What's the best tyre size on 15" Wheels?

[Jazzmeister]

I need to replace my tyres on my 1.3 CVT and I was wondering if anyone changed from the stock size 175/65 R15 tyres and what their experiences were?

[Jazzmeister]

No one ever replace their tyres?

[TnTkr]

Maybe they're keeping the original size 

What would you like to gain with changing the size? Comfort, sportiness, looks etc.?

[culzean]

Why change when 175/65R15 are cheap and plentiful  ? Do you want to fit 16" wheels and expensive tyres.  We changed from 16" wheels with 185/55R16 to 15" wheels with 175 tyres and the ride was quieter and more comfortable and tyres half the price of 16",  If you go wider on 15" rims they tyre noise will increase and the likelyhood of aquaplaning will rise... and of course you have to watch speedo calibration.. as the rolling radius has to be the same ( same number of wheel revolutions per KM or mile ).  Wider lower profile tyres would be a mistake on Jazz MK2 suspension.

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/tools/tyre-size-calculator

[Westy36]

Not sure about your Country, but in the UK, changing tyre size could have insurance implications. Some underwriters may well consider a different tyre size a modification.

[TnTkr]

What I have learned from this forum, UK is about the worst country in the world regarding car insurance and modifications. I know it's much more relaxed in South-Africa.

If you are looking for more comfort and maybe better driveability on unpaved roads, I would consider 185/65 R15 or even 175/70R15. Such a small change in diameter actually improves the accuracy of the speedometer as Honda typically has 2-3 % error in the reading.

[Jazzmeister]

What I have learned from this forum, UK is about the worst country in the world regarding car insurance and modifications. I know it's much more relaxed in South-Africa.

If you are looking for more comfort and maybe better driveability on unpaved roads, I would consider 185/65 R15 or even 175/70R15. Such a small change in diameter actually improves the accuracy of the speedometer as Honda typically has 2-3 % error in the reading.

Thanks, yes I've just about settled on 185/65/15, just a bit of extra plushness and will help with the speedo accuracy. Currently on 185/60/15 which is actually slightly smaller than stock 175/65 which exacerbates the speedo "error". 175/65 is also 25% more expensive for some reason.

[culzean]

What I have learned from this forum, UK is about the worst country in the world regarding car insurance and modifications. I know it's much more relaxed in South-Africa.

In the UK insurance companies lend you an umbrella when the sun is shining but at the first sign of rain they want it back.....

Such a small change in diameter actually improves the accuracy of the speedometer as Honda typically has 2-3 % error in the reading.

That 'inaccuracy is there for a reason,  by law speedometers have to read 'fast' to allow for tyre wear etc and it gives driver a cushion when going through speed traps etc, especially with idiots in UK pushing for zero tolerance on speeds and 31mph in a 30 limit will get you a ticket, the average copper knows that such tight limits are unenforceable ( but their university educated fast tracked woke top brass don't )  because the courts would be clogged with people asking for the calibration certificate for speed equipment and a 'no win no fee' culture would spring up amongst our lawyers who would scent a nice little earner.   

[Jazzmeister]

Looks like I might have to go up to 195/60/15 because it looks like no once can get stock of the 185/65/15 in the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance which I would like to get, just a tiny difference between the 195/60/15 and 185/65/15. 185/65/15 is first prize though with the slightly higher sidewall.

They are running a 4 for the price of 3 special on Goodyear and I have had good experience with Goodyear on my previous vehicle.

[TnTkr]

That 'inaccuracy is there for a reason,  by law speedometers have to read 'fast' to allow for tyre wear etc

Yes, and Honda has pretty good accuracy compared to some other cars, which may have up to 15 % error. But in my opinion a car owner is free to make choice of different tire size as long as the consequences are understood, being it zero error of speedometer or taking a risk with insurances company or with vehicle inspection authorities.

[TnTkr]

Looks like I might have to go up to 195/60/15 because it looks like no once can get stock of the 185/65/15 in the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance which I would like to get, just a tiny difference between the 195/60/15 and 185/65/15. 185/65/15 is first prize though with the slightly higher sidewall.

They are running a 4 for the price of 3 special on Goodyear and I have had good experience with Goddyear on my previous vehicle.

Sounds feasible, although personally I would not go to 195/60R15, as I have experience of increased rolling resistance when having wider tires. I have good experience of Goodyear tires too, Michelins as well.

[Jocko]

Personally I run the narrowist tyres at slightly elevated pressures, for best fuel efficiency.

[culzean]

Personally I run the narrowist tyres at slightly elevated pressures, for best fuel efficiency.

+1 for narrower tyres,   

wider tyres = more rolling resistance and more likely to aquaplane, and worse on snow..

[Westy36]

Over the years I have run cars with tyres as narrow as 125 and wide as 225. Without quesion, the more narrow the tyres are and the taller their sidewall, the better. A better ride quality and much easier to navigate around the appaling UK roads.

With regard to UK insurers, if they do choose to accept different size tyres, they will then want to charge you an admin fee equivelant to the value of a tyre just to note their records!

[coffeecup]

I've just put a set of 185's from 175, that little bit extra width stops the alloys getting curbed. Driving just the same.