Do you have 255/50/16 on 94Q

[reliant]

Have 94Q that is lowered. I recently purchased 16x8 BBS RX. Want to run 255/50/16 size tires all around maybe Kumho supra 712. Grant at tire rack said this was un-tested size for front but I think that some of you may have idetical set up. Need actual knowledge on clearence issues. I think that Q45 tech has said this is a good fit but search has not rewarded me with much info. I know that this is a tire issue but their are more first and second generation Q45 owners in this forum.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dan L.

[AZhitman]

Dan - I ran 255/50/16's for a year and a half. Great fit.

I'd say that's the PERFECT tire size for a 90-96 Q.

[reliant]

ThanksWhat tire were you running and what was your experience?

[Q45tech]

With a car as heavy as a Q [1200 pounds unloaded per front tire]. Every extra pound of tire reserve is critical............the 321 pounds reserve at 44-51 psi is not enough as it is exceeded during braking or rapid turning.

The oem tires wore out in 15-17,000 miles before the internal tire damages started to show up and compromised safety. Unfortunately lesser tires with harder compounds last longer, so without xraying the tire every thing looks normal and the only signs are edge wear and feathering from the blocks squirming under load.

The strongest tire should always be on the front since this is where the greatest loads are encountered.

Unfortunately for looks and steering feel [road ruts] they are never designed to fit that way.

Warning all brands are not exactly 255/50/16 some can be 260/50/16.

[reliant]

Thanks for your input q45tech. What tire brand is it that is 260/55/16?I have not noticed one before. Trying to stay as close to actual OEM 26 overal diameter as well. I agree with the excess load capacity required by Q45 which is why I want the 255/50/16 Size. Want to be sure there are no issues with clearance and realize that various brands same size don't equate to exact same measurements. I think that only a few offer the 255/50/16 in Z rating that I am considering.

Falken 512Kuhmo 712Goodyear hp ultra plus

In a 245/50/60 I am interested in

Goodyear eagle F1 gs d3- maybe best choice for money but little Q usersMichelin sport - much cheaper in this size than 255

Any input from users of these specific tires or others similiar appreciated.Thanks

Dan L.

[Q451990]

I think that Q45Tech was saying that tire sizes may vary from they way they're marked, especially between different brands. I tend to look at the "rolling diameter" numbers on the spec sheets at http://www.tirerack.com for a best guess on what the actually diamater will be. I'm running 255/50/16 Michelin Pilot XGTH4s on mine, and they fit fine. My car is stock as far as suspension though.

Heath

[AZhitman]

I had the Falkens and LOVED them.

Let me restate: LOVED THEM.

That's a lot of tire for ANY car, and the extra load rating will be much appreciated.

[PoorManQ45]

Dan - I ran 255/50/16's for a year and a half. Great fit.

I'd say that's the PERFECT tire size for a 90-96 Q.

^I agree with that. With the car lowered ~1in in front and back the gap between the tire and fender looks very nice. Not to much, not to little.

[rsiwicki]

I second the Falkens...I am on my first set of 512's and really like them and the wet traction is no problem and quiet as well. It was difficult for me to find a garage that could get me a set, but I did and they are cheap as well. So far no balancing problems either. I am running with the Eibachs and Tokico Blues as well....I bottomed out for the first time this past weekend with 4 people in the car pulling out of the gas station...the center of something scrapped lightly under the car.

[Q45denver]

I'm running 255/50/16 Michelin Pilot XGTH4s on mine, and have some sight rubbing on the front with Eibachs. Should be fine with stock springs. I will get the 245's next time as the diameter is the same per Tirerack.

[PoorManQ45]

Ok, here's a dumb question. But I'm being serious.

What number on the tire tells you how wide it is? I've read the information at tirerack.com but I still can't figure it out.

[szh]

I tend to look at the "rolling diameter" numbers on the spec sheets at http://www.tirerack.com for a best guess on what the actually diamater will be. I'm running 255/50/16 Michelin Pilot XGTH4s on mine, and they fit fine. My car is stock as far as suspension though.

You guys need to look at my Excel tables that I have posted before. It has info that Tire rack does not (calculation of speedo error, weight of tire in some cases, etc., etc., etc.) Do a search ...

If you want the original Excel spreadsheet (it has a lot of functionality for searching by manufacturer, size, wheel size, etc.), please e-mail and I will send it out.

