Reducing wheel size + switching to higher profile tires

[Jarpin]

I am considering to swap the stock size 18" rims/rubber on my Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for 16" factory wheels/tires from a pre-facelift Eclipse Cross.

A. If possible and the lug patterns line up, will this make for a more softer ride and reduced long term wear on the shocks?

B. How will this affect the speedometer reading vs actual travelling speed?

 

[Nessism1]

It's the outer OD that's important for speedo calibration, not the wheel size.

Wear on the shocks won't be impacted enough to matter. Ride quality may improve slightly. What tires you select will have more impact than ride than anything, though.

 

[ceecbtg]

Hi,
about A you are right but depend on tyre size and weight
about B depend on tyre size ex: 225/45/16 vs 235/40/18

 

[k1xv]

Make sure smaller wheels will not interfere with brakes.

 

[CapriRacer]

Go to Tire Rack's website, input your vehicle, and select winter tire and wheel.packages. if they don't list the wheel size, you can't make that swap. I tried and it didn't work, but I didn't know what year.

If it does, it will give you the correct tire size.

 

[Professor Gascan]

I've been running a -1 wheel and tire setup on my car for the last 10 years or so and it looks like everyone covered what you should look out for before making the switch.

My main reason for switching was ride comfort and wheel damage protection prevention and I've been satisfied on both fronts, with cheaper tires as an added bonus.

My speedo now reads exactly the speed I'm going according to those roadside radars because the O.D. of the current w/t combo is a bit taller, and unless your new setup is considerably lighter than the old I don't see it making much of a difference to shock and strut life and even then, I don't think you'd be able to really quantify it.

 

[meep]

1. Ride will be smoother. Suspension will be less jittery. Steering will feel less “on rails.” Car will lean a little bit more in aggressive turns. Mpg may ever so slightly increase.

2. As @k1xv mentioned, make sure it clears the brakes

3. Make sure the width and offset are the same or workable. If not, read up and get some pictures online of what that means and sketch it out and make sure that the tire isnt shifting too far inbound or outbound to where it would rub against a shock/spring/a-arm (or get one wheel and test fit it).

4. As a couple have mentioned, find an equivalent diameter tire. The first number can be the same (such as 245 and 245. The last number matches the diameter of the new wheel, so 16. The middle number is the one that youll likely be increasing by 15 or 20 or so to provide a taller sidewall to make up for the smaller wheel while keeping the same diameter.

 

[barkingspider]

I went from stock 16” to 15” wheels on my Pontiac vibe. Went from 55 to 65 series so the Speedo is just about correct. If ride quality improved, it was unnoticeable to me. Tire pressure made more of a difference in comfort. Nessism1, is correct, pick the right tire.

 

[Skippy722]

A 215/70r16 is the tire size you’ll want. Your Speedo will be off ~0.5mph.

 

[CleverUserName]

Nobody mentioned the hub bore of the wheels yet. HB needs to match or spacers/milling of the 16” wheel will be necessary.

 

[97prizm]

I am considering to swap the stock size 18" rims/rubber on my Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for 16" factory wheels/tires from a pre-facelift Eclipse Cross.

A. If possible and the lug patterns line up, will this make for a more softer ride and reduced long term wear on the shocks?

B. How will this affect the speedometer reading vs actual travelling speed?

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View attachment 278445

I'd be looking at your brake rotor size and caliper clearance. I've seen people order smaller rims only to find out they wouldn't clear the calipers. If you look around you might be able to find out what the wheel weights. There may not be much difference.

 

[daniel327]

I did this on my vehicle. I swapped 17in OEM wheels with 215/55R17 tires to 16in wheels with 205/65R16 tires. The new wheel/tire combo has approx. 1/3in larger diameter, which worked to almost correct Toyota's low reading speedo. It also ensured the new 16in spare tire fitted in the spare tire recess in the trunk. Each new wheel/tire combo is also 10lb lighter than the OEM wheel/tire, so the vehicle can accelerate and brake better. The ride is much more comfortable and the handling is slightly worse, but it's not a race car. I haven't noticed any real change in the fuel mileage. Overall it was worth the money and effort.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I am thinking of doing this. My Toyota came with 235/55/19. I know a 225/75/16 will fit - I have one I got as a full size spare. It is 0.1 inches taller diameter. Not sure what I am going to - will depend on the wheels I can find.

When searching for my spare, this site was very helpful. https://tiresize.com/comparison/

 

[ceecbtg]

I did this on my vehicle. I swapped 17in OEM wheels with 215/55R17 tires to 16in wheels with 205/65R16 tires. The new wheel/tire combo has approx. 1/3in larger diameter, which worked to almost correct Toyota's low reading speedo. It also ensured the new 16in spare tire fitted in the spare tire recess in the trunk. Each new wheel/tire combo is also 10lb lighter than the OEM wheel/tire, so the vehicle can accelerate and brake better. The ride is much more comfortable and the handling is slightly worse, but it's not a race car. I haven't noticed any real change in the fuel mileage. Overall it was worth the money and effort.

10lb difference is big! I can feel 6lb in feeling/comfort (barely in acceleratio/consumption), I can imagine as huge would be 10lb!