New tires and Speedometers/Odometers

If you have a car made after 96, your mechanic should be able to change the tire size in the car's computer using an ODB reader. If the car is older than that the car will have to be evaluated on an individual basis by someone who knows what they are doing; sometimes the sensors can be repositioned or recalibrated to correct the discrepancy.

If it's an older car, sometimes it's as much as replacing the gear inside the trans. This is generally the cars with the cable speedometers.

Why changing the tire size?

It's an '03 Sonata. It's my wife's car and I want to get her into a tire with a little more cushion for the road. Right now it's on 205 60 16s and it rides pretty rough. I'm thinking 215 65 16, which I believe will still have travel room in the wheel well. If not, then I will go with 215 60 16, which I know will fit.

talk with someone you trust for tires. Instead of going with a different size, try a smoother tread pattern. More aggressive tread gives a rougher ride while a tire designed more for highway travel gives a smoother ride.

That's the age-old problem - she needs the more aggressive tread for wet and snow traction but we want to smooth the ride. If I could afford two sets of tires for the car, I would go that route, but as it stands we need to find an acceptable one-off alternative. Thanks for the suggestion though!

This is an interesting thread. I did not know there was an issue with odometer/speedometer with new tires. I just put on snow tires on my Mustang GT and I did not know those things had to be put into sync...UUUGH... Is this for all cars/vehicles? Would Tireman have done that automatically or should I now call and ask them?

Provided you bought the same size tire as was previously installed, you are fine. This is only an issue if you want to change the tire size. In that case, the larger (or smaller) diameter of the tire fools the car into thinking it is traveling slower (or faster) than reality.

Thanks MoreThanRhetoric, that makes it clearer. I will remember that when I do go to put on larger rims and tires- I have 17's but the 19 year old is baggering me to get 20's!