how wide of a tire can I put on a 9" rim?

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Both Michelin's and Goodyear's websites show a recommended rim width for a given tire size. Michelin states that the recommended wheel width for a 275/40/19 is 9"-11". Obviously, 9" is at the lower end of the spectrum but it will work fine. Ideally I think 9.5" or 10" is a good width for 275/40/R19. As others have stated, in the past most manufacturers had 17x9 wheels with 275/40 (like the WS6 Trans Am, Camaro SS, 03-04 Cobras, etc.).

Lower profile series tires have a smaller wheel width to play with, for example, 275/30/19 recommend width is 9-10". They can't stretch as far.

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[Dave2013M3]

Where does this table come from? As mentioned, the 2003 thru 04 Cobra’s had 275’s on 9” wheels, and my PP2 has 305’s on a 10.5” wheel, and this table says either is not recommended. Both cars came that way from Ford, so I would trust Ford over that table, or manufacturer info, which also falls within Ford specs.

To the OP, figure out what tire you want to run, then go to the manufacturer and look up the specs for the minimum wheel width. If 9” is listed, you are good to go. My guess would be any 275 will be fine on a 9” wheel.

Doug

That chart is recommended. If you look at the manufacturer page of the tires it does list a 9" wide wheel can be used with a 275 tire. Its just not optimum...the chart posted is for best results.

 

[Biggus Dickus]

For the E92 M3 with ZCP package it was a 245/35/19 on the front which had a 9" wide front wheel. For the rears it was a 265/35/19 on a 10" wide wheel. Yes you can fit a 275 on a 9" wheel safely but the sidewall won't be supported. I wouldn't do this on a front wheel, any sharpness in feel would be out the window.

Dave

I think with larger diameter rims, and lower profile tires, you are more restricted in terms of tire width. My 07 Z06 had 9.5 in. rims up front w/ 275s stock, and as stated above, my 03 Cobras had 275s on 9 inchers.

 

[Bikeman315]

That chart is recommended. If you look at the manufacturer page of the tires it does list a 9" wide wheel can be used with a 275 tire. Its just not optimum...the chart posted is for best results.

Exactly, these are all just recommedations. The tire police will not come to get you if you put a 275 on a 9” wheel. But exactly why would anyone put a non-optimum combination on their car! Just for looks? A couple of $$?

 

[FreePenguin]

I have 285/35/19 on my 19x9.0 but it’s a weird ass rim.

 

[noac]

I have 275/40/17 on my 2001 Bullitt with 17x9 Bullitt Replica Wheels, They fit, look and perform perfect on a 17x9 wheel. They are the ideal size for a 9” wheel. Like others have stated the 03-04 Cobra had 275 on a factory issue 9” wheel. The nice thing about using the 275/40/17 on a New Edge with 9” wheels is it retains the stock tire size overall height.

 

[noac]

This is a 275/40/17 BFG Comp Sport 2 on a reproduction 17x9 Bullitt wheel from OEMselect....they look perfect, like an OEM fitment.

 

[Semp1]

275 is stretching it (pun intended). A little extra in the rear is doable, but I wouldn’t do it in the front.

Ok, now all the guys running 305’s on a 9” can chime in.

This chart is way too strict. It’s accurate and on point with what Michelin recommends with a 9in wheel. But 11in max 305? No way. 11in can easily hold a 315-325 tire. .

 

[Dave2013M3]

This is a 275/40/17 BFG Comp Sport 2 on a reproduction 17x9 Bullitt wheel from OEMselect....they look perfect, like an OEM fitment.

I ran 275/40/17s on my 98 Cobra, with the Cobra R 17X9 wheel. Its a different era. Keep in mind a 275 width tire is almost 11" wide on a 9" wide wheel. Look at the bulge. Yes it works but once again won't be optimal.

A 275 tire on a 10" wheel up front, its a 295 on a 11" wheel out back. The tires are almost trapazoidal in relation to the wheel. Its preloads the sidewall for more support.

 

[noac]

I feel that the tires on the red car are a little stretched and have more of an import look. I like the look of the 275s on 9” wheels.

 

[bnightstar]

I know, I know. Never said it couldn’t be done. But we both know a 275 will be better on a 9.5 vs a 9.0. OP asked for opinion, I gave one.

To be fair 275 will be best on 10.0 than on 9.0 which doesn't mean it can't be put there. I run 275/35 square on my PP1 wheels and it's working great for the track improved my times a big deal doing that. Next as normal people I'm buying Apex wheels and putting 295/30 or 305/30 tires and calling it a day.

 

[bnightstar]

I feel that the tires on the red car are a little stretched and have more of an import look. I like the look of the 275s on 9” wheels.

It's better to have a bit of a stretch because that way you make the sidewall stiffer which give you less flex and more control in corners. However Ford is notorious for putting strange size wheel/tire combos for example my 15" fiesta is on 195/50 tires which is super hard to find size. Ford love bulging tires.

 

[D Bergstrom]

That chart is recommended. If you look at the manufacturer page of the tires it does list a 9" wide wheel can be used with a 275 tire. Its just not optimum...the chart posted is for best results.

Recommend by who? Did this chart come from a Goodyear tire engineer, or some guy who lives in his mom’s basement? It’s all over the internet, but nowhere does it mention who authored it. Does it work, sure, but it is very very conservative. In my opinion, the last line is not true, since tires outside of this range are definitely recommended by the manufacturers, the people who actually design the tires and know them better then anyone. They are not going to recommend something dangerous, because they would be liable. Not everyone needs to be "optimum", sometimes "acceptable" is just fine.

Doug

 

[Dave2013M3]

Recommend by who? Did this chart come from a Goodyear tire engineer, or some guy who lives in his mom’s basement? It’s all over the internet, but nowhere does it mention who authored it. Does it work, sure, but it is very very conservative. In my opinion, the last line is not true, since tires outside of this range are definitely recommended by the manufacturers, the people who actually design the tires and know them better then anyone. They are not going to recommend something dangerous, because they would be liable. Not everyone needs to be "optimum", sometimes "acceptable" is just fine.

Doug

Doug, I think you responded to the wrong guy. I agree with you. It is safe just not optimal. I didn't post this chart. I actually agree with the chart though in the context of what performs better, not necessarily what is safe or not.

 

[kz]

I had (and still actually have) 285/35/19 on 9" rims, mounted in front and were very much used for heavy cornering. They were fine, reading word "dangerous" somewhere there makes me laugh.

It's fine, difficult to mount and doesn't really give any advantage over 275. 275 fits fine on 9".

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