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Wheel sizing when downsizing tires in winter (Honda civic Touring)

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16 inch downsizing wheel size
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TZN

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys! I just had a question regarding wheel sizing. My winter tires are 16” 215/55R but I have no idea what the offset and width should be. I wanted to replace my steelies after realizing how much I liked the oem Honda rims in comparison to steelies in the winter.

I appreciate your help,

Thanks!
 
#5 ·
SwiftTone said:
"less narrow" as in wider?
Click to expand...
oh sorry, I meant - more narrow. Narrow tires have more traction in winter compared to wider , so I always go a bit more narrow for winter as compared to the summer spec. But 215 isn't overly wide compared to my Si summer tires, so I would say stick with 215 or slightly more narrow for winter, I run 215's on my Si for winter.
 
#6 ·
TZN said:
Hey guys! I just had a question regarding wheel sizing. My winter tires are 16” 215/55R but I have no idea what the offset and width should be. I wanted to replace my steelies after realizing how much I liked the oem Honda rims in comparison to steelies in the winter.

I appreciate your help,

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The specs for the factory 16's are: 16x7, offset of 45 with a 215/55-16 tire (diameter of 25.3 inches).
17 inch wheels are 17x7 offset 45 with a 215/50-17 tire (diameter 25.5 in)
18 inch wheels are 18x8 offset 50 with a 235/40-18 tire (diameter 25.4 in)
All 11th gen civics except for the Si and Type-R, can downsize to a 15 inch wheel using a 205/65-15 (25.5 in diameter) winter tire on a 15x6 wheel. I personally would recommend a 205/60-16 (diameter 25.7in) on a 16x6.5 wheel for an ideal balance of stability and narrowness for best winter traction. I am currently using a 205/55-17 (diameter 25.9in) on a 17x7 as that is what I had leftover from my 2020 Si. It should be noted that 215/55-16 stock size tires are perfectly adequate for most if not all winter needs when using a high quality winter tire. I only go with narrower sizing because I live in northern New England and the narrow casing width helps with getting the tread through the snow and slush.

If you stay within the parameters for offset and width you should have no handling or fitment issues. Keep your winter conditions in mind when you buy winter tires, some environments don't require a full on studded Nokian but rather a non-studded "friction" tire ie: Blizzak, MIchelin X-Ice, or Hakka R3/R5. nor do they always require a drastic -1, -2, or -3 wheel sizing change. For the most part you will do fine with any winter tire in the stock size.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Bunhyung said:
The specs for the factory 16's are: 16x7, offset of 45 with a 215/55-16 tire (diameter of 25.3 inches).
17 inch wheels are 17x7 offset 45 with a 215/50-17 tire (diameter 25.5 in)
18 inch wheels are 18x8 offset 50 with a 235/40-18 tire (diameter 25.4 in)
All 11th gen civics except for the Si and Type-R, can downsize to a 15 inch wheel using a 205/65-15 (25.5 in diameter) winter tire on a 15x6 wheel. I personally would recommend a 205/60-16 (diameter 25.7in) on a 16x6.5 wheel for an ideal balance of stability and narrowness for best winter traction. I am currently using a 205/55-17 (diameter 25.9in) on a 17x7 as that is what I had leftover from my 2020 Si. It should be noted that 215/55-16 stock size tires are perfectly adequate for most if not all winter needs when using a high quality winter tire. I only go with narrower sizing because I live in northern New England and the narrow casing width helps with getting the tread through the snow and slush.

