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View Full Version : FAQ: What Tyres ?



KiwiTT
20-04-2005, 11:08 PM
Tyres, love 'em or hate 'em they are necessary for getting the best performance out of your car. They deliver the power, they turn the corners, they affect the ride comfort and they help you stop.


Wheel Size
When you are considering tyres, you need to consider your wheel size. The standard VR-4 16" alloys are adequate, but many opt to increase their diametre to 17", 18" or even bigger.

Use this Calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) to see the impact of selecting various sizes. You want to ensure that any increase in diametre does not affect your overall circumference. Should should stay within -1% to 1%, to ensure that your intruments remain reasonably accurate.

Be aware that the higher the diametre, the lower the profile of the tyre and consequently, the harder the ride and the increase in price. It has been reported the price difference in tyres from 17" to 18" is almost double.

NOTE: If you are planning to upgrade your brakes, you will need to increase the wheel size. Anyone thinking of upgrading the calipers needs to consider wheel size and offset (e.g. Oz Supperleggera's require a +45 offset, with KAD 6 pot calipers)

Wheels
This is generally a personal choice. Be aware that the more spokes you have the more cleaning you have to do. There is an endless variety of styles out there.

Tyre Size
Finally we get to the tyres. These are the recommended profiles for the common rim choices.

16" Rims = 225/50 R16
17" Rims = 225/45 R17
18" Rims = 225/40 R18

7.5" width go with 225 and 8" go with 235

Tyre Pressure
For 17" tyres, the most common setting for pressure is 34-36PSI on the front and 32-34 on the rear.

Depending on your ride comfort levels and individual suspension settings you may want to adjust to your liking. For most people, the above are best for all round driving.

NOTE: For track use it is different.

Tyre Brand
There are various brands available for the above sizes. Bridgestone, Pirelli, Yokohama, Toyo, Goodyear, Michellin, Federal, Falken and Avon.

Each brand has it's fan, and will swear by them. However, the most consistently highest rated are the Goodyears, and in particular the Eagle F1 GS-D3 (http://www.goodyear.co.uk/services/tyreguide/feat_eagle_f1_gsd3.html). They have been top in most recent car tyre tests and are consistently well rated by individuals (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+GS-D3) and on here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5709&highlight=goodyear) and here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3643&highlight=goodyear). In April 2007, Wheels Magazine Australia rated them top again. See results here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24270)

In the end the choice is yours. See what Club VR-4 use on theirs here (http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14143)

A Link for your Reference and Research Selecting (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=38) . Be sure to see the drop down menu on the top and bottom of the article on other interesting items. Including Tyre Pressure in the Wet and Dry and in competition. Then check here (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=MP) for a selection of Maximum Performance Tyres or here (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp) for other types of tyres.