Rial question - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

paroyboy · 02-18-2009, 07:42 AM

I had snow tires put on my stock Passion wheels back in December. I left the TPMS in. Now I'm thinking instead of having them un-mounted, I'd just buy a set of Rials from Tirerack with TPMS since the price of the sensors has come down to $152 for a set of 4. Should I go with the recommended sizes that I can just remount the stock tires on to save some money? Or should I go with 4 rear sized wheels and put new 177/55-15's on all four wheels? Not an agressive driver and I'm ok with the ride from the stock tires. Just wondering if there is any DEFINATE advantage to having all four tires the same size other than the ability to rotate them.

churpee · 02-18-2009, 08:20 AM

I have 4 175's on car i think the larger front tire makes car ride better than smaller front oem tire

**rfernatt** · 02-18-2009, 08:43 AM

Another vote for a larger size tire all around. It's a noticeable improvement over the stock wheels/tires.

MPrice2984 · 02-18-2009, 10:17 AM

It will really help your stability behind trucks on the freeway going to fatter tires all the way around.

Dunerunner · 02-18-2009, 11:13 AM

You would be able to rotate tires, gaining more even wear and more mileage. You could carry a spare that would be the same size as any tire and wheel on your car. There are members who have posted that the set-up transformed the car. New wheels/tires have transformed the car

paroyboy · 02-24-2009, 08:49 AM

OK, decided to just buy four 15x6 Rials with new TPMS and four new tires. Going with the 195/50-15 since they seem to be an exact match in diameter with stock. Now, I need to pick a tire. Of the tires available on Tirerack, I'm thinking of the Goodyear Eagle GT-HR. I had Hankooks and Kumhos before and was never happy with them.

**rfernatt** · 02-24-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paroyboy

OK, decided to just buy four 15x6 Rials with new TPMS and four new tires. Going with the 195/50-15 since they seem to be an exact match in diameter with stock. Now, I need to pick a tire. Of the tires available on Tirerack, I'm thinking of the Goodyear Eagle GT-HR. I had Hankooks and Kumhos before and was never happy with them.

I don't know what you're looking for in a tire and it's a highly personalized decision, but I've been pleased with the Yokohama Avids so far. Good luck!

paroyboy · 03-03-2009, 10:06 PM

one more semi-dumb question. Do I use the stock lug nuts with the Rials? One web site I was on said you should use others? Believe it was on Genius wheels

**rfernatt** · 03-04-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paroyboy

one more semi-dumb question. Do I use the stock lug nuts with the Rials? One web site I was on said you should use others? Believe it was on Genius wheels

I used the stock lugs and haven't had any problems, but I've never heard that you should use different lug nuts?

MPrice2984 · 03-04-2009, 06:14 AM

I used the OE lugs with my Rials no problem at all.
If I was not using an all season tire (Kumho AST's) I would suggest going with the Generals in a 195/50 x15", they get great reviews. However the Kumhos are working great on my car and are fine in all but snow over 4-5 inches.