Upsizing Tyres things to know

[ranagazoo]

So I've recently got myself a VW transporter t6.1 Highline and have a few questions regarding tyre size.

I've researched most things the best I can but for other things I can't seem to find a definite answer so I apologise if there is a thread already present on the forum but I really appreciate the expertise of the people here should you help me and not shoot me down.

I currently have the standard 16" fitted to my van and I think they look terrible so I want to get some 20".

I've looked on the Navis website and found the alloys and wheels I like the look of. They recommended 265/40/20 for ride comfort etc so think I'm sorted with wheel choice. I'm wary of the load rating etc so these are all good as a choice to go with as they meet the criteria. However I have a few concerns and questions still.

With bigger wheels does it affect parts such as gearbox and is there anything else that needs upgraded alongside the wheels?

How badly will the speedometer be affected and implications with this? Can it be easily recalibrated?

Anything else I should be worried about or wary of from your experience?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DaveD]

Welcome to the forum!
All of the answers to your questions are here, have a browse through some of these threads;

Search results for query: 20

www.t6forum.com

Enjoy your new van!

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

There’s a website which I can’t find shows you what wheel/tyre change looks like and how it affects Speedo
18s are best of both 20s are a bit extreme and don’t ride as well

 

[JOG]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

The first thing to consider is what you want to achieve. If it is to “fill” wheel arch for aesthetic reasons, there is more than wheel/tyre size to consider. If it is a comfort consideration, then size and suspension matter. What you will be using the van for is the biggest consideration: a work horse that carries load, a daily driver, a future conversion to camper etc.

Measure from the wheel centre to wheel arch all round - is the van sitting properly? If not, that needs sorting first.

Wheel-wise, anything less than 17” rims is pants as it doesn’t allow you improve your brakes - another massive subject in itself! Overall rolling circumference does impact speedo accuracy and gear train load, so don’t depart from the norm too much.

I don’t know where in the country you are but there are many respected traders on this forum who can help you. @Dav-Tec @CRS Performance @The Van Cave

 

[JOG]

There’s a website which I can’t find shows you what wheel/tyre change looks like and how it affects Speedo
18s are best of both 20s are a bit extreme and don’t ride as well

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

 

[The Van Cave]

So I've recently got myself a VW transporter t6.1 Highline and have a few questions regarding tyre size.

I've researched most things the best I can but for other things I can't seem to find a definite answer so I apologise if there is a thread already present on the forum but I really appreciate the expertise of the people here should you help me and not shoot me down.

I currently have the standard 16" fitted to my van and I think they look terrible so I want to get some 20".

I've looked on the Navis website and found the alloys and wheels I like the look of. They recommended 265/40/20 for ride comfort etc so think I'm sorted with wheel choice. I'm wary of the load rating etc so these are all good as a choice to go with as they meet the criteria. However I have a few concerns and questions still.

With bigger wheels does it affect parts such as gearbox and is there anything else that needs upgraded alongside the wheels?

How badly will the speedometer be affected and implications with this? Can it be easily recalibrated?

Anything else I should be worried about or wary of from your experience?

Thanks in advance.

The 265/40 is a good choice overall and won't affect the speedo enough that you need to worry about it being recalibrated. Recalibrating the speedo can be done via VCDS, although it can't be changed back again on the T6.1, but you don't need to worry. Your speedo will over read slightly from factory and the relatively small difference in rolling radius between your original size and the 265/40 will mean that the speedo will be very close to reading your actual speed with the new wheels and tyres.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Hi. I have 17’s Navis off THQ and very pleased. Re speedo, yes it will be affected. (I have T6.1 HL too)

There are threads on here I’ve read relating to changing ‘Wheel Circumference Variant’ with varying success as to how it affects Speedo. (As I say this is for a T6.1).

Once you have your wheels and tyres go onto “will they fit.com” and input your wheel and tyre details to obtain rolling circumference in mm. You’ll need a diagnostic tech or such to plug into the OBD with a ‘Full OEM compatible Diagnostic Programme’. My mate owns a Bosch Service Centre so has just this. I’m not sure if basic VCDS will cut it??? Others will confirm or deny. Access the following menu. (We wrote it down so we could easily find it again!!)

‘PARK STEER ASSIST’

Within this menu is the ACTUAL wheel and tyre rolling circumference. (Mine was 2150 mm from factory with standard 16” Alloys).
Make a note of your original number incase you put back to stock.

Input new Rolling Circumference as found above.

Save and exit.

Hey presto sorted. (I then checked with GPS and was slightly out by a couple of mph so I tweaked again by a few mm to get spot on )

Can easily be changed depending what wheels you have throughout the year. (Thinking winter tyres etc).

HTH.