How Big Of Tires Can You Put On A Stock Honda Ridgeline?
One of the most common questions among Honda Ridgeline owners is how large of tires they can fit on their stock vehicle. Upgrading your tires can enhance both the aesthetics and performance of your Ridgeline, but it’s crucial to ensure compatibility with your vehicle’s stock configuration.
The stock tire size for the Honda Ridgeline varies depending on the trim level and model year. Typically, stock tires range from 245/60R18 to 245/50R20 for different trims and years. These sizes are carefully chosen to optimize performance, handling, and fuel efficiency while maintaining adequate clearance within the wheel well. The largest tire size that will fit on a stock Honda Ridgeline with 18-inch wheels is typically around 265/60 R18.
Factors to Consider When Upsizing Tires
Wheel Well Clearance
The wheel wells of the Honda Ridgeline are relatively compact, offering limited space, particularly without any modifications. It’s important to note that installing tires that exceed the recommended size can pose several potential issues. Notably, such tires may experience rubbing against the vehicle’s fenders or suspension components. This can not only compromise the handling and performance of the vehicle but also pose a risk of causing damage to both the tires and the vehicle itself. Therefore, it’s crucial for Ridgeline owners to carefully consider tire size compatibility to ensure optimal performance, safety, and longevity of their vehicle.
Speedometer Calibration
When you change the size of your tires, you’re also changing their rolling circumference, which can have a notable impact on the accuracy of your Speedometer. To maintain precise speed readings, it’s crucial to recalibrate your speedometer or utilize a tuner to accommodate the new tire size. This adjustment ensures that your speedometer accurately reflects your vehicle’s speed despite the change in tire dimensions.
Gear Ratio
When considering larger tires for a vehicle, it’s crucial to take into account their impact on the gear ratio. The stock gearing, optimized for standard tire sizes, may not be well-suited for significantly larger tires. This mismatch can have notable consequences, such as compromised acceleration and engine performance. Essentially, the larger diameter of the tires alters the effective gear ratio, leading to a reduction in torque at the wheels. Consequently, the vehicle may struggle to accelerate as efficiently, and the engine might experience increased strain due to the altered mechanical advantage. Therefore, it’s advisable to recalibrate or even upgrade the gearing system to ensure optimal performance when switching to larger tires.
Suspension and Handling
Choosing larger tires for your vehicle can significantly influence its handling characteristics and overall performance. While larger tires often provide enhanced traction and off-road capability, they can also introduce several considerations that affect driving dynamics. These include improvements in grip and stability, particularly in challenging terrain, yet they may also lead to changes in steering response, potentially affecting the vehicle’s agility and maneuverability.
Moreover, larger tires can alter braking distances, as the increased rotational mass may require adjustments in braking techniques to maintain stopping efficiency. Additionally, the choice of larger tires can impact ride comfort, with potential trade-offs between a smoother ride and increased road feedback or noise. Thus, when selecting tire sizes, it’s essential to consider not only the desired performance benefits but also the potential implications on handling, braking, and comfort.
Warranty and Liability
Modifying your vehicle beyond manufacturer specifications may void certain warranties and could potentially impact insurance coverage in the event of an accident. Always check with your insurance provider and read the warranty terms carefully before making modifications.
if you modify your Ridgeline, particularly in ways that could affect other components, there’s a risk that the warranty on those components could be voided. For instance, if larger tires lead to premature wear on the suspension or brakes, Honda might argue that the modifications caused the issue and thus may not cover the repairs under warranty. It’s always a good idea to consult with professionals before making significant changes like upsizing tires. When upgrading your tires, it’s important to consider all of the factors involved. Especially your Honda factory warranty or your Honda Factory Extended Warranty, you wouldn’t want to make any decisions that could potentially void your warranty.
