Replace
- Thread starter daz1com
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Replace
Ok so let me put it another way, I would like more traction and stability cornering in my panda. Does anyone have any good suggestions on how to achieve this. I know a car is made to a standard and stock is the good set up for your car, but I also know you can improve things.
You have several options.
First you need to establish the existing rim size (e.g. 13 by 5 inch). Should be stamped on the rim, or in your owners handbook or look here:
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/fiat/panda/
You can then look here to see the various tyre sizes that can be safely fitted to that rim.
https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/charts/tire-width-for-a-wheel-rim-size-chart
Lets say you can go from a 155 to a 185 tyres width on a 5 inch rim. This is an increase of 30mm which is quite substantial. Now divide 30mm by 2 and we get 15mm.
You now need to get under your car and check that there is more than a 15mm gap between the inside wall of your existing tyres and ALL the suspension parts. e.g. front struts, rear trailing arms and shocks. Also that with the front wheels on full lock the tyres does not rub against the inner side of the wheel arch. Lastly the outside edge/wall of the tyre will clear the outer wheel arch metalwork *including* allowing for suspension compression.
Now for 15mm your index finger will be a good tool for the job.
Lets assume you can go from 155 to 185. That is a two size jump. Generally when you go up a tyre width size you have to drop the tyre profile to restore the rolling radius.
So as an example - a 155/55 R14 would go to a 185/45 R14
This link will show you all the relevant info. For the example I've given speedo error will be 0.7% and your ride height will drop by 2mm.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/
Whilst 30mm increase in width does no sound much the combination of width and lower side wall height will make a significant difference to handling. Also bear in mind that even if a much larger tyre will fit one can over do it and end up with a poorer performance due to lower surface tread loading. This is why rally cars drop to thin tyres of loose, wet and muddy stages and put fatter ones on for dry tarmac stages.
All the above was for a simple keep your rims and up the tyre size job.
If you didn't have the 15mm running clearances then a wheel offset change or spacer (not recommended) would be required. Offset change requires new rims so now you have ability to also change the rims from say a 14 inch diameter to say 16 inch.
Last point is to be careful on how larger you take the rims. Larger rims will require lower profile tyres. If you up the tyre width as well this requires even more profile loss. Going too low risks damaging your rims on bumps/pot holes/etc. and will also ruin the ride and feel of the vehicle.
First you need to establish the existing rim size (e.g. 13 by 5 inch). Should be stamped on the rim, or in your owners handbook or look here:
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/fiat/panda/
You can then look here to see the various tyre sizes that can be safely fitted to that rim.
https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/charts/tire-width-for-a-wheel-rim-size-chart
Lets say you can go from a 155 to a 185 tyres width on a 5 inch rim. This is an increase of 30mm which is quite substantial. Now divide 30mm by 2 and we get 15mm.
You now need to get under your car and check that there is more than a 15mm gap between the inside wall of your existing tyres and ALL the suspension parts. e.g. front struts, rear trailing arms and shocks. Also that with the front wheels on full lock the tyres does not rub against the inner side of the wheel arch. Lastly the outside edge/wall of the tyre will clear the outer wheel arch metalwork *including* allowing for suspension compression.
Now for 15mm your index finger will be a good tool for the job.
Lets assume you can go from 155 to 185. That is a two size jump. Generally when you go up a tyre width size you have to drop the tyre profile to restore the rolling radius.
So as an example - a 155/55 R14 would go to a 185/45 R14
This link will show you all the relevant info. For the example I've given speedo error will be 0.7% and your ride height will drop by 2mm.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/
Whilst 30mm increase in width does no sound much the combination of width and lower side wall height will make a significant difference to handling. Also bear in mind that even if a much larger tyre will fit one can over do it and end up with a poorer performance due to lower surface tread loading. This is why rally cars drop to thin tyres of loose, wet and muddy stages and put fatter ones on for dry tarmac stages.
All the above was for a simple keep your rims and up the tyre size job.
If you didn't have the 15mm running clearances then a wheel offset change or spacer (not recommended) would be required. Offset change requires new rims so now you have ability to also change the rims from say a 14 inch diameter to say 16 inch.
Last point is to be careful on how larger you take the rims. Larger rims will require lower profile tyres. If you up the tyre width as well this requires even more profile loss. Going too low risks damaging your rims on bumps/pot holes/etc. and will also ruin the ride and feel of the vehicle.
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