Plus sizing is one of the easiest ways to achieve enhanced performance
and improve the appearance of your vehicle. In the example below, a 15x7
wheel with a 205/65R-15
tire is considered the O.E. (original equipment) size. Converting to a
plus one size would mean increasing the wheel diameter by one inch (16x7.5)
and selecting an appropriate tire to fit
(225/55R-16).
Likewise, moving to a plus two fitment would result in a 17x8 wheel and a
245/45R-17 tire.
It is important to note that although the wheel diameter is increasing, the
overall diameter of the tire remains consistent.
Two things happen to the tire to increase performance when moving into
plus sizes. First, the tire becomes wider due to an increase in section
width. This provides a larger footprint and more contact with the
driving surface. Second, the aspect ratio is lower, resulting in a
shorter sidewall. The combination of these changes offers better
lateral stability and increased steering response.
