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I currently have 235/50r18 all around. I have never touched the road 235/55r17 in my garage.
Can I do this without much change? Should I? Staggered or no? Input is welcome.
You can input the numbers there for the comparison and you'll find that the 17" is .5" shorter sidewall, which will potentially flex more than the 18" in the corners, but the overall dimensions are virtually the same, with the diameter being a mere .1" shorter overall, and causing your speedometer to be *slightly* off, and you won't even know it to be honest.
Aka, run 'em. Won't hurt a thing. No changes needed otherwise.
As far as the staggered, it's going to be a looks thing, but again, that taller sidewall will allow the tires to flex more in a corner, so you'll feel that difference as the tires 'give' a little more before grabbing. Feels like a weird 'wobble'. Cooper Zeon RS3-As on 17" were like that. Compared to the Pirellis, which had less grip overall, there was a noticeable 'hang on, I'll grip in a little bit' moment when you'd start the corner as those Coopers have a little more flex in the sidewall than the Pirellis, but then the car would feel on rails. I tell you that so you understand that a potential with this rim/tire size change, the sidewall flex issue between them, and having the two different sizes may introduce some fun sensations... but overall probably won't affect ya all that much unless you're tracking or something. Drag race, straight line, there'll be no issues whatsoever.
Thanks for the input. I probably should mention that all the tires in this conversation are Goodyear Eagles. I am considering a wheel upgrade and trying to save that $800 expense for new rubber, even though I have new on the back < 5000k miles..Maybe I can salvage that cost, rotate these new 17's in... then I have to upgrade wheels again 50k down the road when the 18's need replacing. Its my garage car so realistically the next tire move is many many years into the future. 17 front 18 rear? Would anyone even notice? I really hate my indecisiveness on this issue. Thanks again!
Everyone would notice and point it out. "You goin' drag racin' or something?" Because drag tires are usually taller sidewalls/smaller rims to get that flex so the tires don't break loose on the hit.
17s in the front would look cooler, ya ask me... but it's your car! You do what you need to do. I get the pain of 18" tire replacement, truly, but... worth it. Maybe look at the Nexen N5000 Plus. I really like it, 'cheap' tire on my size rim (18x9.5, 275/40r18) so maybe it'll be cheaper for you too. Also, look into having the tires delivered and getting someone to just put them on. Walmart charges a 'mere' 25 bucks a tire to put it on, balanced and everything. You could go to TireBuyer.com or such and get them delivered wherever you want, or they'll deliver to a place (Firestones, I understand) if you want it mounted there.
Lotsa options. You're not locked into the Eagles, but then I'm not you, you do you, and that'll do!
maybe a dumb question, but do you have 17" wheels to go with the 17" tires? if not the cost of a pair of new 17" wheels is probably more than the cost of a pair of 18" tires
if you are looking for a deal on tires and wheels, check your local Craig's List and e-Bay for "take-offs" -- they are pretty common and usually less than half price, because people just want to get rid of them after they upgrade
Some 17's rims will fit on the basic GT brake on your 2013. I had an OEM 17x7 ET40 rims fit on my 2014 GT basic for the winter. All I did was grind some of the aluminum material off from the front brake calipers...maybe between 1/32" to 1/8". It didn't take long. A friend of mine has a 2013 GT and it didn't need any grinder on one of the caliper. It depends on how the brake calipers were made. So you might be okay or may need to grind some material off the caliper.
