natwitgudvib

I have a Mazda 3 GT Sport was wondering if it would affect the suspension to put 18s on the back and 17s on the front? Thanks for the answer in advance. ya im that new!

djs2571

no suspension issues - but you'll **** off the ABS system if the tire outer diameter is different from front to rear (causing different wheel speed readings).
On a general note, I think that would look a bit strange.

natwitgudvib

Thanks for the reply. I want to use 18s but i know if I put 18s on the front my mazda will lose RPMs. If its gonna mess with the ABS I wont do it.

DxC

Why would a larger tire cause you to lose RPMs?

natwitgudvib

When i was living in florida thats what i was hearing from those drag racers. Who race civics and those other imports. They would usually have a stock rim on the front and a big rim on the back it looked kind of nice to me.

djs2571

Larger tire means a lower rotation per minute to get to the same speed- which translates to the RPM of the engine as well.
You can do different rim sizes, but you'd have to get a lower profile tire with the larger rim so that the outer tire diameter is the same - keeping the RPM of the front tires the same as the rear - which keeps the ABS system working properly.
Now if you REALLY like that look, you can disable the ABS / traction control system - though that is a big safety feature of a modern vehicle that you are simply bypassing.

I've heard that you can disable that by holding down the traction control on / off when starting the car, though I haven't tried it.

Mediarocker

Those guys are stupid.

I know the RWD Drag racers do this, and its to increase the rear stance of the vehicle for traction. There is no need to do this act on a FWD car..... In fact it makes a car look like something its not. RWD.

I've seen guys run slicks on the front wheels, and while it looks stupid on the street, it provides some real advantages on the strip.

Keep your rim sizes the same, run the same tires, and lower it. You'll be much happier. You'll get alot of flack from other auto enthusiasts for putting larger wheels on the back when you have front drive wheels.

You can run larger rims all around.. and you wont "lose rpm's" if you size the tires correctly. IIRC, 3% is the margin of speed allowable difference for ABS vehicles. But to be sure I wouldn't let more than 1%. You should only worry about "loosing RPM's" if you decide to run 31" tires... which you're not.

DxC

Does anyone know if going +1 with a wheel and lower profile tires will affect the tmps sensor if I were to buy them for new wheels? Would I have to reset the system?

Mediarocker

TPMS systems are just pressure detectors. you should be fine if you have the sensors changed over by pros. Reason I say that is you have to work differently with the wheel when you are popping the bead or you can break the sensor. If you're careful you'll be fine.

djs2571

Just don't change the rims yourself - that should prevent the TPMS units from being broken. You can switch them yourself, just make sure they seal - use an appropriate gasket / oring for the job.
If there's a chance you need a set of winter tires, you can get a second set of TPMS units off ebay - I got some off of an earlier model 3 and they work just fine. You may be able to ask the dealer or someone else on this forum if the mazda 6 has the same style - figured they should.
The tire diameter, rim material, tire material - none of that effects the TPMS. You just have to make sure they mount securely in the rim, as some rims are moulded differently on the inside.

eggynatey

I took the 16x6.5 stock wheels off of my protege5 and put on a set of 18.7.5s. There's a little town outside of Santa Cruz that has one of those electronic signs that tell you your speed, and mine is about 2 MPH off at 60mph. My speedo says 60 and I'll be doing 62.

It's all about the aspect ratio of your tires.

DOMENIC

I am looking for 4 rims for my mazda 3, 5 lug. if anyone has any email me at domenic.settimo@nyct.com