will 15x7 rims work with factory tires?

You have to find out what tires they are and look up their specs on TireRack or something. There is a spec for maximum width.

 

5"-6" is the recommended wheel width for the 175/65/15 tire. A 7" wide wheel may work with thatsizetire but it would produce an awful stretched look and some tire shops may not install it. IMO find a different wheel or buy a new tire. The c doesn't really need a 7" wide wheel unless you are going for the best handling and don't mind a mpg hit.

 

Even Tire Rack is saying the 175 tire is the recommended tire on a 15x7 rim. I do not know if I believe that either, but I'm having the stock 175 mounted on some 15x6.5 rims as I type and I'll take some pics as to how the tire/wheel looks once I get them back from the shop.

 

Basically, measure the width of the tread on your curren tires. if they are less than 7 inches, you'll be riding on the corner of the sidewalls.


The tires are not designed for that and will wear out quickly. Either get the correct wheels fo your current tires or the correct wheels and tires.

 

FWIW: "Slammed" or "Hellaflush" wheels

 

Tyrestretch.com is the site I use.
Here's a 175/55/15 on a 15x7. Little stretch but nothing offensive. I would just go to a 185 or 195 if possible just to be safe.

 

If you look at the specs on a 175/65/15 tire is reads 5"-6" rim. Try looking up the AVID Ascend or the Ecopia EP422.

 

I'm already looking at the EP422 in 185/60 if the 175s don't work out.

 

175/65/15 = revs/mile 866

185/60/15 = revs/mile 873-880

There is a bit of difference in revs per mile between the two so your speedometer may read even higher than it already does (1-2mph too fast) and your odometer will likely be off but since tires wear down with use these figures are never exact. Just know that you may have an artificially high mpg number as a consequence of shorter tires. At least they are more likely to fit.

 

I've resigned myself over the years to accept tire height difference of a few tenths of an inch and not worry about it anymore. Sure, it will affect mpg calculations, but I'm not that anal that it being off by a few mph or mpgs matters to me now. If it's close and acceptable, I'm happy. I do compensate for any delta by setting the cruise so I know the real speed I'm traveling. I use the speed signs that shoot and displays your speed to calibrate my speedo error after any tire changes.

 

Then you are in good shape. Don't sweat the small stuff right?

 

I sure hope so. Hopefully, what I consider small stuff (175 tire on a 6.5 rim) will not grow to be bigger problems in the future. If they do become problems, you can be sure that I will report back on the forum and admit a mistake.