Review by Todd Starr pending
Plus sizing means fitting a bigger wheel with a lower-profile tire, so the wheel and tire together stay about as tall as the factory tire. The car keeps its ride height, gearing and speedometer reading.
Plus sizing wire wheels: working out overall height
Overall height is the rim diameter plus two sidewalls. A 205/75R14 tire has a sidewall of 205 mm × 75% = 153.75 mm, so it stands 14″ + 2 × 153.75 mm ≈ 26.1″ tall.
Example: a 1985 Cadillac DeVille
The factory tire is 205/75R14, about 26.1″ tall. Real tire sizes that stay close:
- 15″ wheel: 235/60R15, 26.1″ (0.0%)
- 17″ wheel: 235/50R17, 26.3″ (+0.6%)
- 18″ wheel: 225/45R18, 26.0″ (−0.5%)
- 20″ wheel: 225/35R20, 26.2″ (+0.4%)
Why 3%?
A taller or shorter tire changes how far the car goes per turn of the wheel. Within about 3% the speedometer, ABS and transmission still read close to right. At +2%, when the dash says 60 mph you are really doing about 61.2.
Going smaller
Lowriders often go the other way, down to 13″ or 14″. A smaller wheel needs a taller sidewall to keep the height, and the brakes must clear the smaller rim. Call us to check brake clearance.
Run the numbers for your own car in the Fitment & Plus-Size Guide: it lists real tire sizes for every Player wheel size from 13″ to 26″.
Questions about your car?
Talk to Todd, Ron or Greg about fitment, stock and pricing. Mon–Fri 9–5, Sat 8–1.