I'm thinking about going with 215/60/15, vs. my stock 205/65/15's I know it' will change the calibration of my speedometer, and while a wider tread will be better in the summer, the midwest winter mixed with a wider tread will make traction worse. Anyone have any perspectives on how much worse the wider tire will be in the winter months? Also, how serious is the impact of speedometer calibration?

 

your speedo will be off but hardly. the formula is:
stock tire revolutions per mile (i think 892 on ours)/new tire revolutions per mile (tire shop should know) multiplied by speedometer speed=actual speed. you can also do this:
(new tire diameter x indicated speed)/old tire diameter=actual speed.
i have no idea about winter tires since i live in los angeles, but i have never heard of anyone getting 205/60/15's on their ES or camry. if you are going to change it, might as well make it noticeable.

 

Thanks for the info. I would like to at least upgrade to 17's, but don't wanna do it before the winter, and really need new rubber before the first snowfall. Anyway, I think the widest I can go on an ES is 215... Isn't that the max allowed???

 

well ill tell you one thing i didnt have a good experience with 215's on my sister 2000 platinum millenium edition es 300. the stoopid store said that some 215/65/16's would work but they rubbed all the time the way i drive. the even dropped em to 215/60/16's and they rubbed when i parked hard and fast.
Just make sure they arent gonna rub. Well i live in the mountains and the wider tire was recommended for winter grip because of the snow but i dunno bout the midwest.