[TrepLovin]

I've been running the SE package 16" steel rims with hubcaps now since I purchased the vehicle (225/60/16). Recently snagged a pair of 17" chrome aluminum rims with four perfect tires for nothing that are in almost perfect shape (215/60/17).

Overall the new look and ride quality is freaking nice! But I'm definitely not impressed with the hit my acceleration has taken.

So the obvious thing to do is get smaller tires, what sizes have you boys been running? I'm contemplating also leaving the back tires the original size and putting the lower profile tires on the front for a slanted stance.

Appreciate any input boys.

[DrDodge]

you can use 2 different size tires if you DONT have ABS

[TrepLovin]

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out, hmm.

Any suggestions as far as tire sizes?

[Strmvt]

you "should" have the "stock" 17 size on them it "may" help it is 225/55/17

[Scooter-Man]

Go back to 16" tires? I too did the same thing but like the ride of the 17" tires.

[Squilliam]

You noticed a difference in performance? Hmm. I should weigh one of my old steelies and one of my Motorsports to see how much of a difference there is.

[concordefreak]

It shouldn't have made much of a difference, maybe the tires that came with them are reinforced sidewall, but you're going to need to choose acceleration over the look/feel of the tires.

Since your wheels are 215mm wide gas mileage won't be affected too much in terms of crusing.

I'm sure the car is fine, you might have lost at most 0.2 seconds in a quarter mile. My car is running charger 18's with the right size tires and acceleration isn't too bad (theres a 15 lbs difference between 16's and 18's), my fuel economy also dropped 10%.

Like i said, its either form over function. The trep isn't going to be beating many new cars on the road today, but at least you can maintain the look of the vehicle.

[el_charal]

What size tires are on your Charger wheels?

[concordefreak]

245/45/18 Nankang NS2's.

[peva]

That's what I was thinking.

However:

Be aware that the acceleration (and braking) hit is not just the weight numbers - it's how that weight is distributed in the wheel. There's a square law effect of distance of weight from center of rotation - so even if an 18" wheel were the same weight as a 16" wheel (which it's not), the fact that the metal (more dense than rubber) is further out on the wheel is going to have higher moment of inertia (resistance to spin up - or for braking, spin down), and again, not just linear effect - it's the distance squared.

[TrepLovin]

I assumed the tires on the rims were factory. Tire shops locally won't sell anything that isn't a "stock" size, and 225/60/17 was what they kept offering and sizing out of the books.

55's or 50's is what I was considering.

As far as the acceleration goes, it's a nice and day difference. I notice my transmission acts a little different too, doesn't always shift back down into one and will hang in two through out driving; only going into one during complete stops or using A/S.

Though as far as ride quality, the tires and rims ride 300x smoother!

[Intrepidfan]

According to Tirerack.com, the 17 inch equivalent to our stock 225/60R16 is 225/55R17.

[TrepLovin]

Nice, thanks for that confirmation.

Ironically, it's the same size tire my friend put on his SRT4 recently - much cheaper then the size I've been quoted for at a few locations (225/60/17).

Anyone have an opinions on decent winter handling tires that can handle the warmer months as well?

[el_charal]

That's surprising. An inch of difference would make that big of a difference in performance and mileage... AREN'T ALUMINUM RIMS LIGHTER THAN STEEL ONES? That's weird, dude.

[TrepLovin]

I'd have to say these chrome aluminum rims with the larger tires are significantly heavier then my past sixteen inch steel rims with the tire.