help pick tires city truck

I bought a 2.4cyl 2001 xtracab 2WD 3-4 years ago and need to buy new tires.

The previous owner had on 215/65R16s.

The OEM size 235/55R16 doesn't seem to have any options avail, so that's out.

I'm in mild-climate Northern California / Bay Area, so no snow/ice, just rain and no off roading. If I could get something lighter / anything to help my 2.4 cyl feel a little more peppy that would be a nice bonus.

should I stick with 215/65R16s?

 

My 2cents

same driving as you

 

100% less than $100 per shoe



Not even a glimmer of rubbing/clearance issues

 

Control Car... Hyundai rims or center caps?

 

The tire calculator will help you compare diameters of various options

Similar truck and driving to you and I love my Michelins from Costco.

While I'm a 2nd Gen it came with 215 75 15 tires. I'm a bit surprised earlier 5 lugs came with 16"

 

Yeah the truck has had a few previous owners, so I don't know when 16" 5 lugs were put on, could have been upgraded when new from the dealer.

The existing 215/65R16s that are on there are pretty close at 4.7% wider, all other specs negligible (except 10% sidewall) to the OEM 205/75R15s, so I'll probably keep the same size I have now, since there's plenty of options avail at that size from different manufacturers.

I don't think I drive enough to see any noticeable mileage gains from stepping down to 15" and the added cost of new wheels.

Overall the truck works great for my minimal needs, but like I said before if I can get it to run a little quicker / lighter that would be great, I definitely don't want to go bigger/wider/heavier, but that is the sort of thing I was hoping to discuss here

 

See if you can find a 75 series in 16" that comes close to the OE diameter with an SL rated.

 

2014 Sonata rims
And(too my surprise)
Center caps cleared the taco’s 5lug grease caps!!!!

 

Snoozer…..
If you’re looking for lil more pep/acceleration
Go lower profile…..like a 55

better acceleration to 50mph +\- but slower once at hwy speeds

 

If you pickup speedometer is set for original 205/75R15 tires then a +1 replacement is 235/60R16. It is a common size, nearly identical in height to 205/75R15, and what I'm running on my 2004 single cab 5 lug Tacoma (Kumho Krugen tires). If you speedometer is calibrated for the current 235/55R16 tires then I would recommend 215/60R16 as a replacement as it is a common tire and nearly identical in height to your current tire.

 

super helpful, thank you!

I looked up the VIN on toyota's website and from their records it looks like it was sold new with 205/75R15s. Is it safe to assume my speedometer is still calibrated for that?

On the other hand, what I have now is 215/65R16 and from the tire calculator it looks like the 235/60R16 matches the height/most of the specs but is 9% wider. Is that a noticeable difference? someone else suggested stepping down to a 55 if I wanted better acceleration, which would be nice.

appreciate you all answering my very beginner questions,

 

Well
I found out about this “smaller tire” thing has more acceleration but less speed on top end First hand

4 friends of mine all had same car similar crap bolt on mods. We would religiously go to Fri nite test and tune nites at local drag track. $15 unlimited 1/4mile runs
One nite Andres showed up with the tiniest/lowest profile new tires
We were making fun of him…..
Until he took all of us to the wood shed by pretty large margin IIRC that drag nite

so on the convoy home
He couldn’t keep up with us

this was 20yr ago…..took me a week to put 2 and 2 together……was the tires

BTW these cars were running 17sec 1/4 times…..by no means fast
just dumb kids trashing our trannys