Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
notgonepackin@gmail.com

17 inch tires and rims ...a 16 inch alternative

Recommended Posts

I looked at many forum comments but could not find clear answers regarding 16 inch rims on a Fusion Hybrid.

Our 2015 FFH came with Michelin energy saver M & S P225/50 tires on 17 inch rims.

They are good dry-pavement/summer tires but in winter ...not so much!

Les Schwab, a Northwest tire franchise quoted me $213 apiece for studless 17 inch Toyo Observe winter tires ...for a few months of driving, OUCH!

And when you add $60 in spring and again in late fall to switch summer/winter tires to the same rims it really bites!

 

If you have the space a cost saving solution is to buy a second set of rims and avoid paying to switch rubber twice a year. Used basic steel rims typically save money and Schwab does free rotation, switching, balancing, flat repair if you buy from them.

The problem is finding used 17 inch rims; not a common item (yet) and new rims in that size are around $100 each.

 

They did some looking and told me I can get 16 inch rubber with a higher profile resulting in a diameter similar to 17 inch rubber and they had used 16 inch steel rims (only $30 each) so I had them do a test fit. There were some sloppy weld spots inside that dinged the rotors so they tried to grind em down but no luck.

Interestingly, aluminum rims are machined so there are no interior welds. We tried a new 16 inch rim ($98 each) and it fit just fine; Specs: 16 x 7 5-4.5/4.25 multifit (Fusions are 4.25), offset +40.

Prices on rims are close to a wash but the 16 inch tires were $132 each ...a $324 savings.

My drive-off cost with TPMS etc. came to $1236.

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thinking of doing something similar so long as I will have a place to store the winter tires on the rims and just mark their locations and swap em myself. And even if the overall outside diameter is a tad smaller it just means you will be going slower than your speedometer says so not like you will really run into trouble that way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...