The attraction to bigger or larger rim sizes is primarily on account of the dashing looks these rims give to the car. Aside from this, there is a yearning for most car owners to customize their cars and give them a different look from other users of the same car.
One of the ways to achieve this is by going for plus-size rims. The question however is if such modification has its consequences.
So, can you put 17 rims on your car?
Yes, you can put 17 rims on your car either for improving the car’s looks or its performance. In most cases, when car owners ask about the compatibility of larger rims with their car and wish to go for a plus-size rim, it is usually in the interest of customizing their vehicles and giving them a more aggressive look.
While looking cool is the interest of most persons who wish to undertake this modification, there is also a fraction of persons whose interest is to improve their car’s performance.
Whatever your reason may be for wanting this modification in your car, simply remember that this is no ordinary modification, it has its pros and cons and must be executed properly.
The drawbacks associated with putting a 17 rim on your car are seen mostly when the right procedure and guidelines are not adhered to. For example, when the rims are changed to a 17-rim size, the tires must also be upgraded to a similar size that fits such a wheel.
Without doing this, the non-matching tire may create problems such as rough and bumpy rides, in the ability to turn the steering wheel freely at a corner as a result of the tire rubbing against some part of the car among others.
Here in this article, there will be a detailed discussion on how to successfully put a 17 rim on your car.
This would include how to select a matching tire for the 17 rims, some of the benefits you stand to benefit from the 17 rims, possible drawbacks you should be prepared for, and whether the size of the rim on your car matters not. These and more will be looked at in the course of the article.
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Guideline on how to switch to 17 rims on your car
Firstly, before thinking of changing the rims on your car, you must make sure the new rim size is compatible with your car by checking the owner’s manual.
So, why is this important? well, let’s say you would not want to install a rim on your car that will cause issues such as the tire wearing off quicker than it should, problems with the wheel as well as the speedometer.
The most essential consideration when choosing the appropriate tire compatible with the 17 rims is the height of the sidewall. Given that the rim is now larger than the previous rim, the tire should conversely have a reduced sidewall height.
Without such a reduction in the height of the sidewall, there is no way the tire will fit properly in the car.
The tire may rub against the fender and other parts of the car. This creates problems for both the tire and the parts of the car in contact with the tire. This also creates difficulty with driving, especially during turns.
The aim of going for a tire that has a reduced sidewall height when using plus-size rims such as 17 rims is an attempt at making sure that although the size of the rim is larger, the outer diameter of the wheel is still maintained.
So, if the size of the rim is increased by an inch, the height of the sidewall of the tire should be adjusted accordingly. (Read Also: Does Tire Size Affect Gear Ratio?)
If you are unsure of the rims that will fit your car, there are about two basic ways you can come out of this and make an informed choice of the rim. The commonest method these days by goggling and checking online to find rim sizes are that specified for your car models.
There are lots of helpful sites out there which could help with this and provide services such as allowing you to order for the rim and have it delivered to your doorsteps. So, a lot has been made easier with the presence of online auto shops.
On the other hand, most vehicles have sticker plates within the car’s door on the driver’s side, particularly on the inner aspect of the door where such information can also be sourced.
Factors that must be put into consideration include the bolt pattern, the backspace, size of the tire, the pattern of the lug nut, the space for the brake pads, and similar other parameters surrounding rim change.
Figuring out what is compatible with your car is honestly not your job, especially if you are not familiar with car parts. It is therefore best to leave this to the professionals to help set up.
Irrespective of how desperately you wish to change the looks of your car, one thing is sure os that you would not be willing to sacrifice this for driving comfort. Without undergoing the necessary modification, the new big size rim with the corresponding big size tire is bound to affect your driving experience with your car.
Whenever you run over a speed bump, for example, a lar size wheel may cause the tire to rub against the fender with a consequent wearing of the tire and significant damage to the fender and other car parts such as the suspension.
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Benefits of putting 17 rims on your car
What could you possibly stand to gain from putting 17 rims on your car? For one, your car will have a different outlook. It will stand out and become noticeable hearing you drive through and leave it parked.
This cool look is perhaps the first and most obvious evidence from the numerous compliments the car earns from passersby and other car owners.
How the 17 rim or other plus-size rims affect your car’s look depends on the height of the car. For a considerably tall car, a plus-size rim such as the 17-inch rim will further enhance its looks and look great with the car.
However, for old model cars which are usually not as tall as modern-day cars, large tire sizes may look out of proportion and give an awkward look.
As explained above, large rim sizes go with large tire sizes. With large tires, you will have more surface area of the tire in contact with the road, this increases the tire’s grip on the road and helps with handling the car, especially while driving through the rain or snow.
The higher the tire diameter, the better it is in handling such weather conditions. So, rather than piercing through, it sorts of planes over the snow or water collection.
Disadvantages of putting 17 rims on your car
Going big is not always a joyful ride without drawbacks. Of course, choosing to modify your car, especially with an aftermarket product that is not factory recommended comes with drawbacks.
First, the 17 rims must go with a tire with a reduced sidewall height for fitting. However, the height of the sidewall is paramount to how the tire handles a pothole or speed bump.
When the sidewall is short in height, the wheel could get bent from impact with a speed bump or potholes on bad roads when the car is driven over any of these at a moderate or high speed. Remember what a bent or damaged wheel does to the tire, it causes slow sleeks not fixable by sealants or tire patches.
The larger the rim, the heavier it is. This becomes an additional weight that must be overcome by the car’s engine. Consequently, large and heavy rims reduce the car’s fuel economy as well as the speed at which the car is driven. However, there are large rims that at.
They are commonly more expensive than the regular type.
When going for large rims, prepare to spend more than the company size rims. However, when getting yourself a new car, and this comes as one of the options of rims for your car, it will fall within the regular price for rims.
The speed and quality of drivers are highly influenced by the tire as it sub-serves the conversion of the car’s engine power in acceleration as well as stopping the car.
Heavier tires slow the car down, this is evident in the evolution of tires from the wooden wheels, up to the current carbon fiber wheels and magnesium as well as aluminum alloys.
With larger tires and rim, there is an increased risk of having your speedometer altered, the tire rubbing against the fender and other car parts, the wheel and brakes not functioning properly, particularly when the modification is not done by a professional.
Conclusion – Can You Put 17 Rims On Your Car?
Yes, you are free to customize your vehicle and install plus-size rims such as the 17-inch rim. What is required is to make sure the overall outer diameter of the wheel is kept to by adjusting the tire size accordingly.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.