Tyre Profile

[alexpye1989]

Morning all,

With the current state of Britain's roads I am looking to soften up the ride on my fiesta ST. Just wondering if when getting my next set of tyres I could change all four for a larger profile. I think at the moment they are 45, which seems quite low, so changing to something higher would perhaps make the ride a little more bearable! Any advice on weather this is wise and how it will affect the ride would be greatly appreciated!

Regards, Alex

[Ozzie Osmond]

A fatter tyre will definitely give you a better ride. Generally cheaper too!

Depending how you got to where you are you might want to get a set of smaller diameter wheels to keep the rolling radius correct. Also your gearing, speedometer etc.

[jon-]

By putting a larger profile on the same width of tyre you will be increasing the rolling radius of the tyre meaning:

- the speedo will be inaccurate
- the geometry might be out
- you may experience rubbing issues

You can use a tool like http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html which will tell you the closest match of sizes to keep the rolling radius the same.

[winshent]

Some tyres might have softer side walls than others, so have a bit more give.

I have just changed from Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3's to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's on my Focus and they feel a bit less harsh..

I'm no tyre expert but i've def noticed the difference.

[balders118]

alexpye1989 said:

Any advice on weather

Pretty cold at the moment, wear a coat.

Edited by balders118 on Monday 10th May 10:39

[alexpye1989]

balders118 said:

alexpye1989 said:

Any advice on weather

Pretty cold at the moment, wear a coat.

Edited by balders118 on Monday 10th May 10:39

HAHA, Sorry for the error I always get those two muddled!

Cheers for the advice too everyone, I'll have to check out the recommended website!

[alexpye1989]

winshent said:

Some tyres might have softer side walls than others, so have a bit more give.

I have just changed from Goodyear Eagle F1 DS3's to Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's on my Focus and they feel a bit less harsh..

I'm no tyre expert but i've def noticed the difference.

I think the main difference I have found in the past with better quality tyres is the noise level on the motorway is greatly reduced

[Silvester21]

I wouldn't change to a higher profile tbh! The 17 inch alloys are big enough on a fiesta hence the low profile tyres..


If you were to change to fiesta zetec S wheels (that are 16") you could have a 50 profile on, but then imo an ST should have ST alloys !

[pringle1988]

Ive known of a few people putting 16 inch wheels on their ST's and have said it also improves the handling of the car aswell as the ride comfort. That way as said above you can keep the rolling radius the same.
Im sure the tyres on my ST were 205/40/17.