I will soon be changing the tires on my 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. I live in Ontario, Canada so I want a tire that I can still use in the month or two of snow that we get here. I do not want to buy snow tires and change out each season. The tire size for my hybrid is 185/70R14. I have done some research and from reviews it appears that the Yokohama Avid TRZ is the tire for me. However, it is only made in 185/65R14. The Avid T4 comes in the size that I need but it does not appear to have the wet weather capabilities of the TRZ. Can I use the "bigger" tire on my rim? Would there be any problems?
Civic Hybrid Tires
- Thread starter cb450sc
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185/65R14 is smaller than 185/70R14. You can use it on your current rims, but fuel economy will be negatively impacted as the car will think you're going faster than you really are. The ICE will kick in sooner, and your RPMs will be higher on the highway. Some cars see improved fuel economy with smaller wheels, but that's because less torque is needed to accelerate. Electric motors are pretty torquey by nature, so I don't think that will have as much of an effect with your hybrid.
For winter driving in Ontario, I HIGHLY recommend a dedicated set of snow tires. There is no way you can match the stopping abilities of a properly engineered and heavily siped snow tires with an all-season.
For winter driving in Ontario, I HIGHLY recommend a dedicated set of snow tires. There is no way you can match the stopping abilities of a properly engineered and heavily siped snow tires with an all-season.
I wouldn't change the tire diameter if it were my car. It will rev higher and probably won't look as good.
The BFG Traction T/A are about the same price and come in your size. They're competent in the snow, expecially in the T speed rating where the tread blocks are smaller than the H and V versions:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...yes&place=0
The BFG Traction T/A are about the same price and come in your size. They're competent in the snow, expecially in the T speed rating where the tread blocks are smaller than the H and V versions:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...yes&place=0
You can also check out sizes in a 195-65-14 which is an "accepted" 0+ size if this gives you better options.
FWIW, a 185-65-14 has an approx 5% shorter sidewall height than a 185-70-14 which will give you a slightly smaller diameter.
FWIW, a 185-65-14 has an approx 5% shorter sidewall height than a 185-70-14 which will give you a slightly smaller diameter.
Going from 185/70-14 to 185/65-14 is a 3% decrease in circumference. Your speedometer will read 60 when you are actually going 58.2.
Check out the handy-dandy miata.net tire calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Check out the handy-dandy miata.net tire calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
With a hybrid it should just be about economy. So just look for better tire options and stick with the stock size.
A 195/65/14 would work well.
You could ask Laura or Brad at Honda House what they recommend.
You could ask Laura or Brad at Honda House what they recommend.
GoodYear Regatta 2 are very smooth, long lasting tires
For a tire calculator, I've found the one at 1010tires to be the best. You can compare up to five tires at once, and it will also give you a list of available tires in that size.
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
There may be that much variation in different tire makers tires of that size.
So if you think you'll like the 65 aspect ratio tire, then go with it.
I suspect your fuel economy will drop slightly because the tires you are looking at are probably not as fuel efficient as those that came on the car.
Didn't this car come with a low rolling resistance tire to further maximize fuel economy?
I suspect the fuel economy will drop significantly:
1) The Hybrid probably came with lower RR tires than ordinary OE tires.
2) Tires designed for the replacement market have higher RR values than ordinary OE tires.
3) New tires will have more RR than worn out tires - even if they are otherwise identical.
4) If a smaller diameter tire is used, then more fuel will be used.
On point #4, you may get the illusion of getting better fuel economy measured by the odometer.
Why?
Because if you go with a smaller tire, say you really only travel 95 miles in road distance, but the odometer, calibrated for a larger tire indicates you've gone 100 miles.
You just "got" a 5% fuel economy "improvement" by using these new tires.
The reality is, your fuel economy may have dropped when you look at the real distance traveled and not the odometer.
Why?
Because if you go with a smaller tire, say you really only travel 95 miles in road distance, but the odometer, calibrated for a larger tire indicates you've gone 100 miles.
You just "got" a 5% fuel economy "improvement" by using these new tires.
The reality is, your fuel economy may have dropped when you look at the real distance traveled and not the odometer.
Yes, the HCH came with LRR tires. They would be a great tire all year round if I lived in Texas. They are not very good in rain or snow. Even in windy conditions the car moves around alot. I would gladly sacrifice a few MPG for safer handling in a variety of road conditions.
I think you would be find with either the 185-65-14 or the 195-65-14 tire since it seems fuel economy is secondary to better road manners.
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