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Wheels & Tires Series · Part 2 · Tires
Classic VW Tire Size Guide
What the PROs run on 15″ and 17″ wheels on a lowered Beetle or Ghia, front and rear.
Wheels & Tires Series · Classic VW
Part 2 · You are here
Tire sizes
What to run on 15″ and 17″
01 · Quick answer
It depends on your wheel
Quick answer
On 17″ wheels from 6.5″ to 7.5″ wide, run a 205/40R17 up front and a 215/45R17 in the rear. On 15″ wheels, the front is a 165/60R15 or a 135SR15, and the rear depends on whether you want height or grip.
02 · Front
Front tires on a lowered VW
| Wheel | Tire | Look |
|---|---|---|
| 15x4.5 | P165/60R15 | One of two front options |
| 15x4.5 | P135SR15 | One of two front options |
| 15x5.5 | P165/60R15 | Looks fine |
| 15x5.5 | P135SR15 | Looks more stretched |
| 17x6.5–7.5 | P205/40R17 | Our 17″ front pick |
P135SR15 is a metric radial, comparable to a 135/80R15.
03 · Rear
Rear tires: height or grip
| Wheel | Tire | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 15x4.5 | 165SR15 (factory) | More height |
| 15x4.5 | P185/60R15 | More tread on the ground for braking and grip |
| 15x5.5 | P185/60R15 | Looks nice |
| 15x5.5 | P205/65R15 | Meaty and extra aggressive |
| 17x6.5–7.5 | P215/45R17 | Our 17″ rear pick |
04 · Whitewalls
Like white walls?
05 · FAQ
Tire size questions
What tires go on 17″ Smoothies?
A 205/40R17 up front and a 215/45R17 in the rear. Specs for the wheels are in Part 4: Smoothie tech sheet.
Is P135SR15 a real size?
Yes. It's a metric radial, comparable to a 135/80R15.
Height or grip in the rear?
The factory 165SR15 gives more height. A 185/60R15 puts more tread on the ground for braking and grip.
Will it rub?
Tire size is only part of it. See Part 1: Wheel fitment for the fender gap math.
Process — Not Parts — Determines Performance