If you stay within the parameters for offset and width you should have no handling or fitment issues. Keep your winter conditions in mind when you buy winter tires, some environments don't require a full on studded Nokian but rather a non-studded "friction" tire ie: Blizzak, MIchelin X-Ice, or Hakka R3/R5. nor do they always require a drastic -1, -2, or -3 wheel sizing change. For the most part you will do fine with any winter tire in the stock size.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That’s pretty detailed! I unfortunately contacted a supplier for a specific wheel I wanted and they said it wouldn’t fit at 16x6.5 :(. I guess my best bet is just going to a wheel shop to find new wheels while also simultaneously putting on my tires for winter as well lol. At least that way they’ll fit for sure if I’m buying it then to be installed 🤧
 
#8 ·
TZN said:
Thanks! That’s pretty detailed! I unfortunately contacted a supplier for a specific wheel I wanted and they said it wouldn’t fit at 16x6.5 :(. I guess my best bet is just going to a wheel shop to find new wheels while also simultaneously putting on my tires for winter as well lol. At least that way they’ll fit for sure if I’m buying it then to be installed 🤧
Click to expand...
What was their reasoning ? Try the Tire Rack, they have best in industry information and selection. You can search by vehicle and you will only ever get choices that are vehicle specific. They will also drop ship to your installer if you like.
www.tirerack.com
I have been using them since 1989.
 
#9 ·
TZN said:
Thanks! That’s pretty detailed! I unfortunately contacted a supplier for a specific wheel I wanted and they said it wouldn’t fit at 16x6.5 :(. I guess my best bet is just going to a wheel shop to find new wheels while also simultaneously putting on my tires for winter as well lol. At least that way they’ll fit for sure if I’m buying it then to be installed 🤧
Click to expand...
Bunhyung said:
What was their reasoning ? Try the Tire Rack, they have best in industry information and selection. You can search by vehicle and you will only ever get choices that are vehicle specific. They will also drop ship to your installer if you like.
www.tirerack.com
I have been using them since 1989.
Click to expand...
If you are in Canada, Canadian tire has a similar system.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Bunhyung said:
What was their reasoning ? Try the Tire Rack, they have best in industry information and selection. You can search by vehicle and you will only ever get choices that are vehicle specific. They will also drop ship to your installer if you like.
www.tirerack.com
I have been using them since 1989.
Click to expand...
Looks good, I’ll check it out as well. No reason was given, I just emailed “Canada Wheels” with my tire specs and car and they said it wouldn’t fit. They said they messaged the manufacturer. It was the same bolt sizing too, so I’m not sure why. Maybe they are excluding if I don’t use a hub centering ring? The wheels I was looking at was the fast wheels innovation 16x6.5 (45 offset, 5x114.3) and there’s two options with 66.1 hub bore and one with 67.1.
 
#12 ·
Second tire rack. I bought alloys for my 10th gen accord because they didn't have steelies available at the time, and they came with the hub centric rings. I've orderded 4 sets of snows / rims over the years. Only problem I've ever had is they shipped opened ended lug nuts, which are not good for winter environments.
 
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#13 ·
Bunhyung said:
The specs for the factory 16's are: 16x7, offset of 45 with a 215/55-16 tire (diameter of 25.3 inches).
17 inch wheels are 17x7 offset 45 with a 215/50-17 tire (diameter 25.5 in)
18 inch wheels are 18x8 offset 50 with a 235/40-18 tire (diameter 25.4 in)
All 11th gen civics except for the Si and Type-R, can downsize to a 15 inch wheel using a 205/65-15 (25.5 in diameter) winter tire on a 15x6 wheel. I personally would recommend a 205/60-16 (diameter 25.7in) on a 16x6.5 wheel for an ideal balance of stability and narrowness for best winter traction. I am currently using a 205/55-17 (diameter 25.9in) on a 17x7 as that is what I had leftover from my 2020 Si. It should be noted that 215/55-16 stock size tires are perfectly adequate for most if not all winter needs when using a high quality winter tire. I only go with narrower sizing because I live in northern New England and the narrow casing width helps with getting the tread through the snow and slush.

If you stay within the parameters for offset and width you should have no handling or fitment issues. Keep your winter conditions in mind when you buy winter tires, some environments don't require a full on studded Nokian but rather a non-studded "friction" tire ie: Blizzak, MIchelin X-Ice, or Hakka R3/R5. nor do they always require a drastic -1, -2, or -3 wheel sizing change. For the most part you will do fine with any winter tire in the stock size.
Click to expand...
Do you have any pictures of the civic with the 205/55r17s? I’m looking to downsize my 2025 civic hybrid 18s . To many blow outs from potholes
 
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