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What 16in Wheels and Snow Tires for 08 T&C LTD ?

12 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM

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#1 of 12 What 16in Wheels and Snow Tires for 08 T&C LTD ? by 356

Dec 29, 2009 (1:50 pm)

I need extra 16in steel wheels and snow tires on my LTD to go up a hill. 17in wheels and performance (why) snows (!) are very expensive. Tire Rack sells a 16in pkg with 09 Dodge Journey wheels and 225/70-16 Firestone Winterforce for $736 +$200 ship to MA. The bolt pattern is the same at 5 x 123mm. Is the offset the same and the fit the same ? They do not sell 16in steel wheels for 08 and 09 T&C. Maybe I should buy used 16in wheels and make my own pkg? Will the 4 low pressure warnings show w.o. sensors? Thanks

#2 of 12 Re: What 16in Wheels and Snow Tires for 08 T&C LTD ? [356] by xwesx

Dec 29, 2009 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: 356 (Dec 29, 2009 1:50 pm)
Tire rack does not show 16" wheels for the vans because that is not a "standard" rim size offered by the factory. As long as they clear the brakes (which they should), there is no reason why you cannot put a 16" wheel on there. You will save substantial money by going with smaller rims; I am not sure why we get charged more for less rubber, but they sure to like hitting those who opt for large rims! If you do not put the TPMS sensors in the 16" rims, the warning light will illuminate, but it is no big deal. I do this with my '10 Forester and have no problems (just remember to check your tire pressure from time to time!).
 
The Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, and Michelin X-Ice2 all offer outstanding winter traction. I have a set of the UGI on my Forester, and other than a bit of a harrowing moment a couple days ago when I was taking a 50 mph corner at 65 between a sedan on the right and a tractor-trailer on the left (coming the other way) while driving on slush (oops), the roads have not even felt slick with those tires: They are incredible.

#3 of 12 Re: What 16in Wheels and Snow Tires for 08 T&C LTD ? [xwesx] by 356

Dec 29, 2009 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 29, 2009 1:58 pm)
Thank You for the info . What size tires do you use ? The Turanza 225/65-17 diameter is 28.5in on my LTD and the Winterforce 225/70-16 is 28.4 in which is fine.

#4 of 12 Re: What 16in Wheels and Snow Tires for 08 T&C LTD ? [356] by xwesx

Jan 04, 2010 (11:23 am)

Replying to: 356 (Dec 29, 2009 2:17 pm)
I do not have winter tires on my DGC, but it has 15" wheels (1998) and, I think, uses P215/70R15. For that year, I believe that 15" steel wheels and 16" alloy wheels were standard. There are tire size calculators available that should help with the conversion; 2% is the generally accepted tolerance range for speedometer/odometer variance. As long as the rims clear the brake calipers and the tires are not too wide for the wheel wells & strut towers, you should be fine. Normally, a tire 10 mm larger or less will fit with no problem. So, if the stock tire is a 225, you can likely go with any tire size <=235, with the appropriate ratio to keep the diameter compatible with the speedometer tolerance, and be fine. On my Forester, the UGI's are 215/65R16 (mounted on a steel wheel), with the stock tires being 225/55R17 (mounted on an alloy).

#5 of 12 T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 by timbodey

Apr 26, 2010 (7:02 pm)

Am wanting to go to a 17in. wheel from stock size 16in. mfg. sticker reads 215/65 x 16 for this "99 Limited AWD. I tried a 16in. Jeep wheel , it has the same bolt pattern . I want to install Chrysler product alloy wheels . I like some of the wheels that are on the Dodge pick-ups. What wheels will work on the Town & Country ?

#6 of 12 Re: T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 [timbodey] by srs_49

Apr 27, 2010 (4:06 am)

Replying to: timbodey (Apr 26, 2010 7:02 pm)
I don't have a specific answer for you, but just because the bolt hole pattern matches doesn't mean you should use that wheel on your van. An important parameter is the wheel offset, which is basically the difference between the center line of the wheel and the wheel bearing assembly. A wheel with the wrong offset could cause premature bearing wear and or failure, and also stresses other parts of the suspension.

