[Gumby]

I'm thinking about going from my stock 17 inch tires to the same size but in a 16 inch mounted on a steel rim. I wonder if anyone has any specific issues with that idea?

Not only is there acost savings on the tire size, but the steel rims are a bargain too. I have a good price on a set of Yokohama Ice Guards IG20. Quite reasonable. I was also offered a set of Nokian Hakkapallita SUV tires but they were about $90 more per tire. I know the Nokians are top of the top, but the price is just out of my league.

I know the T and C Touring comes with 16 inch rims so IMO, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

 

[PTCarl]

Winter tires

I'm thinking about going from my stock 17 inch tires to the same size but in a 16 inch mounted on a steel rim. I wonder if anyone has any specific issues with that idea?

Not only is there acost savings on the tire size, but the steel rims are a bargain too. I have a good price on a set of Yokohama Ice Guards IG20. Quite reasonable. I was also offered a set of Nokian Hakkapallita SUV tires but they were about $90 more per tire. I know the Nokians are top of the top, but the price is just out of my league.

I know the T and C Touring comes with 16 inch rims so IMO, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

You would probably have to INCREASE the tire size to compensate for the smaller diameter 16 inch rims to make the circumference as near as possible to the circumference of the tires on the 17 inch rims.

BTW, I preferred the "softer" ride of the 70 profile tires on my 2002 T&C eL to the 65 profile on my 99 GC SE or 06 Sienna LE. I liked the 78 profile on the 91 Astro CL even better since a softer ride is more important to me than tires designed for aggressive cornering.

 

[shipo]

I'm thinking about going from my stock 17 inch tires to the same size but in a 16 inch mounted on a steel rim. I wonder if anyone has any specific issues with that idea?

Not only is there acost savings on the tire size, but the steel rims are a bargain too. I have a good price on a set of Yokohama Ice Guards IG20. Quite reasonable. I was also offered a set of Nokian Hakkapallita SUV tires but they were about $90 more per tire. I know the Nokians are top of the top, but the price is just out of my league.

I know the T and C Touring comes with 16 inch rims so IMO, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

If I'm not mistaken, your car came with 225/65 R17 tires from the factory, and if that's the case, your best winter tire size would be 215/70 R16.

 

[mr weather]

You'd have to go to a higher profile tire to make up for the smaller 16" size.

I have a set of P215/70R16 Michelin Alpin 4x4 from my last vehicle (Saturn VUE) that match the size of the P225/65R17's currently on my SXT. I'll just need a new set of steel rims because the bolt pattern/offset are different.

 

[PTCarl]

Thanks shipo and mr weather

If I'm not mistaken, your car came with 225/65 R17 tires from the factory, and if that's the case, your best winter tire size would be 215/70 R16.

You'd have to go to a higher profile tire to make up for the smaller 16" size.

Thanks for providing ACCURATE information correcting my suggestion.

 

[Jeepman]

I'm thinking about going from my stock 17 inch tires to the same size but in a 16 inch mounted on a steel rim. I wonder if anyone has any specific issues with that idea?

Not only is there acost savings on the tire size, but the steel rims are a bargain too. I have a good price on a set of Yokohama Ice Guards IG20. Quite reasonable. I was also offered a set of Nokian Hakkapallita SUV tires but they were about $90 more per tire. I know the Nokians are top of the top, but the price is just out of my league.

I know the T and C Touring comes with 16 inch rims so IMO, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Any differences in brake / brake calipers that might result in interference problems. Chrysler has been in the habit of using two different brake systems.

 

[Gumby]

Thanks for the info.

But since there is an OE 16 inch tire on the T and C Touring, wouldn't the only benefit be going to a taller 16 inch tire be with regards to the speedo calibration (in relation to downsizing from 17 inch).


When I was at the tire dealer he gave me the 225/65R16 as the replacement in a 16 inch.

Also, is it extremely likely that the Touring T and C has a different system than the LTD? Can someone confirm this?

 

[Gumby]

I thought I 'd post the comparaison...

 

[Jeepman]

Thanks for the info.

But since there is an OE 16 inch tire on the T and C Touring, wouldn't the only benefit be going to a taller 16 inch tire be with regards to the speedo calibration (in relation to downsizing from 17 inch).


When I was at the tire dealer he gave me the 225/65R16 as the replacement in a 16 inch.

Also, is it extremely likely that the Touring T and C has a different system than the LTD? Can someone confirm this?

Going with a lesser overall diameter tire means more revs per mile and some speedometer issues as to actual speed being travelled. Winter tires, being softer, tend toward lesser gas mileage, and going to smaller overall diameter size, makes that worse. You might want to go to a slightly larger overall diameter tire rather than smaller.
From the following Tire Size Calculator, the following sizes, if you can get them, and if they are suitable type tire for the application, are very, very close.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
245/65R-16 (60 mph read versus 60.0 actual)
225/70R-16 (60 mph read versus 59.8 actual)
215/75R-16 (60 mph read versus 60.4 actual)

 

[Gumby]

According to that link, it says that my speedo will be 3.5% too fast. If my speedo says 60 mph, I will be travelling only 57.9 mph.

