Changing tire size in Toyota Grande can improve its performance and appearance. However, there are some important factors to consider before modifying your vehicle’s tire size. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about changing tire size on a Toyota Grande.
Benefits of Changing Tire Size in Toyota Grande
There are several potential benefits to changing your Toyota Grande’s tire size:
Improved Handling and Braking
- Smaller tires with shorter sidewalls can provide more responsive steering and better braking performance. This is ideal for sports driving.
- Larger diameter wheels and tires fill out the wheel wells better and can improve handling by widening the stance.
Better Traction
- Upgrading to wider tires can increase cornering grip and traction. This is useful in rain or snow.
- Off-road oriented tires have aggressive tread patterns that provide additional traction in mud, sand and dirt.
Ride Comfort
- Larger diameter wheels and tires with taller sidewalls can improve ride comfort and absorb bumps better. This provides a smoother ride.
Fuel Economy
- Smaller, narrower tires create less rolling resistance which can slightly improve fuel efficiency.
Appearance
- Changing wheel and tire size can greatly alter the look and style of your vehicle. Custom sizes and designs are popular modifications.
What are the Drawbacks of Changing Tire Size?
While there are benefits, changing Toyota Grande tire size also comes with some downsides:
Cost
- New wheels and tires are expensive, especially when going with larger diameters and widths.
- You may need suspension, brake and alignment modifications to fit new sizes, adding to cost.
Improper Fitment
- If new tires rub against suspension, body or brake components it can cause damage.
- Wheels that are too wide can cause premature tire wear.
Ride and Handling Changes
- Stiffer, lowered suspensions needed for large rims can decrease ride comfort.
- Larger wheels and tires make steering feel slower and less responsive.
Speedometer Inaccuracy
- Changing diameter affects the speedometer accuracy. A 3% larger tire under-reports speed by 3%.
Warranty Issues
Overall, provided you choose compatible sizes and make necessary adjustments, changing Toyota Grande tire size can be beneficial. But it is not necessarily right for every owner or situation.
What Tire Sizes Fit a Toyota Grande?
Toyota Grande models came equipped from the factory with the following OE tire sizes:
- 2005-2011 Grande: 215/65R16
- 2012-2017 Grande: 215/60R17
These are common tire sizes that provide a good balance of ride comfort, fuel economy, and handling.
Some other tire sizes that will fit and work on Toyota Grande models include:
- 205/55R16
- 205/60R16
- 215/55R17
- 225/55R17
- 235/55R17
Lower profile tires like 45 or 40 series may also fit but will require modifying the suspension to avoid rubbing.
Always reference your owner’s manual when considering new tire sizes. The maximum and minimum sizes that can safely be installed will be listed there.
Will a Different Tire Size Affect Speedometer Accuracy?
Yes, changing your Toyota Grande’s original equipment tire diameter will cause the speedometer to be inaccurate.
This is because your vehicle’s speedometer is calibrated for the rolling diameter of the factory tires. The speed reading on your dashboard is calculated based on tire revs per mile.
If you switch to a larger diameter tire, your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed. The smaller the new tire diameter, the faster the speedometer will read.
As a general guideline:
- A 3% increase in tire diameter will under-report speed by 3%
- A 3% reduction in tire diameter will over-report speed by 3%
So if you increase tire diameter by 2 inches, which is approximately 10% larger, your speedometer would under-report by about 10%. This means at 60 mph indicated, you’d actually be traveling about 66 mph.
Significant speedometer inaccuracy can be unsafe, lead to speeding tickets, and cause odometer mileage errors. Have your speedometer re-calibrated if you change tire size by more than 3%.
Do I Need to Make Any Suspension or Alignment Changes?
When changing to a larger or smaller tire on your Toyota Grande, you may need to make suspension, wheel alignment, or other modifications for proper fitment and handling.
Here are some factors to consider:
Wheel Well Clearance
- Will the new tire size fit in the wheel well without rubbing at full lock or under suspension compression?
- You may need to install lowering springs or reset suspension height.
Caliper Clearance
- Do the new wheels have proper caliper clearance? Larger brakes may be needed.
Wheel Offset and Backspacing
- The wheel offset must correctly center the new wheel and tire combo.
- Incorrect offset can lead to rubbing or instability.
Steering and Handling
- Larger wheels and tires will slow steering response. The suspension may need tuning.
- Aligning the front end to factory specs is critical after any tire size change.
Always test fit and test drive your Toyota after changing tire sizes to check for clearance issues and how the handling is affected. Suspension tuning or realignment may be required to prevent premature tire wear.
What is the Maximum Tire Size I Can Fit on a Toyota Grande?
The largest tire size that you can realistically fit on a Toyota Grande without major modifications is approximately:
2005-2011 Grande Models
- 245/60R16
This max size still provides enough fender clearance and allows the suspension geometry and steering components to work properly. Going to a 245 wide tire requires a wheel with the correct offset.
2012-2017 Grande Models
- 245/55R17
The largest you could potentially squeeze on is a 255/55R17 but clearance will be very tight and not recommended.
Exceeding the max tire size above risks rubbing on turns, compromised handling, and clearance issues with the brake components. Always test fit any new wheels and tires thoroughly on your Grande before driving.
Will Wider Tires Improve Traction and Handling?
