Enhance your Toyota Fielder’s performance and handling with a tire size upgrade. Learn about potential impacts on comfort, safety, and vehicle compatibility by Changing Tyre size on Toyota Fielder. Discover the ideal tire size for your Fielder.
Changing Tyre Size on Toyota Fielder
There are a few reasons why someone may want to change the tyre size on their Toyota Fielder:
Improve Handling and Performance
- Putting on lower profile, wider tyres can improve cornering and braking. This is because lower profile tyres have stiffer sidewalls which allow for better responsiveness. The wider tyres also increase the contact patch with the road, providing more grip.
Increase Comfort
- Sometimes the original tyres may transmit too much noise or vibration into the cabin. Switching to tyres with a taller sidewall and different tread pattern can provide a smoother, quieter ride.
Aesthetic Reasons
- Some owners simply want to change the look of their Fielder and make it more aggressive or muscular with wider, lower profile tyres.
Deal with Wear or Damage
- If the original tyres are badly worn or damaged, putting on new tyres of a different size gives owners an opportunity to experiment with something new.
So in summary, the main reasons are to enhance performance, improve comfort, modify the aesthetics, or simply out of necessity due to wear and tear. Owners should think carefully about their priorities before changing sizes.
What Are the Stock Toyota Fielder Tyre Sizes?
Toyota Fielders came equipped from the factory with the following OEM tyre sizes:
Fielder 1500cc Models
- 185/65R15 – This was the standard tyre size on 1500cc Fielder models.
Fielder 1800cc Models
- 195/65R15 – The 1800cc models came with slightly wider 195 section width tyres.
Variances
- There may be small variances (+/- 5mm) on wheel rim diameter on certain trims. But largely, Fielders were equipped with either 185/65R15 or 195/65R15 tyres from the factory.
Always check the door jamb or owner’s manual for the exact OEM tyre size on your Fielder if unsure.
What New Tyre Sizes Will Fit on a Toyota Fielder?
Many owners wonder what new tyre sizes will properly fit their Fielder without rubbing or requiring modifications. Here are some popular replacement sizes that are confirmed to fit all models:
Same Overall Diameter
- 195/60R15
- 185/70R15
- 205/55R15
These provide minimal changes and will not affect speedometer accuracy.
Slightly Lower Diameter
- 195/65R14
- 185/60R15
Approximately 1-2% smaller overall diameter than OEM size. May slightly improve acceleration.
Slightly Larger Diameter
- 195/55R16
- 185/50R17
Around 1% larger than OEM size. May very slightly reduce acceleration.
Always stick to tyres that are the same rim diameter as OEM. So 15″ rims should stick to 15″ tyres, and 16″ rims to 16″ tyres, etc.
Will Changing Tyre Size Affect Gearing or Speedometer Accuracy?
Going with a different tyre size, especially a significant increase or decrease in overall diameter, can affect gearing and speedometer/odometer accuracy. Here’s what you need to know:
- Larger diameter tyres will cause your speedometer to read lower than your actual speed. This affects odometer accuracy.
- Smaller diameter tyres will increase the speedometer reading compared to actual speed.
- Gearing is altered as engine RPM at cruising speed changes. Larger tyres mean lower RPM, smaller tyres increase RPM.
- The difference is quite small between most typical tyre size changes on a Fielder. Within 3% larger or smaller is usually not a major issue.
- Going more than 3% up or down starts to have a more noticeable effect. It’s best to stay within this range.
To be safe, have your speedometer recalibrated if switching to tyres that greatly alter overall diameter and gearing.
Do I Need to Make Any Modifications to Fit Larger Tyres?
The Toyota Fielder has fairly generous wheel arches and suspension setup that will accommodate slight increases in tyre width and diameter without any issues.
Some key points:
- Stick to 15″ rims and you are highly unlikely to have rubbing or clearance issues, even with a width increase from 185mm to 195mm.
- 16″ and 17″ rims with lower profile tyres will fit without rubbing. But you may notice some minor inner wheel arch fouling when turning at full lock. This can be rectified with a 20mm suspension lowering.
- Increases beyond a 205mm width are not recommended without arch modifications.
- Suspension upgrades may be desired if substantially increasing tyre width to ensure proper dampening and load characteristics are maintained.
So in summary, minor increases in tyre width and diameter on 15″ rims are fine without modifications. But anything more aggressive may need suspension and arch changes.
How Does Tyre Size Affect Ride Comfort?
Tyre size has an impact on ride comfort in the following ways:
- Narrower Tyres – Are less able to absorb shocks and imperfections in the road. Ride comfort is reduced.
- Lower Profile Tyres – The shorter sidewalls transmit more road noise and vibration into the cabin. Ride is harsher.
- Larger Diameter Tyres – Are able to roll over bumps and objects more easily for a smoother ride. But the stiffer sidewalls reduce comfort.
- Smaller Diameter Tyres – Extra sidewall flex improves absorption of bumps. But smaller contact patch decreases roll-over ability.
- High Performance Tyres – Stiffer construction and tread patterns create more road noise and harshness.
Ideally, maintain a similar size to OEM if a comfortable ride is priority. Moderate increases in width and diameter are fine. But ultra-low profiles or highly stiff performance tyres will sacrifice comfort.
Will Fuel Economy Be Affected by Changing Tyre Size?
There are a few factors that influence fuel economy when changing tyre sizes:
- Rolling Resistance – Lower profile and high performance tyres have greater rolling resistance leading to reduced fuel economy.
