Changing tire size in Toyota Highlander is possible but requires careful consideration. The Highlander comes with specific factory tire sizes that are optimized for performance, fuel economy, and safety. Installing a different tire size affects all these factors.
Changing Tire Size in Toyota Highlander
Below are some key things to know about changing tire size in Toyota Highlander:
Vehicle Clearances
Larger tires may rub against suspension components, body panels or brakes. Verify adequate clearance if upsizing tire diameter.
Speedometer Accuracy
Larger tires will cause speedometer to read lower than actual speed. This could lead to speeding tickets.
Gearing and Acceleration
Larger tires effectively lower gearing, reducing acceleration. Smaller tires increase gearing and acceleration.
Fuel Economy
Larger tires increase rolling resistance which reduces fuel economy. Estimate 1-3% decrease per 1″ increase in diameter.
Ride Comfort and Noise
Smaller tires tend to follow road imperfections more, reducing ride comfort. Larger tires run quieter.
Handling and Braking
Larger tires can reduce responsiveness and increase braking distances. Consider upgraded brakes if significantly increasing diameter.
With proper precautions, you can change your Highlander’s tires to balance these factors to match your priorities. Continue reading for more detailed guidance.
What are the Stock Tire Sizes for Each Highlander Model?
The Toyota Highlander comes equipped with different factory tire sizes depending on the model year and trim level. Here are the OE tire sizes:
2013-2019 Highlander
| Model | Tire Size |
|---|---|
| LE, XLE | P245/60R18 105H |
| Limited | P245/55R19 105H |
| Platinum | P245/50R20 102V |
2020-2023 Highlander
| Model | Tire Size |
|---|---|
| L, LE, XLE | P245/60R18 105H |
| XSE, Limited | P245/50R20 102V |
| Platinum | P245/45R21 100V |
As you can see, most models came equipped with 18″ or 19″ wheels, with higher trims getting 20″ or 21″ options. Make sure to note your vehicle’s original tire size when considering a change.
What Are the Key Factors When Changing Tire Size?
Several important factors must be evaluated when changing tire size on your Highlander:
Vehicle Clearance
The first check is ensuring adequate clearance with the new tire size. Larger diameter tires or wider tires can rub against suspension components, body panels, or brakes. Ensure at least 10-12mm of clearance.
Speedometer Calibration
Larger tires will cause your speedometer to read lower than your actual speed, which can lead to speeding tickets. Install a speedometer recalibrator to correct this.
Acceleration and Gearing
Larger tires effectively lower your differential gearing, reducing acceleration. Smaller tires increase gearing and acceleration. Consider your priorities.
Fuel Economy
Increasing tire diameter typically reduces fuel economy by 1-3% per inch increased. This is due to increased rolling resistance.
Ride Comfort and Noise
Smaller tires tend to follow road imperfections more, reducing ride comfort. Larger tires run quieter and absorb more shock.
Handling and Braking
Larger tires can reduce responsiveness and increase braking distances. Upgraded brakes may be needed if significantly increasing diameter.
Carefully evaluating how the new tire size will affect these factors is crucial before making a change. Prioritize the factors most important to you.
What Are the Options for New Tire Sizes?
You have a range of options when changing tire sizes on a Highlander. Here are some popular choices owners make:
Upsizing for Style or Capability
Many owners opt for upsizing to 20″ or 22″ wheels for added style, ride height, or light off-road capability. Some options include:
- 245/50R20 – Nearly stock diameter, added width
- 265/50R20 – 1.4″ larger diameter, aggressive look
- 265/60R20 – 2.2″ larger diameter, modest lift
- 275/55R20 – 1.8″ larger diameter, comfortable ride
Downsizing for Fuel Economy
Some downsize to increase fuel economy, such as:
- 235/65R17 – 1.1″ smaller diameter, 5% MPG gain (est)
- 225/65R17 – 1.7″ smaller diameter, 7% MPG gain (est)
Adds tire sidewall, absorbs bumps better.
Winter Tires
Using narrower winter tires can enhance snow traction. Options include:
- 225/60R18 – 0.8″ smaller diameter
- 235/55R19 – 0.6″ smaller diameter
Towing Upgrades
Larger 10-ply E-range tires improve towing capability and load capacity. For example:
- LT245/75R17 – 1.2″ larger diameter, heavy duty rating
- LT265/70R18 – 1.7″ larger diameter, max towing capability
Consider goals and make an informed choice on new tire size.
Will Changing Tire Size Affect Ride Height?
Installing larger or smaller diameter tires can alter your Highlander’s ride height. Here’s how:
Larger Tires Increase Ride Height
- Upgrading from the stock 245/60R18 (28.7″) to 265/60R20 (30.9″) increases overall diameter 2.2″, lifting the vehicle 0.9″.
- This gives a modest 1.5″ lift effect, adding some ground clearance.
Smaller Tires Reduce Ride Height
- Downsizing from the OE 245/60R18 to 225/65R17 (27.8″) lowers overall diameter 0.9”, dropping ride height 0.4”.
