Can I swap 215/45s with 225/45s on 2005 Legacy Estate

[ack0]

Just looking at some winter tyres and hoping that I can put the slightly bigger tyre on the same rims.

I know they will be slightly larger rolling diameter by 1.5% and 10mm wider but it looks like there is space.

Rgds

[ScoobieWRX]

Lots of owners do this on their Impreza with no probs. I run 225/45/17's on my WRX and there is plenty of room, no rubbing. You should be fine on a Legacy.

[ack0]

thx

[Aeroresh]

Adds about 7mm to the height of the tyre so gearing will be out a smidge (1.4% speedo under-reading)

[ack0]

Picked them up last night from a PH'er

Wake up and its snowing.......brilliant

Just need to get them bunged on this morning

[RB Will]

Its also worth experimenting slightly with tyre sizes as the standard tyre width is about £30 a tyre more than one size wider or thinner

[ack0]

Well my Contiwintercontacts are all on, actually makes the speedo slightly more accurate and the bad weather is on it's way apparently.
So we will see if they really do make the difference that everyone says.

Thanks for the help

[Watchman]

I went up to 215/50-17 from the original 45 profiles and it's been all positive. Speedo closer to the GPS output, better ride and unstoppable in the snow (Nokian tyres).

And cheaper than the original sized tyres too.

[ack0]

haven't had the snow yet but they do seem grippy on the very cold roads.
Only other difference is a slightly reduced feel of turn-in at a bend, but it's only a Legacy estate so that doesnt really matter

[ScoobieWRX]

That's probably more to do with the fact the rubber on winter tyres is a lot softer than normal road tyres and the sidewalls are definitely softer. Use winter tyres in normal weather and you'll find they wear a lot quicker than normal tyres.

When it gets really cold though you may feel some of that turn in come back as the rubber gets a little bit harder from the cold, additionally a couple of psi more air than you would normally run won't hurt your tyres and will help open up the tread a bit.