Wanting a little narrower sidewall? Little taller tire? Other than the obvious speedo corrections, it's hard to say. I'll let the Sonata tire experts weigh in on this one. Tire and rim mods are a funny lot. But you've come to the right place.

You'll need to consider braking effects, gas mileage, fender clearances. Stuff like that. These guys on here are pretty good at diagnosing this one. It's a pretty easy solution to figure out.

If it was an Elantra, I could write you a book, almost.

 

Tire Rack is your best friend. Read all the reviews and see video reviews done by tire experts. Took me 2 days of research to get what i wanted. No one tire will do it all so you need to determine what you are willing to give up for what you are looking for.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...chResults.jsp?customSizeSearch=&performance=ALL&width=215/&ratio=55&diameter=17

 

Thanks for the quick responses

And yeah i could use a narrower sidewall for some 17inch wheels.

I might just stick with 16inch then. I dont wanna have to give up anything for a bigger tire. I think the experts at hyundai gave it a 205/65/16 for a reason i suppose. Ill read that link though thanks.

If theres anyone on here that actually got a larger tire for there GLS any input would be awesome

 

Sorry that is not what i meant to say. I meant when choosing any tire size every tire has different characteristics so another words if you get a tire that has amazing braking performance another aspect of the tire like the the handling may be much lower.

So the link it just for you to choose what is most important to you in a tire ...nothing to do with size. sorry if i was confusing.

I dont wanna have to give up anything for a bigger tire.

 

Oh ok i think i got you. Yeah i think that applies to the selection of tires that are avaiable in the 205/65/16 aswell. Each tire is different.

Basically what I wanted to know was, if I found the same tire I currently have (Continental PureContacts) in the 215/55/17 size, meaning bigger, would it be somewhat bad for my hyundai model (2011 GLS Sonata)? Since the recommended size is 205/65/16. The tires are great no doubt.

Or is what you said apply to that as well - that you just have to find the right tire even if its in a bigger size than the recommended.

 

215/55/17 tires will not fit on your stock rims. You would need to purchase 17" wheels to mount the 215/55/17s on.

You could always try a 225/60/16 tire. This would give you a wider footprint with very little impact on overall tire diameter (only 0.15in. taller).

Keep in mind, a wider tire will be less effective in snow and might reduce fuel mileage just a little (more rolling resistance.) My guess is that Hyundai uses the 205/65/16 size for lower rolling resistance and better fuel economy more than anything else.

I stayed with 205/65/16 when I replaced my tires. Just easier overall.

 

ryster is correct. I assumed you knew you can not go to a 17 inch tire unless you have a 17 inch rim. The selection for 16 inch rims is very sparse to say the least but you have the same tires as i do which is the best avail for the oem 16 inch size. If you do get 17 ich rims there are tire size calculators all over the net that will give you the exact oem match in a 17 inch rim version so you wont have any issues like the speedometer and odometer not matching your actual speed.

 

I know u cant put a 17" on a 16" tire lol

 

LM*AO!!!! > I read the post above then your original and thought maybe you didnt know because you did not mention getting rims :w00t:

 

I bought some 17" Limited wheels off of ebay to put on my GLS. I used the stock tire size for the Limited.

Wheel may be an inch bigger, but sidewall of tire is an inch shorter, so no change in speedometer.

 

Let's finish this lol. I am sorry for the confusion. I forgot to take my meds today . The size you chose 215/55/17 is the exact tire hyundai put on the 2011 sonata with 17 inch rims. If you are not going with exact oem rim specs which can be found in like below you may have to use a tire calculator to compensate for the difference.

Hyundai Sonata 2011 - Wheel & Tire Sizes, PCD, Offset and Rims specs - Wheel-size.com

 

thats exactly what i was looking for thank you! and yes i will get rims (6.5x17) that follow those specs listed in the 215/55/17 section.



