How would that minimal width increase affect the traction control, on the front end of a rear wheel drive car. Would the ESP really be altered? DodgeMech how do you feel about this?

 

I have a P/T Cruiser with traction control. I took 205/55 x 16's off the back and replaced them with 245/60 x 16's which are wider and considerably taller, too, and have noticed no change in the ABS or traction control abilities. The rear chrome wheels are protected this way too and it looks GREAT!!!!

 

DANK, did your Gas Milage change much after you switched to the wider shoes?

 

so on a front wheel drive PT cruiser, you put a huge rear tire? that has to look, a bit awkward? a 245-60-16 is about 27.5 inches tall? from a tire that was 24.8 inches tall? how about some pics?

 

No noticeable change in mileage but I do not calculate it and that would be affected more by changing the diameter of the front tires on FWD, not the rears. I had four 245's left from a previous vehicle when my wife blew one of the P/T's stock 205's. Instead of buying another skinny, I put on two wides and they protect the rear wheels from curb damage too. I will be replacing the fronts in a few months with 225/50 x 16's which are the same diameter as the 205/55's. Tirerack offers some great info on tire reviews and ratings by actual owners. Based on that, I will go for the Goodyear Assurance Triple-Treds or some such name. They got the highest review scores for wet and snow traction and I am far north enough that matters a lot. My mother just got the P/T from me and I want to help her get through our snow seasons. My mother-in-law's Neon will have them before next snow season, too. I have bigger rear tires on that Neon, also. Something you big guys might not need or care about is increased visability for short ladies. My mother and my mom-in-law are short enough that raising the rears of their vehicles with taller rear tires has actually helped them see where they are going more than a little. I realize ya'll might think bigger tires on the rear of FWD's is silly or whatever, but for us, they work well and they do look good.