PLUS 1, 2, ETC.
PLUS ZERO
If you want to leave your wheel diameter the same, you can still change to a wider tire. (Note: You may need a wider wheel as well.) An example is going from a P195/75R14 tire to P215/65R14 tire. What this means is that your tire width will be wider (195 millimetres to 215), your aspect ratio will be smaller (75 to 65) but the wheel diameter stays the same (14 and 14). Why do this? A wider contact patch on the road can mean better grip and handling.
WHAT IS STAGGERING
A staggered fitment is when you put larger wheels on the back of your vehicle than the front. This specification comes from the vehicle’s manufacturer, and is designed to improve performance on vehicles with rear-wheel-drive. A dramatic example of staggering is a drag race car.
VERY IMPORTANT PLUS-SIZING LEGAL:
BFGoodrich Tires does not recommend up-sizing due to safety reasons. If wheel diameter is increased too much, (from 14” to 17”, for example), or if a staggered fitment is used, then your anti-lock brakes, speedometer and stability system may not work properly. Some manufacturers have already tested and approved multiple wheel diameters, so be sure to ask your authorized BFGoodrich Tires dealer on any sizing needs. (To find one close to you, use the Dealer Locator on this web page.)
Frequently asked questions
BFGoodrich answers your most asked questions.
FAQ
Plus-sizing means going up in wheel diameter while reducing the tire's aspect ratio so overall rolling diameter stays close to original. A plus-one from 17-inch to 18-inch wheels gives a shorter sidewall on a larger wheel. Keeping overall diameter within roughly 3 percent of original preserves speedometer accuracy and drivetrain calibration.
Done properly, yes. A shorter stiffer sidewall flexes less under cornering load, which sharpens steering response. A wider tread puts more rubber on the road. The trade-offs are a firmer ride, higher unsprung weight, more road noise, and significantly more vulnerability to wheel damage from potholes.
It carries a real cost here that it does not everywhere. Freeze and thaw cycles produce potholes and broken pavement every spring, and a low profile tire has far less sidewall to absorb those impacts before the wheel takes the hit. Many Canadian drivers plus-size for summer and run a smaller wheel with taller sidewalls for winter.
Very likely. A different tire size at the same pressure carries a different load. The replacement must be inflated to provide the same load capability the original size delivered at the manufacturer's recommended pressure. Do not guess. Have a tire professional calculate the correct figure for your new setup.
Speedometer and odometer error if overall diameter changes too much. Rubbing on the fender, frame, or suspension at full lock or full compression. Insufficient load capacity if the new tire's load index is lower. Compromised ABS and stability control calibration. And a much rougher ride on broken pavement.
Related pages
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5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DEALERS
When it’s time to buy tires, the last thing you want is to feel intimidated. So make sure you do a little homework before you go. (All of which is found within Tires 101, along with an easy-to-use Find a Tire tool at the top of the page.) We’ve even put together five easy questions to take to your local dealer (find a BFGoodrich Tire dealer near you by using the Dealer Locator at the top of the page), but remember that you can always order it instead of settling for another tire.View more -
MIXING TIRES
There may come a time when you replace two new tires instead of four. If you decide to go that route, be sure that your new tires are the same size and tire type as your current tires, and that your dealer always installs the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle (as shown in the pdf below).
DOWNLOAD AND VIEW A GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION (1.1MB)View more -
ALL ABOUT PERFORMANCE TIRES
If your car is high-performance, doesn’t it make sense to have tires that are just as high-performance? The main benefits of performance tires are higher speed* capability, improved handling and maximum dry road grip. (The negative is lower tread life.) But you need to know that all performance tires aren’t the same, which is why many high performance car owners own multiple sets of tires. (They often switch to all-season or winter tires in the fall and winter for improved winter grip.)View more -
SEASONAL TIRES
In Canada the seasonal tire decision is not just about comfort, it is about law in some provinces and about stopping distance everywhere. All-season tires handle moderate conditions but they are not winter tires, and in Quebec they are not legal between December 1 and March 15. Winter tires should go on when temperatures consistently approach 7°C and come off when they are consistently above it.View more -
TIRE WEAR AND DAMAGE
How worn is too worn? There are several ways to check for wear without even getting your hands dirty: You can either look for visible, excessive wear, you can perform the Quarter Test to check proper tread depth, or you can check if the tread is worn down to the wear bar indicators (typically located in the circumferential grooves of the tread).View more