Installing wider tires on your Toyota Grande can potentially improve cornering grip and traction. But there are some factors to consider:
Vehicle Weight
- A heavier vehicle like the Grande places more load on the tires, increasing their grip potential.
Tire Construction
- Performance oriented tires, like low profile models, are engineered to maximize traction with stiff sidewalls and tread compounds.
Driving Conditions
- More width is beneficial for wet/snow driving where a larger contact patch is needed.
Wheel Alignment
- The suspension needs proper alignment settings for the new tire widths to maximize grip.
Drive Type
- Front-wheel drive Grande models can benefit more from wider front tires than the rear.
For most Toyota Grandes, going from a 215mm width up to 225 or 235 tires should provide a moderate improvement in handling and braking traction without any clearance issues, provided you make steering/suspension adjustments.
Will Smaller Wheels and Taller Tires Improve My Ride Comfort?
Installing smaller diameter wheels with taller sidewall tires can potentially improve ride comfort on your Toyota Grande. Some key factors:
Sidewall Height
- More sidewall flex absorbs bumps better, decreasing impact harshness on the suspension.
Aspect Ratio
- The tire’s aspect ratio effects sidewall height. A 50 or 55 series tire is shorter than a 65 or 70 series.
Wheel Diameter
- Smaller wheel diameters allow for taller tire sidewalls of the same width. Going to a 16″ from 17″ wheel can increase sidewall height.
Tire Pressures
- Running lower air pressures softens the ride but gives up handling performance.
Vehicle Suspension
- A soft luxury tuned suspension benefits most from taller tire sidewalls.
Overall, choosing a wheel 1″ smaller in diameter with 10mm more sidewall should improve ride quality on most Toyota Grandes. This gives a smoother ride while maintaining proper wheel clearance.
What is the Recommended Tire Pressure for my Toyota Grande?
The recommended tire pressure for Toyota Grandes is:
2005-2011 Grande Models
- Front: 30 PSI
- Rear: 30 PSI
2012-2017 Grande Models
- Front: 32 PSI
- Rear: 32 PSI
These pressures are recommended for comfort while fully loaded. Running lower pressures will provide a softer ride quality.
Some important notes when setting tire pressure:
- Always use a quality pressure gauge and check when tires are cold.
- Adjust for load weight – add 4-5 PSI above recommended if carrying heavier loads.
- The max pressure listed on the tire sidewall can often be too high. Never exceed manufacturer recommended pressures.
- Consult your owner’s manual for any variations based on tire sizes.
Proper inflation is crucial for optimizing grip, handling, treadwear, and fuel economy. Check pressures at least monthly to prevent uneven or excessive wear.
Will Changing Wheels and Tires Void my Warranty?
Changing the original wheels and tires on your Toyota Grande to different sizes can potentially void portions of the factory warranty. Here is what you need to know:
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- The basic coverage for 3 years/36,000 miles will not be voided by new wheels or tires. But damage caused by non-standard sizes may not be covered.
Corrosion Perforation Warranty
- Using incompatible wheels that cause mechanical damage or corrosion from rubbing may void the 5 year corrosion warranty.
Tire Warranty
- The original tire manufacturer warranty will be voided if you replace them with different sized tires.
To avoid any warranty conflicts, it is best to keep variations in wheel and tire sizes to a conservative plus or minus 5% at most. Only use reputable tire makes and models that are designed for your vehicle’s specs.
Always inform your dealer of any modifications and get written approval if possible. Keep all installation receipts. Using factory approved wheel/tire combinations provides the highest protection.
Conclusion
Changing tire size on a Toyota Grande can provide benefits like sharper handling, improved traction, and a smoother ride. But there are also risks of improper fit, suspension damage, and warranty issues. Carefully research correct sizes, test fit wheels and tires, and make necessary alignment and suspension changes. Conservative size variations from the factory specs, like a +/- 5% change, are ideal. This allows you to improve the vehicle’s performance and style without reliability concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to just get wheels with lower profile tires instead of changing tire sizes?
Yes, an easier option is to get new wheels that come equipped from the factory with lower profile tires in the desired size. This avoids any hassle of swapping out the tires separately. Many wheel brands offer application-specific fitments and modern designs to upgrade your Grande’s style.
How much does it cost to change tire sizes on a Toyota Grande?
The cost to change tire sizes on a Toyota Grande can range from $600 to $2000 depending on the wheel and tire package purchased. The labor to swap wheels and get an alignment usually costs $150-300. Any required suspension modifications or brake upgrades will add to the overall expense.
Can I rotate my directional tires if they are different sizes front and rear?
No, directional tires must always stay on the same side of the vehicle when rotated. If you are running different tire sizes on the front and rear axles, you cannot rotate the tires since they cannot be swapped side for side.
Should I update my insurance and registration if I switch to bigger tires?
Yes, it is recommended that you notify your insurance provider about switching to significantly larger or smaller tires so they can update your vehicle records accurately. You may also need to update the DMV registration with new tire info to stay compliant if the overall diameter changes your recorded vehicle height.
How much wheel offset do I need for new wheels to fit a Toyota Grande?
The ideal wheel offset for Toyota Grande models is typically between +35mm and +45mm. This provides proper centering within the fenders and avoids clearance issues. Lower offsets around +25mm can work with very conservative widths. Always test fit wheels before purchase.