Z

[szh]

Ok, here's a dumb question. But I'm being serious.

What number on the tire tells you how wide it is? I've read the information at tirerack.com but I still can't figure it out.

The tire rack web site has info on how to read tire sizes ... try this link.

EDIT: Okay, I re-read your question and here is some additional info. There are various "widths" associated with a tire. There is the number on the tire (the width for a given wheel diameter), there is the "section width" and there is the "tread width". Please look at them them separately as they have different effects on tire fitment on a given wheel and a given car and given suspension, etc.

The tire size is what is on the tire. So a 245/45-18 tire has a "245" mm width, with an aspect ratio of "0.45" and a wheel diameter of 18" inches. Somewhat confusing to mix "mm" and "inches", but that is the way it is ...

Z
Modified by szhosain at 12:45 PM 9/17/2004

[szh]

I had the Falkens and LOVED them.

Let me restate: LOVED THEM.

That's a lot of tire for ANY car, and the extra load rating will be much appreciated.

Greg, if you do not mind, I will clarify further: it was the Falken Ziex 512. Definitely a very good tire, albeit second to Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP in my opinion (but the SZ50EP is discontinued, so the point is moot!).

I had 245/45-17 Falken Ziex 512 on 17" rims on my last Q45. Not as high a load rating as your tire size, but still correct for the Q45.

Z
Modified by szhosain at 4:50 PM 9/17/2004

[AZhitman]

Thanks Z.

And for FURTHER clarification, the first # is the section width, second # is the percent of FIRST number that the sidewall is tall), and the third number is, well, if you don't know that one, smack your father in the lip for being a poor parent.

255/50/16:

255mm wide, sidewall height is 50% of 255mm, fits a 16" rim.

PMQ, go buy (or steal) some tires with the proper load rating before you hurt yourself (or someone else).

[PoorManQ45]

PMQ, go buy (or steal) some tires with the proper load rating before you hurt yourself (or someone else).

Can't hurt anyone right now. It's sitting in the driveway, hasn't moved in about a month.

Also, if I'm gonna get new tires for the Q, I have to burn the old ones off. I'll' get someone to take pictures when I do that.

Thanks Z.

255mm wide, sidewall height is 50% of 255mm, fits a 16" rim.

Wow, you're running a 10in wide rim. Just wondering, what is the width of the stock rims?

[szh]

Wow, you're running a 10in wide rim. Just wondering, what is the width of the stock rims?

Uh, no, the tire width information is not the same as the rim width. Greg had 7" wide rims. On which he was using 255mm width tires. He was able to do this because that particular tire size could fit on a 7" rim.

As an aside, using the wrong width of tire (whether it is too wide a tire on a narrow rim, or too narrow a tire on a wide rim) can cause serious problems. The recommended rim width range for any tire should not be ignored!

The most common stock rim on the first gen Q was 15" x 6.5" ...

Z
Modified by szhosain at 4:49 PM 9/17/2004

[szh]

Dan - I ran 255/50/16's for a year and a half. Great fit.

I'd say that's the PERFECT tire size for a 90-96 Q.

Yes, as long as the rim width is at least within the recommended rim width range for that particular brand of tire under consideration! EDIT: removed my faulty memory information on Greg's rim width.

Z
Modified by szhosain at 4:48 PM 9/17/2004

[szh]

I tend to look at the "rolling diameter" numbers on the spec sheets at http://www.tirerack.com for a best guess on what the actually diamater will be.

Yes! Along with the "revolutions per mile" number that is available, which helps estimate speedo error.

Z

[maxnix]

Yes, as long as the rim width is at least 8" or, better yet, within the recommended rim width range for that particular brand of tire under consideration! I seem to recall you had 16" x 8" rims, right?

Z

The 20 slot FY33 standard rims (that Greg used at the time) are 16"x7".

Running 245/50-16 SZ50 EP on my wife's FY33 with those rims now, and really like them.

[szh]

The 20 slot FY33 standard rims (that Greg used at the time) are 16"x7".

Ah, that is right! I had indeed forgotten. I do remember that this was the lower limit for the size that Greg had ... thanks for the correction!

Running 245/50-16 SZ50 EP on my wife's FY33 with those rims now, and really like them.

The SZ50EP was the best tire that I have ever used in 30 years of driving! Rest In Peace, SZ50EP.
Modified by szhosain at 5:02 PM 9/17/2004