BFG makes a Radial T/A in a 225/50R16 that you may consider as well. All Radial T/A tires have RWL. There is a difference in size however. The 225/50 Radial T/A is about a 1/2" shorter as well as a 1/2" wider. Your stock tire makes 818 revolutions in a mile and the Radial T/A makes 835 revs, so your speedo will be slightly off unless you have it recal'd. Hope this info helps.

 

The Firestone Affinity touring tires in P215/55R16 that come on the 16" HHR wheels are actually 25.3" in diameter and spin at 823rpm @ 60mph. They are also some of the smoothest riding and longest wearing tires made, with a treadwear rating of 500.

 

Good suggestion except that the sizes that you mention are of the few that they DON"T offer in RWL. This is the problem I keep running into.

 

It looks like this is going to be the only one I can find close.

Tire Size: P205/55R16
Service Description: 89S
Sidewall: RWL
Approved Rim Width:5.5 - 7.5
Meas. Rim Width:6.50
Section Width:8.4
Outside Diameter:24.9
Tread Width:7.6
Max Load:1,279
MSRP:$158.95


Any comments are welcome as far as fit, function, performance and looks. One question, what does "service description: 89S" mean?

Thanks, Mike

 

89S =

"89" = load index of 89 = 1,279 pounds per wheel max

"S" = speed rating of 112mph (max for 3 hours before delamination)

 

112mph for 3 hours....I can handle that!

All joking aside though, are those good ratings, average....?

I've never really cared before so I never paid attention, if they fit, I was happy.

 

An 89S tire is pretty much "average." My current tires are "W" rated = 168mph for 3-hours! I didn't buy them for the speed capability however!

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W = 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y = 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

As high-performance vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tire's capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle.

With the HHR, an "S" rated tire should serve you quite well.

 

What about 205/55r/16 in. tires on rims? Would that fit a 2006 HHR LT?

 

Greta, what rims? Are they HHR or maybe Malibu rims?

 

Greta. You are asking a question to someone that made their post over 8 YEARS ago. Besides that, that person has not logged on to this site in over 7 years.

Not really sure how people even dig up threads that old.

Anyhow, Welcome to the site.(Wow. just noticed you joined 4 years ago and this is your 1st post)