Not really the end of the world. But interesting info to tell the police if ever I get stopped....lol

 

[Jeepman]

According to that link, it says that my speedo will be 3.5% too fast. If my speedo says 60 mph, I will be travelling only 57.9 mph.

Not really the end of the world. But interesting info to tell the police if ever I get stopped....lol

Just tell them you had a couple too many to drink and forgot to adjust your speed. :lol:

 

[PTCarl]

Just tell them you had a couple too many to drink and forgot to adjust your speed. :lol:

WRONG excuse. A DUI / DWI is MUCH more costly than a mere speeding ticket.

BTW, an Odyssey speedometer reads higher than actual speed and the odometer more miles than actually travelled. (Same was true with my Volkswagen Super Beetle). :Wow1:

 

[Jeepman]

WRONG excuse. A DUI / DWI is MUCH more costly than a mere speeding ticket.

BTW, an Odyssey speedometer reads higher than actual speed and the odometer more miles than actually travelled. (Same was true with my Volkswagen Super Beetle). :Wow1:

I was thinking a couple too many Bromo-Seltzer. :biggrin:

For the Odyssey, one of the best of the old tricks to show higher miles per gallon.

 

[Hokiefyd]

For the Odyssey, one of the best of the old tricks to show higher miles per gallon.

The big concern over the Honda speedometer inaccuracies (and I think with Nissan as well), was the warranty was expiring prematurely due to miles in some cases. In other words, if the vehicle showed 36,500 miles (out of warranty), it may have actually had only 35,500 miles (still in warranty).

 

[Gumby]

Heres an update.

I went with a 225/65/17 Yokohama Geolandar I/T 072 winter on the original chrome rims (it's leased so...whatever).:bcyclop:

Kal Tire in Fort McMurray said they couldn't get any 16 inch rims (back order or nothing avail for the 08 TC -BS probably) and the 17 inch steel rim was $130 each (and available, surprise surprise)...yeah right, forget it. Why do I always feel that anywhere I go up here I am always asked to bend over and grab my ankels and wait for a price????:help_wsig

I would have loved to get the tires on 16 inch rims and perform the switchover myself...but that's not happening.

 

[mr weather]

I stopped by my local Active Green+Ross and inquired about 16" steel wheels for my 08 SXT. They said they were not available aftermarket yet and that I'd probably have to go to the dealer (and bend over I'm sure...)

Anyway, just wanted to give an update. It looks like I may be riding on the OE 17" wheels and tires this winter. :jpshakehe

 

[AzTraveller]

According to that link, it says that my speedo will be 3.5% too fast. If my speedo says 60 mph, I will be travelling only 57.9 mph.

Not really the end of the world. But interesting info to tell the police if ever I get stopped....lol

When you go to a different tire rim size (17 to 16 or 15), also go to a different sidewall size from 65, to 70, or 75. That will make up the difference you lost with changing the rim size.

Can one of you get him a copy of that comparison chart but with the 70 / 75 series comparing it with his OEM 65 series?

Thanks

 

[mackbig]

I have been calling around. The dealers are out of 16 and 17" rims. They are on backorder.... probably due to the quebec law. They did say that chrysler does not actually make the rim, they get them from a rim supplier...so its surprising that green+ross cant get them.

Any like you I have just decided to mount and remount on my OEM 17".

For the $117 each for 16's and $176 for the 17's steelies even if you could find them, I can do a lot of off and on's at walmart or crappy tire.


Andrew

I stopped by my local Active Green+Ross and inquired about 16" steel wheels for my 08 SXT. They said they were not available aftermarket yet and that I'd probably have to go to the dealer (and bend over I'm sure...)

Anyway, just wanted to give an update. It looks like I may be riding on the OE 17" wheels and tires this winter. :jpshakehe

 

[mackbig]

here is a calculator that will show you how a change in rim size will affect your tire size requirements, and impact on speedometer.

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

Andrew

 

[mr weather]

I have been calling around. The dealers are out of 16 and 17" rims. They are on backorder.... probably due to the quebec law. They did say that chrysler does not actually make the rim, they get them from a rim supplier...so its surprising that green+ross cant get them.

The Active guy showed me his supplier's book and there is nothing listed for 08 Grand Caravans, either in 16" or 17". His opinion was it takes at least one model year before aftermarket wheels are available.

Interesting comment about Quebec. I had heard there might be a shortage of winter/snow tires this year but I completely overlooked the fact that steel wheels might suffer the same fate.

Any like you I have just decided to mount and remount on my OEM 17".

Unfortunately the winter tires I currently have are 16" and won't fit the 17" OE rims (obviously ).