What affect will using a 55 tire as opposed to the recommended 60 have on my car?

Question

Have a Subaru Baja. It uses a 225/60/16. If i install a 205/55/16 for winter tires, what will the affect of the lower profile tire be?

Answer 1

Should throw the speedometer off a little. A little quicker acceleration, and a little less top speed. I don't think it will be a big difference either way.

good luck.

Answer 2

It will throw off a few things, depending how sensitive your car is and how it is equipped. The narrower tire combined with a lower profile will effect what your speedometer tells you, and how your traction control / Anti lock brakes function (if equipped). Traditionally, when changing tire sizes, when you decrease the first number, you step up the second size, and vice versa if increasing width. meaning proper conversion from a 225/60/16 would be 205/70/16. The first number moves in 10s while the second moves in 5s. To go up it would be 235/55/16. The second number is a ratio of height to the width. i made this boring

Answer 3

Your tire will be 23 mm smaller. Your car will sit 11mm lower about .4 inches lower. You will gain a little acceleration /torque. Your brakes will be a bib touchier and your car will handle a bit different. The speed will be about 3mph faster than what you are actually going. The added torque will make the tires spin easier while trying to start off. I have done this and it wasn't to bad, but mine were studded too.

Answer 4

your subey will be a little lower about 0.5" and little rough riding. your speed reading will be off too, you travel slower than what the speedometer says. as for the performance of winter tires, better grip in the snow, narrower tires less contact with snow and ice.

Answer 5

tire will be narrower and it will have a smaller profile,
i doubt you'd notice the difference except for a little less grip