Driving experience between new rims 17" and old rims 15" on my 2012 LX

[Tak]

Hi guys,

I just changed the stock steel rims 15" with an alloy rim Drag dr-33 with 215/45/17 on my civic 2012 LX.
After driving a couple of days, here are some driving experience I notice.

1. More responsive? When I press the gas pedal, I feel and notice the car is going faster than I expect???
2. On some curves in the highway, I used to be able to do 40 mph on my old rims. With the new rims, I feel like the car is going faster than 40 mph and I have to slow down on the curve down. Kinda nervous. I feel like my car may slide or roll out off the lane???
3. I feel my civic is lighter now??? With my old rim, when I press the gas pedal, I feel my civic was more heavier???
4. On a highway, it seems like I am able to do 50 mph easily. In the past where it is the same highway, i feel like it's hard to do 50 mph.
5. I notice now the car uses more gas???

Thanks

 

[NoMoreNissans]

Ive also swapped wider tires and 17" rims for the stock ones on my LX

The only thing I noticed was gas mileage dropped slighty, handling around corners is better

Also slightly more stable feeling on the highway

 

[Tak]

Ive also swapped wider tires and 17" rims for the stock ones on my LX

The only thing I noticed was gas mileage dropped slighty, handling around corners is better

Also slightly more stable feeling on the highway

What size of tires and brand you put on?
Mine is 215/45r17 Continental DWS.
Should I get 225/45r17

A comparision between 215/45r17 and 225/45r17

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=195-65r15-215-45r17

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=195-65r15-225-45r17

The tire shop recommends 215 more though and that's why I got 215 instead.

How's the speedo affect?

Thanks,

 

[NoMoreNissans]

My tires are 225/45/17 and the speedo is exactly the same as with OEM sizing

Its a pretty wide tire which is probably why the shop didn't recommend it. No rubbing issues or any other problems to report with this size though. The wide tires also make the car look more aggressive

If the ones you have are working fine I wouldn't bother swapping them until they at least wear down a bit to justify the change

Also, to answer your first post. The reason you're feeling a bit quicker acceleration and more power is cause the aftermarket wheels you bought are likely a bit lighter in weight than the stock wheels. This is the best way to free up what little power the LX engine has. The engine is wasting less torque on spinning your old heavy OEM wheels around

 

[NoMoreNissans]

 

[Tak]

My tires are 225/45/17 and the speedo is exactly the same as with OEM sizing

Its a pretty wide tire which is probably why the shop didn't recommend it. No rubbing issues or any other problems to report with this size though. The wide tires also make the car look more aggressive

If the ones you have are working fine I wouldn't bother swapping them until they at least wear down a bit to justify the change

Also, to answer your first post. The reason you're feeling a bit quicker acceleration and more power is cause the aftermarket wheels you bought are likely a bit lighter in weight than the stock wheels. This is the best way to free up what little power the LX engine has. The engine is wasting less torque on spinning your old heavy OEM wheels around

Thanks NoMoreNissans.

I agree with you.
How about on the curve?
Why do I feel different in cornering?
Should I install sway bar?
Thanks

 

[NoMoreNissans]

I have the Progress 22mm rear sway bar and yes I would recommend it. Should definitely help with your cornering

 

[Twitch]

What is the width of your wheels? That would help with sizing.
You may have issues cornering because your sidewalks are weaker. Also check what pressure your tires should be inflated too. They might need to be a higher than stock pressure. I know when I went from 16" to 18" the pressure went from 32 to 35. You could be under inflated.
I would install a rear sway bar. The stock bar is a coat hanger by comparison. Coming from my stock 2001 the stock 2012 was very wobbly and soft in the handling. It's more comfortable to drive straight just not good at cornering.

 

[Tak]

What is the width of your wheels? That would help with sizing.
You may have issues cornering because your sidewalks are weaker. Also check what pressure your tires should be inflated too. They might need to be a higher than stock pressure. I know when I went from 16" to 18" the pressure went from 32 to 35. You could be under inflated.
I would install a rear sway bar. The stock bar is a coat hanger by comparison. Coming from my stock 2001 the stock 2012 was very wobbly and soft in the handling. It's more comfortable to drive straight just not good at cornering.

Hi,

The rim is 17 x 7.5. The tire is 215/45/17. I only got the new setup for a few days. So I didn't check the tire pressure yet.
NoMoreNissans is also running on 225.

Should I go back to the tire shop and swap it with 225?
Do you think it's okay to swap as request?
Anyone know about the trial warranty?
I only have the new tires for a few days.

 

[Tak]

I have the Progress 22mm rear sway bar and yes I would recommend it. Should definitely help with your cornering

But without the rear sway bar, should I go back to tire shop and swap the 215 with 225?
Is 225 better in cornering due to a slightly larger side wall and wider?

 

[Twitch]

I just realized you said you have the DWS. Mine felt wobbly in the corners for the first few hundred miles. Luckily I drove 500 miles the day after I put them on so the break in was quick. It could just be because they are new.

I have 215/40/18 on a 18 x 7.5 and I think they fit fine. I never thought it needed to be wider.

 

[Tak]

I just realized you said you have the DWS. Mine felt wobbly in the corners for the first few hundred miles. Luckily I drove 500 miles the day after I put them on so the break in was quick. It could just be because they are new.

I have 215/40/18 on a 18 x 7.5 and I think they fit fine. I never thought it needed to be wider.

You may be right though. I got brand new tires only driven less than 100 miles this week.
I like 215 because it's thinner and looks more sexier and cool.
My coworker was like, watch the potholes and hope side walls don't get busted

 

[Twitch]

I have 18's with an even smaller sidewall. I've hit a ton of big *** not holes and never blown a tire.

You never hit pot holes if you can help it though. [emoji6]