[dannyV]

I just scored some 15" sonic wheels with no tires..

I want to put some 205/70's on hoping there will be more ground clearance..

I wonder if the 185/65's i found locally would look too small..

I think i heard 195/65 is the same height as factory 17" wheels..

anyone got any insight?

 

[MikeBCo]

Do you think they will clear the brake calipers?

Narrower tires may give you a little better mileage, but I suspect the taller aspect ratio may cause the reverse.

 

[dannyV]

Do you think they will clear the brake calipers?

Narrower tires may give you a little better mileage, but I suspect the taller aspect ratio may cause the reverse.

I think they will clear from the reading i've been doing online. I think the taller aspect ratio would be better for mileage but behing higher from the ground might allow more wind drag beneath the car.. but i'm willing to try.. even if the mpg is moot i'd still like the car being a little taller.

 

[caronjeff]

Changing the circumference of the tire will create an incorrect speedometer reading and who knows what else in these computer operated vehicles.

 

[Kato659]

Tire Size Comparison

I picked 16 inch winter wheels, 205/60 R16's, increased diameter by 0.8%. No real noticeable difference, and a mild change compared to what you're looking at.


The 195/65's are 2% smaller diameter than the factory ones, apparently.

The computer isn't going to care, but the speedo will be off.

 

[hellsop]

Changing the circumference of the tire will create an incorrect speedometer reading and who knows what else in these computer operated vehicles.

There's few if any laws about odometer accuracy, only that they need to be unaltered or disclosed to be wrong if wrong. SAE has rules about accuracy, but they're unlikely to be an issue: odometers must record within 4% of actual distance traveled. And as far as speedos go, most places don't care and simply stick the driver with the responsibility to not exceed speed limits by whatever means that is managed.

 

[Steverino]

moved to Wheels...

 

[phattyduck]

hoping there will be more ground clearance..

Don't hope. Calculate!

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

-Charlie

 

[dannyV]

Changing the circumference of the tire will create an incorrect speedometer reading and who knows what else in these computer operated vehicles.

I use gps for that

 

[MP81]

They 100% will fit - they use the same brakes as the Gen 2 Volt. I run a set with my winter tires.

205/65R15 is the exact same diameter as the stock 215/50R17, so I run a set of Xi3s in that size.

The wheel/tire combo is 1.5 lbs lighter than the factory wheel and tire, with a 10mm narrower section width, so those likely contribute to offset some of the decrease in efficiency for winter and winter tires.

 

[stevon]

dannyV,

LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) and weight along with tread pattern, tire compound determine mileage in a tire. Rim weight would be a factor too, if you could find magnesium rims that would help. Looking for excellent range as priority, purchased the Michelin Energy Saver MFR part # 16798 91H 20 lbs Different Thread Formula (To make them last longer) They are 1 lb lighter each than the OEM MFR# 11674 91H 21 lbs. But there is a catch, all Michelin Energy Savers suck in rain, performance is meh, they are louder than other tires, a harder ride and they seem to get punctures easier than my truck tires on my Tacoma. I like the increased range but the trade offs, not so much. I live in So CA but If you live anywhere it rains or god forbid snows, these are not the tires for you! Rim/tire weight as opposed to diameter would be my focus as to range/mileage.

Stephen

I just scored some 15" sonic wheels with no tires..

I want to put some 205/70's on hoping there will be more ground clearance..

I wonder if the 185/65's i found locally would look too small..

I think i heard 195/65 is the same height as factory 17" wheels..

anyone got any insight?

 

[DOKbrown]

people spend a lot of time obsessing over horsepower & battery size but wheels/tires are a critical part of any vehicle. I rec just staying with the stocks but where is the fun in that ? my advice is to keep the OEMs if you experience problems. I would also like better ground clearance on this car and am thinking about slightly raising it . . . . . . . . I didn’t think about using the tires to do so

I always thought the i3 was revolutionary but unfortunately only bridgestone made tires for it & that made those skinny tires impossible to find & painfully expensive

 

[ms2000]

I just scored some 15" sonic wheels with no tires..

I want to put some 205/70's on hoping there will be more ground clearance..

I wonder if the 185/65's i found locally would look too small..

I think i heard 195/65 is the same height as factory 17" wheels..

anyone got any insight?

Not recommended
It wheel change the stress on Transmission, drive train etc.
Having a durable, vehicle save you more

 

[CCTalbert]

Ahhhh... what the world needs more than anything... a "Donk" Volt.