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the DX and LX trims come with 14" rims 185-70-14 tires. the EX comes with 15" 185-65-15. did honda do this just to save money? or because the DX and LX come with non-vtec engines? or both? i wanna get 17"ers- and i realize that the bodies on LX,DX, and EXs are all the same, therefore the wheel wells are probably the same size. Can my LX handle 17" tires?
i kno that sounds stupid considering there are plenty of LXs with 17"s on this site- i mean, honda doesnt do this stuff'just because' right? will my gas efficiency go out the window?

im not going to be lowering my ride this summer (unless the wheel gap makes me so sick that i work like a maniac to afford a GOOD drop)- so my biggest concern is wheel gap. the step system tells me that i should go with a 205-45-17 tire. but the guy at the shop told me i really sohuld consider 215-40-17s because theyre so much more common and more readily available, etc. but- i know this will throw my speedometer off, so ima littler weary.. tho i know it will throw it off in a good way (my mileage wont be as high as it should be), and itll fill the gap nicer (tho its filling it as if my car were an EX, right?). what do you guys think? falcon Z-tires were what we decided on, are those okay?

thx

 
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1st paragraph: you have the right ideas. Smaller tires are usually cheaper + larger tires/wheels do the same thing for the manufacturer as WE are trying to do by upgrading. Think about it--when was the last time you saw any car manufacturer offer their "premium" model or handling package with a smaller tire?

Depending on the type of tire you purchase, Gas mileage MAY not be as good when you change over, just because you are putting on a wider tire that could have a stickier tread compound. The only good thing about the stock tires is their low rolling resistance (because they are hard little black non-handling donuts )

Don't worry, there are a ton of LX's & DX's with 17's 18's 19's (mine has 17's)

2nd paragraph: I think most people here have gone 215/40 in the past, but you are right about 205/45 being a perfect replacement as far as diameter. 205/45 is becoming more common & I wouldn't hesitate unless you just gotta have a wider tire.

I believe you are backwards about the 215 filling the gap better. Go back to the tire calculator! The 215/40 is wider & shorter so you would have a bit MORE gap.

Don't know nothin' about Falkens, but I bet somebody else on here can help you!