Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Will a tire change effect my speedometer, if so by how much?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-03-2001, 08:10 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
 
Brad91Rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Purgitsville WV
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 RS and 1998 Trans Am
Engine: 305(lo3) 346(ls1)
Transmission: 700r4 4L60e
Will a tire change effect my speedometer, if so by how much?

My car had 225/60/16's on it, I put 245/50/16's on it. Will this throw off my speedometer reading? If so how much, and how can I fix it?
Thanks,
Brad

------------------
91 metallic blue RS Flowmaster exhaust, Eibach Sportline Springs, Open element, 323 posi rear w/ 4 wheel discs. 350 comming soon.
Old 09-03-2001, 08:57 PM
  #2  
Moderator

 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,108
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes on 101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
You'll be going from a 26.6" tall tire to a 25.6" tall tire.

Your speedometer will be going faster than you actually are going.

------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley
Old 09-03-2001, 10:36 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

 
Mark A Shields's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Someone owes me 10,000 posts
Posts: 7,164
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 99 Formula
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 342
This will affect your odometer as well.

------------------
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite
Old 09-04-2001, 12:24 AM
  #4  
Member

 
Ozzy88GTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Gulf Coast
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: TH700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Go to this site for a Tire Calculator
http://www.intercotire.com/calculators.htm
First check the diameter of the tire by using the calculator on the link: "Metric Tire"
Then use those diameter numbers on calculator in the "True MPH" page. You have to plug in the spedometer reading before you calculate to get the actual MPH.
Take a look at it.
Old 09-04-2001, 03:20 PM
  #5  
Member

Thread Starter
 
Brad91Rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Purgitsville WV
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 RS and 1998 Trans Am
Engine: 305(lo3) 346(ls1)
Transmission: 700r4 4L60e
Thanks for the help. Ozzy88gta that link was just what i needed. According to the calculator my speedometer is off 2-3 mph depending on the speed. Is there anyway to correct this?
Old 09-04-2001, 03:40 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member
 
RB83L69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Loveland, OH, US
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
Well, you went from the wrong size of tire, for which the car's speedo system was not designed, to the stock size. So what's to fix? By doing that, you should be fixing what was previously broken.

Regardless, the smart thing to do is to drive down a section of freeway or something like that with mile markers; and compare your odometer to the measured mileage. Use a good long stretch of road like 10 miles at least. It's easier to measure error in the distance than the speed.

------------------
"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports
Old 09-04-2001, 06:44 PM
  #7  
Member

Thread Starter
 
Brad91Rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Purgitsville WV
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 RS and 1998 Trans Am
Engine: 305(lo3) 346(ls1)
Transmission: 700r4 4L60e
I'll give the milage idea a try. However didn't the RS's w/ 16 inch wheels come stock w/ 235/55/16 tires? The 225/60's were put on by the previous owner, but either way (60 or 50 series) the tires would be 1/2 inch different from the stock height of 55. I guess the 2-3 MPH doesn't really matter, i can learn to live w/ it, and i don't plan on selling this car. I'll still try the milage test though.
thanks,
brad
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
01-19-2024 04:55 PM
Scorched1984
Wheels and Tires
66
04-16-2016 06:56 PM
92firebirdchris
Exterior Parts for Sale
0
08-14-2015 11:56 AM
ChevyZ71
Interior
2
08-13-2015 07:30 AM



Quick Reply: Will a tire change effect my speedometer, if so by how much?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 AM.