Replacement Tires to Enhance Ride Comfort?

[Titanium4WD]

I have done some research online (Tirerack.com, etc) but wondering if anyone has butt-in-seat experience with alternate tires vs OEM that provide a smoother ride and/or less road noise. I don't need go-kart like handling, just looking for an enhancement to up the comfort level a notch.

 

[Harvick]

When I had my Focus, I switched from Pirelli to Continental ExtremeContact and they were much quieter, I plan on doing the same with the Ecosport when the tires wear down.

 

[Titanium4WD]

That's funny - I will be going from a Focus to the Ecosport when the lease is up. Really want the Ecosport but am looking to polish a few of the rough edges.

 

[CajunTitanium]

The other option is to go down to a 16" wheel and get taller tires for more comfort.

 

[Titanium4WD]

I did something called upsizing (I think) on a previous car that seemed to work well. An option here?

 

[ATXEcosport]

The SES and Titanium come standard with 17". All other other trims come with 16". I can tell you from test driving the 16" its seems a bit smoother but its not that noticeable. I ended up getting the SES with 17" and the ride is quality great.

 

[snowman]

I'm running 17" too, no problems with comfort. Do you feel it's just too harsh or too noisy?

 

[Titanium4WD]

Not necessarily, just always interested in ways to minimize NVH in smaller vehicles.

 

[Koko07]

Not sure why Ford would put low profile tires on an SUV. My size is 205/50R17. I do not want to go to a smaller tire, 16. I want to keep my wheels that I have, 17. I want an TALLER tire on this 17 wheel. Is there anyway to go to 205/65R17 or 215/70R17 etc? All the tables are concerned with MATCHING the size tire to keep the speedo correct. I do not care about that. I want more tire and air between me and the road.

 

[Alfredoavada]

http://healthex.eu/ moftcromeDormafrub

 

[cuemark8]

Did you make a purchase yet?
I've questioning similar things in 2 other posts.

First, on the S and SE trim they come equiped with 205/60/16 wheels and tires.
That a taller tire than the setup with the SES and Titanium trim with 205/50/17 wheels and tires.

Outside diameter of the 205/60/16 tire is 25.7 inches tall.
Outside diameter of the 205/50/17 tires is
25.0 inches tall.

That's a significant difference. Not sure if speedo and odometer were calibrated differently? I doubt it!
But it's a different of 2.49%. Typically general rule of thumb switching tires if no more or less 3% difference.

Since sidewall height is a percentage of tread width. IE. a 50 series tire that's 8" wide tread would have sidewall 50% of width. IE. 4" high side wall.

I didn't catch what trim level you have. Titanium trim level use a 17x7" wheel. The SES uses a 17x7.5" wheel unique to the SES trim. That said, you should be able to go to wider tire if you wish. A 215/50/17 tire or 225/50/17 may be acceptable. They are wider and may smooth the bumps. Both would also be taller even though sidewall series is the same.
A 215/50/17 tire would be 25.5 " tall.
A 225/50/17 tire would be 25.9" tall.
Both tires would fit either rim width within tolerances of tire manufacturers.

A 205/55/17 tire measures in also at 25.9 " tall. Slightly taller than OEM 205/60/16 tire.
I think it would fit without issues and give you a better ride.

Personally, I think going wider and taller at the same time gives you the best edge for smoothing out bumps.

205/60/17, 205/65/17. Absolutely no chance I see a tire that size fitting!

Don't go to aggressive. Different tires sizes affect ABS, wheel sensors, Traction control, and speedometer, and odometer readings.

A larger tire, probably will sap some fuel economy because of a higher rolling resistance.

A larger tire takes more power and torque to turn also. A larger tire may make a noticeable difference in acceleration.

The Ford Ecosport does not an extra abundance of power or torque to turn larger tires.

In time, when I need new tires, I was considering also going to a 215/50/17 or 225/50/17 tire or even a 225/45/17 tire. All for similar reasons you ask about. More sidewall for a smoother ride. There is a significant more selection of tires available in the 215/50/17 and 225/50/17 sizes compared to the 205/50/17 size, which isn't all that common.

I just switch to a winter tire set and went with 205/60/16 tires on 16" wheels OEM wheels from a Ford Fiesta. Those wheels have a 47.5 mm offset while all of the Ford Ecosport wheels have a 37.5 mm offset.
My winter tires and wheels are set in closer to the Strut tower by about 4mm. Those Fiesta wheels are 6.5" wide wheel. There is reasonable clearance so I feel comfortable believing a 215 or 225 width tire would fit just fine using the OEM 17" wheels.

I am not a mechanic. Just an average DYIer

One more thing, If you search winter tires at Tirerack, their experts list a wider 215/55/16 tire as an optional winter tire setup for the Ecosport.

Hope this helps.



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