- Rotating Mass – Heavier tyres take more energy to rotate, slightly increasing consumption.
- Overall Diameter – Larger diameter tyres lower RPM at speed, reducing fuel usage. Smaller diameters increase RPM and fuel consumption.
- Width – Wider tyres have slightly higher rolling resistance but it is quite minor.
Generally, expect a very modest decrease in fuel economy from low profile or heavy performance tyres. Larger overall diameter can help offset this slightly by lowering cruising RPM.
But differences tend to be small provided changes in size are not too drastic. Proper tyre inflation and alignment have a much greater influence on fuel efficiency.
Will Handling and Braking Performance Improve with Larger Tyres?
Switching to larger tyres can potentially improve the handling and braking performance of your Toyota Fielder:
Reasons Larger Tyres Can Help:
- Increased traction and grip from larger contact patch.
- Lower profile provides stiffer sidewalls for better responsiveness.
- Wider tyres enhance cornering ability.
- Larger diameter helps rollover bumps and objects.
Downsides of Larger Tyres:
- Higher rotating mass hurts acceleration.
- Worse ride comfort over bumps.
- Increased fuel consumption.
- Potential rubbing if sizing is too aggressive.
The key is choosing the right balance of width and profile to match your goals. Modest increases in width and diameter on 15″ wheels will provide a good middle ground of better grip without major downsides.
Be mindful not to sacrifice too much comfort, economy and acceleration by being overly aggressive on tyre size.
Will Toyota Warranty Support Modifying Tyre Size?
No, Toyota will not approve or honor warranty coverage if changing the OEM tyre size on a Fielder. Some key points:
- Toyota maintains tyre size is a safety-critical component that should not be modified.
- Any damage or faults related to installing different tyre sizes will not be covered under warranty.
- Indirect issues caused by non-standard tyres may also be rejected for claims.
- Dealers can detect and will void warranty work if non-OEM tyres are fitted.
- All owner’s manual guidance and servicing assumes OEM tyre sizes are in use.
The best practice is to stay within 3% of your vehicle’s original tyre diameter to minimize risks of issues. Or be prepared to accept responsibility for any problems that could arise when deviating from the OEM spec.
What Are Some Good Tyre Choices for a Modified Toyota Fielder?
Here are some well-suited tyre models to consider when changing the size on a Toyota Fielder:
Street/All-Season Performance:
- Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS – Handles well, comfortable, quiet
- Continental PureContact LS – Balanced grip and ride quality
- Michelin Premier LTX – Durable mileage and low noise
Max Grip Summer Tyres:
- Dunlop Sport Maxx RT – Impressive dry and wet grip
- Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position – Ideal for spirited driving
- Yokohama Advan Apex V601 – Strong cornering and braking performance
Winter/Snow Tyres:
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 – Excellent cold weather traction
- Toyo Observe GSi-6 – Budget-friendly winter option
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Long-wearing winter tyre
Always check the intended tyre model’s size range to ensure they are offered in sizes compatible with your Fielder’s wheels. A tyre shop can provide guidance.
5 Key Considerations When Changing Toyota Fielder Tyre Size
1. Intended Use
Consider how you primarily use your Fielder – commuting, performance driving, towing, snow regions, etc. This determines priorities like ride comfort, grip, noise, etc.
2. Wheel Compatibility
Never exceed load/speed ratings of wheels. And ensure new tyre diameter fits within wheel dimensions without rubbing.
3. Speedometer Recalibration
Recalibrate your speedo if the new tyres alter your Fielder’s overall diameter by more than 3%. This keeps odometer and speed accurate.
4. Suspension Settings
Assess if stiffer springs, shocks or anti-roll bars are needed to properly handle wider, lower profile tyres.
5. Legality
Ensure the new tyre size meets legal requirements for your region in terms of speed rating, diameter change percentages, protrusion limits, etc.
Conclusion
Modifying tyre size on a Toyota Fielder can provide benefits in terms of aesthetics, performance, and comfort but needs careful consideration. Modest increases in width and diameter are manageable without major modifications. Aggressive changes will require further upgrades and may impact warranty coverage. Work in partnership with your tyre shop and suspension tuner to pick the optimal new tyre specifications for how you use your Fielder. With proper planning, you can find the right balance of increased grip and handling without sacrificing ride quality, fuel economy or OEM reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 205/50R16 tyre compatible with my Toyota Fielder 1500cc?
Yes, a 205/50R16 tyre will fit on a 1500cc Toyota Fielder without any issues provided you also switch to a suitable 16″ rim. It is a common upgrade that offers a modest 1% increase in overall diameter. No modifications are needed, but a speedometer recalibration is recommended.
What tyres provide the best compromise of grip and low road noise?
Tyres like the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S and Continental PureContact LS strike a good balance between responsive handling and a quiet, comfortable ride. They achieve this via modest tread widths and asymmetric tread designs to reduce noise.
Will putting 17″ rims and 215/45R17 tyres rub on my Fielder?
215/45R17 is doable but you’ll likely experience some minor rubbing at full lock without a suspension lowering modification. ideally, try to stay with the 205/50R16 size for the best fitment on 17″ rims without rubbing.
Can I go down to a 175/65R14 tyre on my Fielder 1500cc?
It’s not recommended as the 175 width is too narrow and could present handling issues. 185/65R14 is the smallest you should go, but this will throw off your speedo accuracy by 2.7%.
What tyre gives the best wet weather grip for my Fielder?
For excellent wet grip, consider the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S or Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus. Their advanced tread compounds and water channeling designs provide strong performance in wet conditions.