Can I Put a 17 Inch Tire on 18 Inch Rim? You can put a 17 inch tire on an 18 inch rim, but it is not recommended. The reason being is that the overall diameter of the tire will be smaller than what the vehicle was designed for. This can lead to issues such as decreased fuel economy and handling problems.
- Inflate the tire to its maximum psi rating using a air compressor
- Place the tire on the ground and position the rim so that it is centered on top of the tire
- Beginning at one end of the tire, work your way around, slowly and evenly tightening each lug nut until all are tight
- Check that each lug nut is tightened to the same torque specification
- Lower the vehicle from its jack stands and test drive to ensure proper installation and fitment before taking it on long trips or highways
What is the Difference between a 17 Inch Tire And an 18 Inch Tire
The most noticeable difference between a 17 inch tire and an 18 inch tire is the size. The diameter of a 17 inch tire is about 26.7 inches while the diameter of an 18 inch tire is about 27.8 inches. That means that the 18 inch tire is about 1.1 inches larger in diameter than the 17 inch tire.
The circumference of a 17 inch tire is about 83.6 inches while the circumference of an 18 inch tire is about 87.1 inches. That means that the 18 inch tires are 3.5 inches longer in circumference than the 17inch tires. A17” wheel will have less contact patch area than an18” wheel because it has a smaller tread width and sidewall height both of which contribute to contact patch area.
. All else being equal, a smaller contact patch will have less traction than a larger one (up to the point where there’s so little rubber on pavement that there might as well be none). In theory, you could make up for this by running lower pressures on the17” wheels which would increase their footprint and therefore traction but you can only go so low before risking pinch flats.
Why Would I Want to Put a 17 Inch Tire on an 18 Inch Rim
There are a few reasons that you might want to put a 17 inch tire on an 18 inch rim. Maybe you found a great deal on 17 inch tires and you want to save some money. Or maybe you’re looking for a specific type of tire that’s only available in 17 inch size.
Whatever the reason, it’s definitely possible to put a 17 inch tire on an 18 inch rim – as long as the width of the tire is appropriate for the width of the rim.
One thing to keep in mind is that putting a smaller tire on a larger rim can affect your speedometer readings. Since the circumference of the tire is smaller, it will take less distance to travel one revolution.
This means that your speedometer will read higher than your actual speed. Just something to keep in mind if you’re planning on using your car for highway driving!
Overall, there’s no harm in putting a 17 inch tire on an 18 inch rim.
As long as the width of the tire is compatible with the width of the rim, you should be good to go!
Conclusion
If you’re wondering whether you can put a 17 inch tire on an 18 inch rim, the answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that the overall diameter of the tire will be larger, which could cause clearance issues with your suspension or bodywork. Secondly, the sidewall of the tire will be taller, which could affect handling and braking.
And finally, the width of the tire may not match up perfectly with the width of the rim, so you may need to experiment a bit to find the right combination.