#7 of 12 Re: T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 [srs_49] by timbodey

Apr 27, 2010 (10:02 pm)

Replying to: srs_49 (Apr 27, 2010 4:06 am)
Thanks so much for the scoop on offsets, stresses and such. I'm a bit lacking in my research skills. I assumed I could get an answer from the parts man at the dealership. Did I ever feel like an ass. the guy didn't want to tell me anything unless I had a V I N number, and even then he said he couldn't be sure. In a nut shell I want 17" wheels to increase gas mileage. This has to be true, ? would go with 215/ 65 /17 vs. original 215/65/16. If this is too troublesome of a venture I may drop it and go with 215/70/16. Of course the speedometer would need to be recalibrated if I would even do that. I can get the rim offset factor but man that sure does seemtrue. A bit intense for my over simple brain but none the less true. I'm just a bit mind boggled and wondering if my best bet is to stay with original wheels and cheat by going up to a 70 instead of a 65 and if that is even opening a can of worms , worse. Who would be a knowledgeable person to ask on this question. The Chrysler parts man did not know and he didn't know if the bolt patern for a '2010 with 17" wheels was the same as a '99 with 16" wheels. thanks everyone

#8 of 12 Re: T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 [timbodey] by capriracer

Apr 28, 2010 (2:54 am)

Replying to: timbodey (Apr 27, 2010 10:02 pm)
If you want better fuel economy, going from 16" to 17' is going the wrong direction.
 
But properly done a move as you suggested will not result in any speedometer error.
 
I suggest you go to Tire Rack's or Discount Tire's we site and do your reserach there. Those folks have measured the clearances and know what fits - and what doesn't. The folks at vehicle dealerships will not. They deal with replacing stock parts and can help you find the proper stock part for your car, but won't be able to help you with modifications. After all, they deal with tens of thousands of parts - by part number - for the vehicles their dealership sells - not the one-off modifed vehicle. You'll have to figure that part out yourself.

#9 of 12 Re: T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 [timbodey] by xwesx

Apr 28, 2010 (11:07 am)

Replying to: timbodey (Apr 27, 2010 10:02 pm)
I need a little more clarification of your goal.... you want to increase fuel economy by doing what, increasing the circumference of the tire? In other words, you're thinking that with fewer revolutions per mile the engine will be running at slightly lower RPM and therefore use less fuel? If so, I'm not sure your results are going to net you gain, especially if it involves purchasing separate rims (and tires) and recalibrating your speedometer.
 
More effective may be to reduce rolling resistance of the tire by reducing the friction with the road. You can do this by going with a skinnier tire (say a 205 vs. a 215) or increasing the pressure in the tire.
 
The '99, as with all similar and more recent model years uses a 5x114.3 bolt pattern with a 71.5 mm center bore. For alloy rims, an offset of 40mm is, I believe, stock. The last I looked, Tire rack showed compatible rims with offsets of 35-40mm, but I never ended up putting alloys on my van and have stock steel rims (15") on it.
 
If the stock tire size is 215/65/R16, a smaller tire of 205/70/R16 will keep your calibration within 1.1%, a larger size of 215/70/R16 will put it off by 3%. If you go with 215/65/R17, you will be off by 3.6% and will likely increase your rolling mass because the rims are typically the heaviest part of the wheel/tire equation (which means more effort to get it moving and more stress on the suspension). But, that is the largest tire amongst these mentioned and it is only 1" larger in diameter than the stock tire, so any of them are going to physically fit on the van.
 
To summarize:
 
215/65/R16 rotations/mile: 747 calibration 100% speedometer reading at 60mph: 60
215/65/R17 rotations/mile: 720 calibration 96.4% speedometer reading at 60mph: 57.86
215/70/R16 rotations/mile: 724 calibration 97.0% speedometer reading at 60mph: 58.18
205/70/R16 rotations/mile: 739 calibration 98.9% speedometer reading at 60mph: 59.35
 
Now, if you want to go with a 17" rim for the sake of it, a 215/60/R17 tire is an excellent match, at 99.4% calibration.

#10 of 12 Re: T & C "99 16 inch wheel to 17 [xwesx] by timbodey

Apr 29, 2010 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Apr 28, 2010 11:07 am)
capriracer, xwesx ; thanks so much for your input. Am still unclear on a couple things. 1) what is the mass issue ? Is it the volume, (total area , size of the wheel ) , is it the weight of the wheel ? If stock size is 215/65 / 16 can 205/65 or 70/ 16 be safe ? I notice many SUV s have 17" or 18" wheels and 235/65 so I was wondering how much dammage can occur by going up one rim size 1" Seems like so many vehicles have such oversize tires that have been added after market. Your explanation of what I'm trying to accomplish is right on. But how is it that a larger rim size, with fewer rotations of the wheel does not improve gas mileage.? Is it as so say there is more mass which means ??? Of course there is the stress on other componets ...transmission, suspension,... and all this taken into account can amount to big trouble tha t is just not worth the bother and bottom line simply will not provide better gas mileage. thanks

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