I have a 2007 Santa Fe 18" alloys. (me thinks 235 / 60R18).
So now I am getting snow tires - Michelin Latitude X-Ice - on Hyundai 16" rims - 225 / 70R16.

The specs speak about 235 / 70R16 but a few I have spoken to, have suggested the smaller width helps cut through the snow.

The load rating on the 18" and 16" are the same 102. (102Q for the snow - lower speed rating).

Anyahoo, here is the question - I know lower end Santa Fe's have 16" rims - so I knew already the car supports both.

Are there any concerns with the odometer / speedometer when changing from 18 standard to 16 high profile tires? My feeling is that the high profile should compensate.

Costco dealer did notice a slight change perhaps - could be 1-2% or as high at 5%? I cannot recall.

Any input would be appreciated.

jeff

 

http://www.csgnetwork.com/tireinfo4calc.html

Care to run the numbers yourself? There a several such calculators on the internet, but this one seems to address your questions the best.

 

It's not the rim size that matters it's the tire diameter.

The stock tire (235/60-18) has an outer diameter of 29.1" so you want the 16" tire to have a similar outer diameter. The 225/70-16 tire has a diameter of 28.4". That's too small in my opinion. That would give your speedo an error of 2.4% fast. Meaning when your speedoshows 60-mph you will only be traveling 58-mph. Not a large error but it's best to keep tire sizes within 1%.

I would suggest a 225/75-16 tire that has a diameter of 29.4". That is a 0.7% error slow. When your speedoshows 60-mph you will only be traveling 60.4-mph.

Otherwise, go with thesuggested 235/70-16 tire. Ithas a diameter of 29.0". That is a 0.3% error fast. When your speedoshows 60-mph you will only be traveling 59.8-mph.

 

I have purchased these tire in the 235/70R16 and I don't see a difference in the speedo. They work great in snow and on ice, by the way the reduction you get from 225 to 235 series is negligible for the width.

My two cents.