19 replies to this topic

[Bower]

Hi guys. I got a quick question for you.

I was just wondering if putting bigger rims on the car would have effect to what speedometer is showing? i.e. the actual speed, how many miles it does, mpg calculator and etc.

The standard rims on fiesta mk7 zetec are 195/50 R15
The new ones would be 205/40/zr17

I know that the tires will fit the car.
Simply I dont want to mess with the computer and showings on the clock as the car is new.

Thank you in advance!

[Brigante]

Hi there

Your speedo is calibrated to be out by about 5mph anyway. So when your speedo says you are doing 70mph for example, you will actually be doing about 65mph. You can test this by going by the speed a satnav says.

This is so that you don't panic and slam your breaks on when doing say 32 in a 30 zone and you see a speed trap. So instead of going through doing 32 and getting flashed, you'll actually be doing around 28 and not get flashed.

So adding bigger rims may just even the speedo out so when it says 70mph you will actually be doing 70mph. It might not even change that much though and might just be around 68mph when the speedo says 70pmh.

Hope this helps. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to advise on the matter further.

[iNath]

In a word - yes. Unless you get the car updated with the new size by a Ford mechanic.
Going from 195/50/15 to 205/40/17 puts it out by 3.43% so when your speedo shows 70mph you're actually doing 72.4mph

http://www.alloywhee...Tyre_Calculator

[2011fiesta]

As said above yes.
Next week I'm getting slightly taller tyres and am going to check the speedo out against my sat nav, and my dads speed read out gadget thingy - if its out by a bit I'll get it booked in with a ford mechanic.

[Bower]

Thanks for the answers guys! By the way, do you know an answer to this one:

if you insure a car with original wheels and then change the rims to custom , would the insurance be void?

[Brigante]

You must declare the new rims to the insurance company as they are not the factory fit. Depending on your insurer they may hike up your premium, or they may just charge you an admin charge which is usually around the 15quid mark.

If you don't declare them at your own risk, in the event of you being involved in an accident, your insurer can use that you never declared them to wangle they're way out of paying out.

[iNath]

As said above yes.
Next week I'm getting slightly taller tyres and am going to check the speedo out against my sat nav, and my dads speed read out gadget thingy - if its out by a bit I'll get it booked in with a ford mechanic.

Afraid that's not possible - it can only be changed to the set sizes below:

[2011fiesta]

Afraid that's not possible - it can only be changed to the set sizes below:

Oh, oh dear.

I'm getting the same width tire, just slightly taller. So rather than 195/45/16 it'll be somthing like 205/45/16 I think.

[iNath]

I'm getting the same width tire, just slightly taller. So rather than 195/45/16 it'll be somthing like 205/45/16 I think.

You what? 205 is 10mm wider than 195 silly The height is the 45 bit which is a percentage of the width. E.g. 195mm wide, height of 45% = 87.75mm. If you want your size wheels with a higher profile you want 195/50/16, 195/55/16 etc

[2011fiesta]

You what? 205 is 10mm wider than 195 silly The height is the 45 bit which is a percentage of the width. E.g. 195mm wide, height of 45% = 87.75mm. If you want your size wheels with a higher profile you want 195/50/16, 195/55/16 etc

Ok now I'm confused. Thats what I read on here and ordered 195/55/16s - so I went today to get them fitted and the tyre specialists said why have you chose these, you do know its not the middle number that is the height. So for taller tyres you need to move from 195 to say 205. So they're gonna send them back and get me different ones

:-s

[Stoney871]

First number is width,

[2011fiesta]

First number is width,

*sigh* thats what I thought and said to them - them being the tyre experts I thought I must had misread it. What the hell. ARGHH!

[iNath]

*sigh* thats what I thought and said to them - them being the tyre experts I thought I must had misread it. What the hell. ARGHH!

Better get back on the phone in the morning!

[Bower]

Hey guys, I wanted to avoid creating a new topic so will just post here.

Picked up my Fiesta from the dealer yesterday ! Yay It really does put a massive smile on my face when I look at it Probably, because it is my first car... Will upload some pics this evening hopefully!

Anyway, my question is about the electric windows :

The driver's window does open automatically , i.e. when you press the button once you can release it and it goes all the way down, unless you stop it yourself.

While passenger's window , it is still automatic obv, but you have to hold the button and release it whenever you want the window to stop.

I would prefer to have passengers window as 'automatic' as the driver's one. I hope this makes sense.

I was wondering if it was manufacturing failure or is this just how it works?

Thanks for your answers in advance.

[iNath]

That's just how it works I'm afraid, one-touch up/down is only on the drivers side. Think yourself lucky, in the new Focus you only get one-touch down, they have to hold it to go back up!