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question about tire size and fuel economy

Old 04-30-2011, 01:47 PM
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Default question about tire size and fuel economy

If I move from the OEM size of 215 on a 15x7 standard wheel, to a 15x8 wheel and 235 75 15 passenger tire (Kumho R21), do you think I will see some drop in fuel economy?

This tire looks much fatter than the original size. think I'm going to change back or get a different class of tire.
Old 04-30-2011, 01:52 PM
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Of course going from 215x7 to 235x8 you are going to lose a tiny bit, but it must look kinda like a Jeep now at least with the 235 on there.

You want gas mileage, I suggest you get a small car also.
Old 04-30-2011, 04:08 PM
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Consider a 235/70. It's only 1/4" taller.

Last edited by djb383; 04-30-2011 at 04:14 PM.
Old 04-30-2011, 08:10 PM
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you wont see too much of a difference... one of my xjs went from 215 to 235 and i was still getting around 350+ miles to the tank! Than again I have a 5spd 4.0
Old 05-01-2011, 12:17 AM
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Originally Posted by djb383
Consider a 235/70. It's only 1/4" taller.

The standard 225 75 15 (correct?) on the Cherokee Sport performs and looks great. I think messing around with larger tires is a waste.... esp. given I don't care about tooling around in the dirt.
Old 05-01-2011, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by MrPants
The standard 225 75 15 (correct?) on the Cherokee Sport performs and looks great. I think messing around with larger tires is a waste.... esp. given I don't care about tooling around in the dirt.
yes 225/75/15 is the stock size for a cherokee sport those tires perform great on if you are just looking for a daily driver with no modifications! 235s are not much bigger at all.. they would just have a more aggressive stance for a jeep at stock riding height! general grabber AT2 are a good choice
Old 05-01-2011, 01:51 PM
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OEM on a 99-00 Cherokee Sport is 15x7 wheel? what is the offset or backspacing?

Hard to find info on this stuff via google. bunch of bullsh8t. know where to find the OEM specs on wheels and tires for all Cherokees?
Old 05-01-2011, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by MrPants
OEM on a 99-00 Cherokee Sport is 15x7 wheel? what is the offset or backspacing?

Hard to find info on this stuff via google. bunch of bullsh8t. know where to find the OEM specs on wheels and tires for all Cherokees?
15x7 is correct and 5.25" I believe.
Old 05-01-2011, 02:00 PM
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I see you have the Cragar D-window wheels. you like them a lot?

If I cannot find the OEM wheels from Cherokee Sport, I may get the Cragar... "D" style or the Soft 8.

Having time finding any Cherokee Sport wheels. guess I'm going to local wheel traders...
Old 05-01-2011, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by MrPants
I see you have the Cragar D-window wheels. you like them a lot?

If I cannot find the OEM wheels from Cherokee Sport, I may get the Cragar... "D" style or the Soft 8.

Having time finding any Cherokee Sport wheels. guess I'm going to local wheel traders...
I love them. Everyone goes with the soft 8's which im not a big fan of. I picked these up at my local tire place for $45 a piece. Craigslist is a good place to look for factory rims.
Old 05-01-2011, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by MrPants
The standard 225 75 15 (correct?) on the Cherokee Sport performs and looks great. I think messing around with larger tires is a waste.... esp. given I don't care about tooling around in the dirt.
Guess I thought your original post was about wanting a wider tire, but not taller, so that fuel economy wouldn't be sacrificed. That's why I suggested a 70 series tire.....nothing to do with dirt. Skinned our XJ with Kumho KR21s, 235/70/15 on stock 15X7, 5.25" backspace wheels....great bang for the buck.....definitely not an offroad/dirt tire.
Old 05-01-2011, 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
Guess I thought your original post was about wanting a wider tire, but not taller, so that fuel economy wouldn't be sacrificed. That's why I suggested a 70 series tire.....nothing to do with dirt. Skinned our XJ with Kumho KR21s, 235/70/15 on stock 15X7, 5.25" backspace wheels....great bang for the buck.....definitely not an offroad/dirt tire.


I got Kumho R21s also, but because they are 75s, my suspension is old and weak, and the wheel I have is not the same backspacing as OEM, the inside front edge of the tire rubs when backing out. R21 seems like a nice tire, but would like to get a wheel with the correct backspacing/offset. doubt I can get a comparable quality tire under $100-$95.

good thing you went with a 70 instead of 75. I don't like the way this 75 Kumho R21 looks much.... If I could get the exact wheel and tire of the 2000 Cherokee Sport, I would be happy.
Old 05-01-2011, 04:00 PM
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there shouldnt be a whole lot of difference
Old 05-01-2011, 04:44 PM
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The stock wheel back space is 5.25".

Do your wheels have a deeper bs than stock? Seems like others have 235/75 and no rubbing.

Last edited by djb383; 05-01-2011 at 04:46 PM.
Old 05-01-2011, 04:59 PM
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Discount Tire shows Kumho Solus KR21 235/70/15 for $91 out the door.

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