I know, it sounds like a silly question.

For the last three years I've had Falken ZE912s on my car and I just recently switched to Nitto NeoGens, both in 215/45/17.

Yesterday, on the Jersey Turnpike approaching the GWB, with about 150 pounds of stuff in the boot, I hit three dips (at about 70 mph) and the tires rubbed.

That had never happened before with the Falkens and I'm wondering if it was the severity of the dips combined with the load, or are the Nittos slightly different in size from the Falkens?

What is your guess?

Dean.

 

215/45-17 is the nominal size. Actual size can vary by manufacturer or tire model. Individual tires of the same manufacturer and model can also vary.

 

I just got 215/45/17's nitto's and they rub as well. Came from 205/40/18's which never rubbed. The 215/45's are taller by a small margin, but yea they definitely do rub as I can feel the bald spots on the felt wheel liner. Any dips and bumps with 1 or 2 people in the car and you can hear it.
FWIW it can be the tire tread too, being new and different depths

 

Some manufacture the tires with a very flat tread and some like Michelin,Bridgestone & Firestone round off the tread area. The flat across ones may hit where the wheel well curves (Just a little) where the rounded corners give just enough clearance that they do not have a problem.

 

This also could be as simple as your shocks having more wear on them and flexing more.

 

The Nitto NeoGens overall diameter 24.65 and width 8.39
And the Falken ZE-912 overall diameter 24.80 and width 8.30
So the Falkens are 1.5cm taller but the Nitto is almost 1cm wider.

Nittos are designed with a more square "blocky" structure, espesially on the inner tread to mitigate inner treaware due to negative camber. I think the inner tread portion might even be a harder compound. Also like Ron said above I suspect your struts are flat and springs have settled completely might contribute. Personally, I like the 215/40-17 size, never any fittment issues.

 

Thanks guys !

I hadn't thought about the springs being an issue. As for 215/40-17, that'll have to wait until I wear out the new tires.

I've only had them rub one more time so far ...and it was one helluva' dip in the road. So, I think I'm good except for extreme situations.

The tires perform great and I love the wide look.

 

Would you mind showing a pic? I'm curious how that size looks.

 

Only if you don't mind quick and dirty drive-way shots. I haven't washed the car in weeks and took these about 15 minutes ago.





Dean.

 

Here ya go 215/40-17 Nito NeoGens on Web Spokes: