Wheel size question- 2001 Toyota Sienna CE

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John1

Wheel size question- 2001 Toyota Sienna CE

Unread post by John1 » Wed Dec 15, 2021 3:44 am

2001 Toyota Sienna CE. I decided to change the wheels . .... what would be the ride quality difference if the same size tire would be mounted on 6" wide wheels OR 6.5" wide wheels? .... ( both scenario 15" diameter)

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carriedi
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Re: Wheel size question- 2001 Toyota Sienna CE

Unread post by carriedi » Thu Dec 16, 2021 1:54 am

if the offset of the wheel is the same as the original wheel and only the width of the wheel is changed, your sidewall will be pulled much wader than the original tire. So, instead of the side wall being pretty much straight up and down it will be at an angle. That will lower the height of the vehicle slightly. It will change the stress on the sidewall. The edges of the tread will be pulled by the sidewall and will wear a little bit faster than a tire with a sidewall the stands up straight . You should make sure your alignment hasn't changed from OE. If the offset is the same as the original it should be very close. If the offset id not the same as the original wheels then it may change the camber angle of the suspension. If the offset is more positive (out farther from the center of the vehicle it will usually cause negative camber change) (opposite in negative offset - positive camber change)
Wider wheel on the same tire will be lower (slightly) lower. It should ride a little rougher but you might not feel the difference.
If you are ever in an accident and someone is hurt, even if you are not at fault, you could be held liable if someone says you changed the car away from the original specs. A wider wheel with the same OE tire size will change how the sidewall reacts under stress. When you corner or the vehicle has sideways stress on the side walls, the sidewalls have less flexibility and could break loose more easily. There is a certain amount for flex in the sidewall. A wider wheel will change the flex and be easier to pull the outside edge of the tire. A little too fast of a little bit of gravel on the road and the sidewall could pull the tire and loose traction. The problem may never happen. You may never be involved in an accident. But, just in case cover yourself.
If you are using your old tires it might not be too bad getting them aired up on wider wheels. if you are going to buy new tires and air them up on wider wheels, especially the 6.5's you might have a shop that has special equipment to get the beads to seal top and bottom. It will probably be tough.

what size are the tires you have now? Do you know how wide the wheels you have now are? 205/70R15 , 215/65r15 both can go on 6.5" wide wheels

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