My problem is that they only have it 235/65/R17 in stock, and I would have to wait 10 days for 255/16/R17's. -------------- I mean 255/60/R17

Sorry

 

255/60R17 should be the same height as 245/65R17 and 235/70R17. The 235/65R17 will actually be slightly shorter than the OE tires. (Many here actually go larger: 245-265 widths in 65-70 series.)

Unless you plan on chucking these tires, you should make sure they're a size you really want. Are there any other shops you can try for a better tread/size combo?

 

Actually, according to:

Tire size calculator

[handy tool!]

255/60R17 and 235/65R17 are the same height. You will likely find a narrower tire will work better in deep snow at the sacrifice of slightly worse handling characteristics. As Schubie said though, 245/65R17 tends to be a popular size as you get about a 1/2" taller tire and from what people that own them say the speedometer is actually more accurate.

And, they are available in the Open Country HT in that size.

good luck,

 

Thank you all for your replies!


I spent the whole day reading up on this, and it is driving me nuts. However, it seems that many have no issues with running either 255/60, 235/65 or 245/65. It definetely gives me more options, as I had tough time finding 255/60/R17.....especially Nokian and Toyo.

 

max tire height for the touareg is 31.5" right?

 

I think it is 30.5 on some(V10)
I run 30.5 on my V8 and that fits. Maybe a little taller fits, with a narrower tire. I run 265 width

 

Go with canon's numbers. I just based my comparison on the quickie tool at the below link. (Maybe they're accounting for more sidewall 'squat' on the narrower tires.)
Tire Sizes - Discount Tire Direct

Good luck--Chris

 

WEll, after reading many of your comments and previous topics, I have decided to order Nokian WRG2 SUV 235/65/R17 108V XL

I hope they don't disappoint, because I would be really mad.

Cheers

 

Sounds good--let us know how the WRG2s in this size work for you.

BTW, what year/engine/optioned Treg are you running these on?

Thanks--Chris

 

2004 V6 3.2, regular suspension

I got the tires on the car yesterday. So far so good.... They are really quiet (well they are new, right). It also seems like it is a more comfortable ride, although my car came with crappy tires on - Federal Couragia 255/60/17 106H. It was probably someone returning it from a lease, so they decided to put any kind of tires on.

 

2004 V6 3.2, regular suspension

I got the tires on the car yesterday. So far so good.... They are really quiet (well they are new, right). It also seems like it is a more comfortable ride, although my car came with crappy tires on - Federal Couragia 255/60/17 106H. It was probably someone returning it from a lease, so they decided to put any kind of tires on.

I know it's an old tread, but I'm considering the same tire and wondering if you could provide an update since you've had them for close to a year. The other size I'm looking at in the same Nokian brand is 255/65R17

 

I've had them for about a year now and they are great!!! I've put on about 25k (km) and the rears are like new, while front ones have suffered some standard thread wear. I am going to rotate them soon. I've had them during winter, and they were amazing. Deep snow, slush or ice, they really performed well. I would say you buy them, especially if the price is right.

Cheers

 

When I tried to order the 235/65R17, the salesperson discouraged me by saying that it's too narrow and would compromise the handling and he didn't think that the 17" wheel would fit the 2009 TDI anyway. He told to sale the 17s and get 18s instead and a wider tire.
I've heard that the 235/65R17 is the closest to the OEM 255/60R17 but I was wondering if a 255/65R17 would also work (it's also available in WRG2 Nokians)? Too many choices and confusing.
Thanks for the update!

 

When I tried to order the 235/65R17, the salesperson discouraged me by saying that it's too narrow and would compromise the handling and he didn't think that the 17" wheel would fit the 2009 TDI anyway. He told to sale the 17s and get 18s instead and a wider tire.
I've heard that the 235/65R17 is the closest to the OEM 255/60R17 but I was wondering if a 255/65R17 would also work (it's also available in WRG2 Nokians)? Too many choices and confusing.