- This slightly lower center of gravity can improve handling.
The difference is more pronounced with a 2″ or larger diameter change. Note that suspension modifications may be needed to align larger tires properly.
Installing wider tires (e.g. 245 to 275) has minimal effect on ride height. Overall, plus-sizing by 2″ or more gives a modest lift, while minus-sizing provides a lower stance.
How Does Tire Size Affect Speedometer Accuracy?
Changing your Highlander’s tire diameter will cause the speedometer to read incorrectly unless recalibrated. Here’s how to estimate the effect:
Larger Tires Cause Speedo to Read Low
- Example: Upsize from 245/60R18 (28.7”) to 265/60R20 (30.9”)
- New tires are 2.2″ (7.5%) larger diameter
- At 60 mph indicated, actual speed is ~64.5 mph
- Speedometer reads 4.5 mph (~7.5%) too low
Smaller Tires Cause Speedo to Read High
- Downsize from 245/60R18 to 225/65R17 (27.8”)
- New tires are 0.9” (3.1%) smaller diameter
- At 60 mph indicated, actual speed is ~58.2 mph
- Speedometer reads 1.8 mph (~3.1%) too high
- To fix this inaccuracy, install a speedometer recalibrator
Without recalibrating, the speedometer error gets worse at higher speeds. Fix this to avoid tickets.
Do I Need New Wheels When Changing Tire Size?
Whether you require new wheels when changing tire size on your Highlander depends on a few factors:
Wheel Diameter Needs to Match Tire Sidewall Aspect Ratio
- Example: An 18″ wheel fits 245/60R18 tires. The 60 aspect means sidewall is 60% as tall as section width.
- Fitting 20″ tires like 265/50R20 requires matching 20″ wheels.
- Wheels too small for sidewall height risk unsafe handling and blowouts.
Wheel Width Should Match Tire Section Width
- Wheels need to be wide enough to properly seat the tire’s tread width.
- Too narrow pinches tires, reducing grip and accelerating wear.
- Too wide spreads tread past rim edge, also impacting handling.
- Wheel width should be within 0.5” of tire section width for best fit.
Wheel Bolt Pattern Must Allow Proper Mounting
- Toyota uses 5×114.3 and 5×127 bolt patterns, depending on model.
- New wheels must match the correct bolt pattern to mount securely.
In most cases, a proper tire and wheel upgrade requires new wheels matched to the new tire specifications.
What Are the Best Tire Sizes for a 2″ Lift?
Installing a 2″ lift kit on your Highlander opens up more tire size options. Here are some good choices:
265/65R18
- Adds 1.6″ diameter over stock 245/60R18
- Provides extra off-road clearance without major lift effect
265/60R20
- Upsizes to 20″ wheel nicely complements lift
- Adds 2.2″ over stock for improved capability
275/55R20
- Maintains close to stock diameter (only 1″ higher)
- Increased width is great for traction and stability
275/70R18
- Adds 2.2″ over stock with substantial profile
- Excellent rock crawling and rugged terrain performance
Consider your priorities – a modest diameter increase improves clearance while minimizing effect on acceleration and handling. More aggressive sizes transform performance and aesthetics.
Will Wider Tires Improve Traction and Handling?
Installing wider tires on your Highlander can potentially improve traction, cornering grip, and handling:
Added Traction
- Wider tires increase the tread contacting the road, allowing more force transfer.
- This enhances straight line traction for acceleration and braking grip.
Cornering Ability
- Increased width (e.g. 245mm to 265mm) provides a larger, flatter tread contact patch.
- More rubber on the road means higher potential cornering forces before sliding.
- Reduces risk of rollover by resisting lateral sliding.
Enhanced Handling
- Wider tires have higher lateral stiffness, reducing sidewall flexing.
- Quicker turn-in response and less body roll for flatter, more controlled handling.
- But ride comfort may decrease with harsher impacts over bumps.
In general, a moderate increase in width like 10-20mm will provide subtle but noticeable improvements in traction and handling for responsive driving.
Will Smaller Tires Improve Fuel Economy?
Decreasing your Highlander’s tire diameter can potentially increase fuel economy, with a few caveats:
Reduced Frontal Area
- Narrower tires present less frontal area causing less aerodynamic drag.
- For example, dropping section width from 245mm to 225mm saves around 2-3% MPG.
Lower Rolling Resistance
- Shorter tire sidewalls flex less, reducing energy loss while rolling.
- Reducing diameter by 10-15% can save 3-5% fuel economy.
Increased Drivetrain Load
- Smaller tires provide higher gearing, making engine and transmission work harder.
- This can offset some fuel economy gains, especially under acceleration.
Ride Comfort and Noise
- Smaller tires transmit more road noise and vibration into cabin.
- Loss of cushioning from sidewalls decreases ride comfort.
The potential fuel economy benefits must be weighed against drawbacks in noise, comfort, and performance. Downsize within reason to maximize MPG gains.
How Does Tire Size Affect Acceleration and Top Speed?