Ive already installed the 205/65/16 Continental tires so i guess its a little too late.

you guys think I would be able to sell them somewhere and MAYBE lose only $80-90? So $360-$370? They have 200 miles on them. Or am i asking for too much? I paid $520 total, minus like 70 for installation and balance

I really like the look of the narrower sidewall + 17'' wheel and I have 65000miles on my sonata so its not like I'll be driving this another year or anything, so its definitely something thats in the back my head now switching to those 215/55/17

 

You will probably eat a lot more of that due to cost of shipping the tires. post them on here in the for sale forum. There is a ton of people on here that still have the stock 16 inch rims and there is no better tire for the 16's especially if you purchased the speed rated version meaning H rated. Once removed post them nice and clean and with a pic of your receipt. If that fails post on ebay.

 

i'll check it out. I think its $100 alone to ship all 4 so unless I charge $450-500 its not even worth it honestly. I think I'm better off going to local garages around here and getting prices

How much value do you think, in general, does a tire lose if its driven roughly 300-400 miles from an installation date of only 2 weeks ago? i have a receipt

 

Thats the issue...when shops sell used tires it is usually a lower end shop and used tires max price i have ever seen is 50 bucks. They usually have half there thread gone.

You're in CA so you have a large population area like me so i think you best bet is......i hate to even say the words....Craigslist. No shipping and the best part is you have unknown local nuts coming to your house. what could be better than that?

 

i think ill call the shop i bought them from and see if they buy them back at a lower price.

 

Continental has a 60 day trial program. You may be able to return them under that program and exchange them for Continentals in the 215/55/17 size. Might want to check with your tire dealer.

 

ill definitely call them first thing monday

Is this what you're referring to http://www.carid.com/images/continental/info/continental-warranty.pdf

I did buy them brand new and its only been 15 or so days. Do i just tell the shop I got them at I just want a bigger size? That would be a valid reason?

 

@12tony: We "heard" what you meant! :laughing:

And you're correct in sometimes you have to "give to get" where some tires are concerned. All about meeting your needs and your priorities. And, maybe, your Hip National Bank?

 

:nerd: but did i mean what i meant to mean? haha. did you stickey my post in your forum yet? I want a sticky!!!! :crying2:

 

the place I got them from must be a continental dealer i would assume correct? I searched dealers on Continental Tire's website and it didnt list their name.

however the warranty clearly states

" If for any reason, other than an excluded condition
listed under Section 5, you are not satisfied with your new set of four tires
within 30 or 60 days from date of purchase - or the first 2/32nds of an5
inch (whichever comes first) - you may exchange all or any one of them
for a corresponding number of the same tires or purchase another set
of a different type of Continental brand tires. The returned tires will be
removed and the replacement tires mounted and balanced at no cost to
you. If you wish to exchange for another set of Continental brand tires
which is at a higher cost, you must pay the upgrade from the original
purchase price"

Looks like I'm good to go. Do they have the right to turn me down?

 

What is in....other than an excluded condition
listed under Section 5

 

Alright sounds good looks like i got all the information i need.

I found some 17'' wheels by MB Wheels from Americas Tire, so then i shouldnt pay for 4 TPMS kits that they include in the purchase. Just gotta buy them now and take them to the place thats gonna put in the bigger tires.

 

By TPMS kits do you mean the o'rings that seal them or the actual units? If units no. If gaskets or o'rings then yes as they should always be changed when changing rims or tires. Now buy those rims and tires! lol

 

And would the next size up, 225/50/17 affect speedo?

its between 215/55/17 and 225/50/17 both sizes are listed on the spec sheet but only the 215/55/17 are OEM for the GLS

 

Anyone?

edit* Nvm theres quite a difference in speedometer according to a tire calc. Ordering the 215/55/17's

 

I also wanted to know is there any problem (as far as rubbing/ride) with going with 18'' wheels on a GLS? so a 225/45/18 tire? The speedometer difference would be -2.0% How is the ride compared to my current 16''

 

Hi hate to be a downer but 90%
Of tires sold over the counter are speed rated for around 90 mph any speed over 90 could in theory could result in tire core failure. Centrifugal force on the core is the danger. Any tire failure would be a disaster.
Have your tire sales person explain the speed rating for that
Set your looking at. Michelon has high speed tires they are rather pricy. Any car that designed to run on the autobon
In Germany will have 100plus tires. Doug