The 235/65R17 is actually an OE size. Mine came fitted with these and most V6TDI's with 17's here run this size.

 

According to the VW web site, the V6 TDI has 350mm front rotors, which would rule out the 17" wheels.

 

Never mind

 

Are you saying that the 17" will fit or won't?

 

I was always told that the 350mm rotors required 18" wheels and were too big for 17"s. Yet I notice in schubie's profile that he has 17"s on his V6 TDI. Do the 17"s fit over the 350mm rotors, or do the V6 TDIs have the smaller 330mm rotors? Inquiring minds want to know

 

The v10 tdi got the bigger rotors

 

What rostrow416 said. We got the 330 mm rotors. But with the lighter weight of the V6 TDI, we probably aren't giving up much in braking over the V10.

 

The 09-10 TDI's have 330mm rotors and 17" wheels fit them with no problem at all. If you want something a little wider then the 235, go with 245/65/17 or the max that will work on the TDI in a 245 width would be a 245/70/17 which puts it at the limit for diameter due to the intercooler vents in the front fender wells. I have used both of these sizes and have experienced a little rubbing with the 70 series, but only on extreme low speed turning situations.

 

I suspected that the VW web site was in error. They seem to have a proof reader who is only marginally familiar with the family's products.

 

GREAT info. The Nokian 245/65R17 I'm looking at doesn't have the XL load rating. Its load rating is 111H. Is that adequate?

One more question, this one related to the warning that exceeding the OE tire by more than 3% could lead to brake failure. On this forum, I see folks putting tires on their Touaregs (i.e. 265/65R17) that far exceeds the 3% difference. What's up with that?

 

GREAT info. The Nokian 245/65R17 I'm looking at doesn't have the XL load rating. Its load rating is 111H. Is that adequate?

One more question, this one related to the warning that exceeding the OE tire by more than 3% could lead to brake failure. On this forum, I see folks putting tires on their Touaregs (i.e. 265/65R17) that far exceeds the 3% difference. What's up with that?

That is more then adequate. You only need a 106 or higher. That is all that comes on them stock. For me running a 245/70/17 has put my speedo dead on according to all the radar speed signs I have run by, but it does slow the odometer down.

 

The warning is from some websites for comparing differences between OE tires and other sizes. See the following link for an example: Tire Size Calculator - tire & wheel plus sizing

I can only assume that they are referring to the added torque on the brake calipers due to the larger tires.

 

My 32" tyres that I have on the 16" wheels now are 9.5% bigger than stock and this, I consider (until proven otherwise... ) to be the absolute maximum size you can fit on a Treg.

1. I can GUARANTEE you that, even if you were able to increase the brake force on the caliper by 10%, even my puny R5 brakes have more than 10% spare capacity in them.

2. You'd only ever see this 10% increase under full brake application, that happens how often in a road car's life...?

3. In this case, larger tyres normally means the guy is looking at A/T tyres, which generally have a lower friction coefficient than the stock tyres, so the increase in force would be cancelled by the decrease in braking performance of the tyre.

4. I'm pretty sure just by changing from a street tyre to an A/T tyre IN THE SAME SIZE, you'd be able to reduce the braking force by 10%, so that argument doesn't fly.

What IS a concern to vehicle manufacturers, and COULD have safety implications, is the fact that larger tyres reduce the indicated speed on the speedo. All manufacturers build a "safety net" into the accuracy of the speedo and you're canceling this out, opening a can of worms when it comes to law enforcement. Some OE's would recalibrate the speedo for you. VW won't. That, IMO, is the ONLY reason why you should try to stick to OE size tyres. And this is also the ONLY reason why certain Australian states have laws governing the size of tyres fitted to vehicles.

My personal opinion... We all have GPS's and we all know our speedo's are inaccurate. And we're all grown-ups and should take responsibility for our actions.

Rant over... Promise...

 

Can't argue with any of the points made by Andriek. I wonder why I haven't seen anyone challenge this warning before. Maybe all the forumites are smart enough to just ignore it.