Replacement of the original tire size
Size doesn't matter. Size isn't everything. Better to be wider. These phrases can be heard in various situations, including among men when discussing the choice of tires for their cars. But how true are these phrases when it comes to tires?
When choosing tires for your vehicle, it's best to follow certain guidelines. Each car is designed and tested with a specific tire size. The car's characteristics and driving habits are fine-tuned on a test track with one or several tire and wheel sizes. After thorough testing and certification, the car manufacturer recommends operating the vehicle with specific tire and wheel sizes. As a rule, each car model can have several recommended wheel sizes, usually differing by one inch. This means that the outer diameter of the wheel remains the same or varies slightly (within 3%). The difference lies in the fact that as the outer diameter of the wheel increases, the tire profile decreases and its width increases.
For example, there may be such interchangeability options as 205/60R16 -> 205/55R17 -> 225/45R18. The wheel sizes and widths also change: 6.5Jx16 -> 7Jx17 -> 7.5Jx18. However, this is just one example, and each car is unique, with its own logic for transitioning between sizes. You can find the recommended wheel options for your vehicle on a sticker on the body, usually on the middle pillar on the driver's side or on the fuel tank lid. If you can't find this sticker, the information is definitely in the vehicle's technical documentation. Some manufacturers also have separate recommendations for winter tire sizes for use in cold weather.
Modern cars have many electronic assistants and safety systems that are interconnected. The onboard computer collects information from various sensors, compares it with the parameters embedded in it, and responds in case of deviation. The recommended tire sizes are used to calculate the wheel circumference and read its rotation speed. Therefore, installing non-native tire or wheel sizes can lead to errors in electronics or all-wheel drive. Don't think that you can outsmart the engineering department by buying taller tires to make it easier to get out of a snowbank. Short-term benefits can lead to expensive repairs. It's better to buy and put a shovel in your trunk for unexpected natural disasters.