tyre increases.

185/60/15 = 23.7"
195/60/15 = 24.2"
205/60/15 = 24.7"

[ilikerice]

where did u get this info at? 185-195-205 is not diameter size. thats only increasing width..

look http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_size

[ilikerice]

The tires on a BMW Mini Cooper might be labeled: P195/55R16 85H

P — these tires are for a passenger vehicle. However 'P' denotes P metric size load & speed rating changes for P tire & non-P tires.
195 — the nominal width of the tire is approximately 195 mm at the widest point
55 — indicates that the height of the sidewall of the tire is 55% of the width (107 mm)
R — this is a radial tire
16 — this tire fits 16-inch-diameter (410 mm) wheels
85 — the load index, a maximum of 515 kg per tire in this case
H — the speed index, this means the maximum permitted speed, here 210 km/h (130 mph).

[kimona]

^^^ Sorry, but I don't believe you really understand tyre sizing and you are only going to confuse the OP.

[eTiMaGo]

what is 55% of 185? what is 55% of 205? ;)

[ilikerice]

maybe i am misunderstanding this.. ill back out of this one..

[dingbat]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

maybe i am misunderstanding this.. ill back out of this one..

Dude, The middle number is simply a percentage of the tread width.

185/60/15, 60% of 185 = 185x.6 = 111 sidewall height.

195/60/15, 60% of 195 = 195x.6 = 117 sidewall height.

The difference in sidewall height is 6mm between the two sizes. Because the sidewall is on both sides of the wheel when measuring diameter, or total height, double the difference for 12mm total height difference. Really you're only talking about a 6mm difference in ride height, but the real issue is with the gearing and speedo. reading. Circumference is diameter x Pi (3.14) so the difference in circumference would be about 38mm. between the two sizes which is just under a 6.5% difference. A 205/60/15 would be a 12mm increase in ride height (bout 1/2 an inch) and aprox. 12.5% increase in gear ratio. That's going to be significant.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

maybe i am misunderstanding this.. ill back out of this one..

Wisest words ever - "I don't know." Congrats - you did good.