I am looking at getting 19" rims but I don't want to get low profile tires, is that possible on a 2007 touring convertible without mods?

I often see these specs: 245/35-19 (front), 275/35-19 (rear)

Can I get 45's, for example, instead: 245/45-19 (front), 275/45-19 (rear)

 

Not a good idea. 25, 35 or 45 series is not significant. What is significant is overall tire height. I recommend that you do not deviate from OEM tire height.

 

You can put a 40" baja on those wheels if you wanted to. If you don't want to run a low profile tire then I suggest getting 18's instead.

Even with 18's you should get a 275/40/18 in the rear, this way the tire height is close to stock and won't screw up any of the cars electronics.

 

If you stray to far from reccommended sizes your VDC will not be happy

 

not sure if you are joking or not but those numbers are the sidewall height.

for 19" wheels the 35 tires will be fine. putting the 45 ones you want will throw your speedometer way off, yoru gas mileage will suck, and your TCS will go crazy. plus you are going to be hard pressed to find a tire that is "pot-hole proof" like you want. those do not exist.

 

^ he's not joking.

25, 35, or 45 series don't refer to sidewall height exactly. They are an aspect ratio of the tire that accounts for the sidewall height. For example: the sidewall on a 245/35/19 tire is smaller than a 275/35/19.

 

^Correct.
245/35 total sidewall is 6.75"
275/35 total sidewall is 7.58"

 

to everything said here.

DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT getting a 45/19 tire, that is ridiculous and not even close to stock specs. Even if you don't have VDC it will look absolutely stupid.

 

Here, check this calculator to put in your factory tire set up and the setup you are suggesting, it really is absurd.

http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

 

You could/should consider a set of runflats (like Bridgestone RE050A RFT). The sidewalls are reinforced, which will protect your 19" wheels. I also have some for sale.

 

If you don't plan on making pothole-dodging your new favorite hobby, then I don't recommend putting 19" wheels and tires on this car.

Even hitting a pothole with my winter 17" setup (225/50/17) is a jarring experience.

 

ah, gotcha. realized i was only partially right now thanks for pointing it out. but that is known that a different width tire has a different sidewall size, thought he aspect number is the same.
and by saying "do not deviate from OEM tire height" those us of us that have changed from stock are all wrong. that is what i was mainly referring to as being a joke.

 

^^ You got it right, ...but "second time around."

Just kidding with you a little since I realize that you understand the concept.

--Spike

 

I would like to respond to your question. I’m in Minnesota where the very low temperature during winter means you are dealing with deep potholes in the spring. I understand.

Potholes + low profile tires=possibly blown tires and bent rims.

• If you mount 245/35-19” F and 275/35-19” R, you’re right on (OD= 25.8” F and 26.7” R)
  
• If you mount 245/45-19” F and 275/45-19” R, you are way off (OD=27.7” F and 28.7” R)

Yikes, the 45 profile for the widths you ask about are 2 inches over the stock overall diameter. You can expect all sorts of problems with this excessive deviation from stock. Nothing (including VDC, TCS, ABS, and the car’s computer) will work as expected.

--Spike

 

Pot holes suck @$$, buy a beater

 

Great advice

I run a 285/35/19 in the rear and my VDC doesn't freak out. Speedo is within a mph instead of the 2-3 with stock.

 

^^ I agree. For the life of me I cannot understand why so many people here advise driving a "beater."

Your suggestion for a wider tire definitely helps when negotiating streets with potholes.

My winter setup is 225’s (a good size for studless snow tires), and they often catch a pothole delivering a substantial shock.

My summer setup is wider, and I often ride the edge or just go over a pothole. And, if you do hit a pothole, the wider tire does a better job of distributing the impact across its larger contact surface.

--Spike

 

What makes you think a tire with a softer sidewall protect your wheel more than one with a stiffer sidewall?

 

Sidewall stiffness stiff or flexible), by itself, won’t necessarily protect your wheels from damage. It’s the “cushioning-factor” that the tires provide. For example:

• A higher profile tire (e.g., 225/55-17”) will provide better protection than a lower profile tire (225/45-18”) when running tires with the same sidewall stiffness.
• Wider tires (245 or greater width vs. 225) might help by riding the edge of a pothole, running over the top of a narrow pothole, or simply absorbing the shock more evenly by distributing it over a wider surface area. Of course you cannot depend upon this since potholes come in any size.
• Determining wheel protection as a factor of sidewall stiffness along with profile (sidewall height) is a rather complicated calculation which is difficult to verify.

I might be missing your point since I don’t see anyone mention sidewall stiffness on this thread other than your comment and the comment about run-flat tires.

--Spike

 

Always happy to help. If you have other questions please do not hesitate to waste my time.