Changing tire size on your Highlander directly impacts acceleration and top speed by altering gearing:
Larger Tires Reduce Acceleration
- Taller tires effectively lower differential gearing ratio.
- More driveshaft revolutions required per mile traveled.
- Torque converted to acceleration is reduced, hurting 0-60 times.
Smaller Tires Increase Acceleration
- Shorter diameter tires raise effective gearing.
- Each driveshaft rev produces more miles traveled.
- More torque converted to acceleration for quicker 0-60.
Top Speed Changes
- Higher gearing (smaller tires) allow higher top speed in each gear.
- But increased drivetrain RPM results in earlier upshifts.
- Overall top speed impact is generally negligible either way.
While acceleration is noticeably affected, top speed remains relatively unchanged. Tire size mods should factor desired acceleration performance.
Do Upgraded Tires Improve Towing Capacity?
Upgrading to heavy duty 10-ply tires specially designed for towing can enhance your Highlander’s max trailer weight capacity:
Increased Load Rating
- Light truck E-range tires have higher weight and pressure limits.
- For example, upgrading from a 104T passenger tire to 110T truck tire.
Improved Durability
- Additional sidewall plies resist damage from heavy loads and towing stress.
- More resistant to sidewall punctures, impacts, and heat buildup.
Enhanced Stability
- Stiffer sidewalls minimize swaying motions from large trailers.
- Extra load capacity provides more control authority over the added weight.
- Wider tread helps resist rollovers under gusting crosswinds.
For max towing ability, consider 10-ply E-range tires in an upgraded size like 265/70R18. But accelerator slower and sacrifice some ride comfort.
What Are the Best Tires for Snow and Winter Driving?
Here are top tire options for improving snow and winter traction in your Highlander:
Narrower Tires
- Decreasing tire width allows cutting through snow down to pavement.
- Narrow tread with tight siping, such as 235/60R18, enhances grip on packed snow.
Additional Sipes
- More siping slices across the tread optimizes “biting” edges for snow traction.
- Unidirectional tires with higher sipe density provide maximum snow performance.
Softer Winter Rubber
- Compound engineered for pliability in freezing temps maintains grip.
- Stays soft below 7°C when regular all-seasons become rigid and slippery.
Winter tires typically sacrifice longevity, noise, and dry handing for maximum cold weather and snow traction.
Will New Tires Improve Ride Comfort?
Upgrading to tires designed for a smoother, quieter ride can significantly improve your Highlander’s ride comfort and interior acoustic levels. Consider these enhancements:
Cushioning Sidewalls
- Taller tire sidewalls provide more air volume to absorb harsh impacts.
- Flexible sidewalls isolate cabin from bumps better than low profile tires.
Noise Suppression
- Use touring tires with specialized sound absorbing foam or barriers.
- Helps contain noise within tire that regular treads transmit.
Vibration Damping
- Some premium tires use advanced compounds and liners to damp vibration.
- Tuned to “absorb” certain road frequencies caused by pavement irregularities.
- Significantly reduces road noise and harshness transmitted into body.
While some handling precision is compromised, the right high quality tires transform rough, loud driving into a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride.
What Are the Best Tires for Performance and Handling?
Here are top tire choices for optimizing handling and performance in your Highlander:
Ultra High Performance
- Low profile sidewalls, stiff beads, and rigid tread compound.
- Provides immediacy and high lateral G-forces but rougher ride.
Large Diameter Wheels
- Minimizing sidewall flex with 20″ or 22″ wheels sharpens turn-in response.
- But can sacrifice comfort and require chassis upgrades.
Grippier Compound
- Maximizing dry traction with soft, “gummy” tread rubbers like in high-end summer tires.
- Improves cornering grip and reduces understeer.
Increased Tread Width
- Wide tires like 255mm or 265mm put more rubber on road for higher cornering force generation.
- Reduces body roll and understeer for flatter, harder cornering.
Consider your priorities – light modifications can sharpen handling while more aggressive upgrades transform dynamics but compromise comfort and ride quality.
6 Key Factors When Considering New Tire Size
- Vehicle Clearance – Ensure sufficient clearance between tires, fenders, suspension, etc.
- Speedometer Calibration – Larger tires will cause speedo inaccuracy. Recalibrate to avoid tickets.
- Acceleration Changes – Smaller tires increase acceleration, larger tires reduce it. Factor performance needs.
- Fuel Economy Impact – Large increases in diameter hurt MPG significantly due to increased rolling resistance.
- Ride Comfort – Larger generally improves comfort and isolates cabin from impacts.
- Handling Characteristics – Grip, responsiveness, understeer all affected. Assess priorities.
5 Tips for Proper Tire Rotation
- Use crossover pattern – Front right to rear left, front left to rear right. Helps wear evenly.
- Rotate every 5,000-8,000 miles – Don’t wait for irregular wear before rotating.
- Inspect closely while rotating – Look for any damage or abnormalities.
- Check inflation pressure – Inflate all tires to proper specification during rotation.
- Test drive after – Notice any vibrations or pulling indicating further issues.