Vehicle tire size shenanigans

[Gravedigger]

Hello there.

I have a Ecosport with current fitted tires of 205/50/R17. I would like to get some moar sidewall height, these potholes all over ZA is a problem.

I was thinking about getting a 205/55/R17 tire, but seems like my options is very limited. Someone else mentioned that I can maybe go for a 215/55/R17 or 215/60/R17?

I drive long distances, and most of the times, also on bad-roads, riddled with potholes, so I'm looking for something bigger.
I already got a small-bubble on two of the tires, and I'm keeping an eye on them, to ensure that they don't get bigger, hence looking for a bigger tire.

Also, the tires have 50,000km on them, so probably good to start looking at my options.

What's your opinion on the bigger tire, and can I go a bit wider? Seems like the 215/55/R17 have more options, and not so expensive.

 

[NR7]

Wider and higher profile is fine as long as
- you stick within 5% of the oem diameter as larger than this could put strain on your drivetrain and cause significant speedo error.
- the rim is wide enough to accommodate the wider tyre (almost never a problem if you’re just going one size up on width on oem rims)
- there is enough clearance to suspension and bodywork (almost never a problem when going one size up on cars without aftermarket lowering)

I’d look at 215/55/17.
17.5% thicker sidewall, 4.8% larger diameter and looks like a good selection of brands offering that size. When your speedo shows 120 you will actually be doing 126 though, although most manufacturers leave a small margin at the factory so the difference might not be as large. You can verify with Waze or another gps speed app on your phone.

 

[Gravedigger]

Wider and higher profile is fine as long as
- you stick within 5% of the oem diameter as larger than this could put strain on your drivetrain and cause significant speedo error.
- the rim is wide enough to accommodate the wider tyre (almost never a problem if you’re just going one size up on width on oem rims)
- there is enough clearance to suspension and bodywork (almost never a problem when going one size up on cars without aftermarket lowering)

I’d look at 215/55/17.
17.5% thicker sidewall, 4.8% larger diameter and looks like a good selection of brands offering that size. When your speedo shows 120 you will actually be doing 126 though, although most manufacturers leave a small margin at the factory so the difference might not be as large. You can verify with Waze or another gps speed app on your phone.

Thanks. I think I'll have a look at the 215/55/17 size then.

As for the speedo, I can actually program in the speedo correction in Forscan. I've done it a few times on my Fiesta. I had on my Fiesta 195/55/16, and it was working well. (from 195/50/16, IIRC )

Looks like a few people have done this wider rim size (TeamBHP), but I think I should test this theory, in any case, to confirm that there's enough clearance, inside, topside and the arch.