Newbie here; sorry, but I thought that headline would get your attention on a tired old topic!

Okay, so I've combed through thread after thread on whitewalls, using 60 series tires instead of 55 series, etc, etc, but I have never seen this idea put up. Radial wide whites are pricey; looking at up to $222 per tire (this was on Coker's site as of today for a 215/55/16). I have an idea, but I have yet to see a picture of it on an HHR - why not a Michelin Symmetry 225/60-16 with a whitewall? I know, it's not a wide white, but it is a clean looking tire with a nice "pinner" white, might give a nice retro 60's look, here's a picture of one - only $112 per tire on Discount Tire's site today:
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Here's a close-up shot I found of a 225/60-16 on an HHR by a member on this site, looks really good and fills up the (rear) wheelwell nicely:
[IMG][/IMG]

I'm still concerned on using a 60 series tire for a few reasons, maybe you can help on some of these questions:

*Can anyone please post some pictures, full side view or front 3/4 view of their HHRs with 215/60/16s or 225/60/16s - I'd like to get an overall feel for how the 60 series looks vs. the 55 series. Any pictures would be great, but blackwalls would be especially helpful on this; the wide whites are deceiving in terms of tire height.

*Reports on serious rubbing or other major issues? I'm not too worried about the speedo being off (and that can be recalibrated), but is this going to set off tire pressure lights, warning lights on the dash, screw up ABS or traction control, etc, etc?

*Will this screw up a factory warranty and/or completely void all aspects of the warranty?

We have a 2009 HHR LT we just bought for my mother in law, and it need tires right away. I want to do a few tweaks and updates on the car, but it will be mild to say the least. Unfortunately lowering is totally out of the question (it would be the first thing I would do if it were mine, combined with wide whites), but she's on a budget and wants something really mild, so I want to sneak something on there that will wake it up, fill up the wheelwell, but still keep it fairly stock. Any help on this would be really appreciated, thanks!!

 

Keep the over all diameter at 26 inches or less and you won't have any rubbing issues.

 

Welcome Siva 64-

I'm sure you will get your answers, or can find everything you are searching for..

Here's a wheel size comparator I use: http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

You can compare sizes & it will even give you the speed-O differences bewteen 2 different size tires.

My HHR has 17"s so can't help there.

 

I've got 225/55/R16 for my summer tires (yeah I know I'm backwards with 17's for winter... whatever) Anyways, I think the 225/60 will be too tall and rub the strut up front. Check the tire size calculators and don't go over the 26" diameter I mentioned earlier.

 

Greybeard is right about that 26 inches. I really wanted a taller tire than the originals when I replaced, but after looking and measuring, I wound up staying with the stock size. Take a look at that strut in front, its really pretty close, even with stock tires on it.

 

the 225/60/16 specs at 26.6" tall..... Ouch !!

225/55/16 is 25.7" tall

Now the 215/60/16 is 26.1" tall, that height should fit fine..

 

Once I tried to install the tires 225/../16. I do not remember the exact Ramer. I took them from BMW.
Bad experience. When turning the front wheel was rubbing on the carbody.

 

I hope the Michelin whitewall idea can work for someone - it appears to be mixed results in terms of folks using a 225/60-16. I think with a little massaging of inner wheelwells, proper wheel backspacing or shims and some good 'ol hot rod enginuity will probably make these work. But since this is a daily driver for my mother-in-law, I can't make a project out of it.

BUT - would still love to see some pics of HHRs with a 215/60/16 tire installed; I still like the idea of an ever so slightly taller tire in that wheelwell (and I have my sights on a couple of BFG tires that have an oh-so-clean sidewall that would look killer).

BTW - just talked to someone who sounded very knowledgable at a local Chevy dealer, the tire size change will NOT have an impact on the remaining powertrain warranty, but I'd still love to hear feedback on impacts for speedo, ABS, traction contol, any dash warning lights, rubbing, etc for the 215/60/16.

Thanks everyone, really loving this site!