Wheels are the most important parts that keep our vehicle moving on the road. Choosing the best wheel size from the available options is not easy.
Do you need to choose the right wheel size for your vehicle from the 15 vs 17 inch wheels option? It can take a lot of time if you lack proper guidelines, so I have put this quick guide for your help.
Both 15″ and 17″ wheels provide optimal performance for their users. They have some visible differences between them based on their structure, performance, appearance, benefits, and other features.
The following table will give you a quick guide to the possible differences between these two wheels. So, let’s land on the next parts to gather complete knowledge about the 15″ and 17″ wheels.
Comparison table of 15 vs 17 Inch wheels
| Characteristics | 15 inch wheel | 17 inch wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Sidewall height | 6’’ | 4.5’’ |
| Material | Alloy | Alloy |
| Weight | Light-weight (12-22 pounds) | Heavy (13.25-30 pounds) |
| Wheel size | 15 inch | 17 inch |
| Bolt pattern | 4 or 5 holes | 4, 5, 6, or 8 holes |
| Sidewall flex | Extra sidewall flex | Stiffer sidewall |
| Wheel width | 6-6.5’’ | 6-8’’ |
| Backspace | 5-5.92’’ | 5.6-7’’ |
| Ride | Smooth ride | Harsh ride |
| Handling | Poor handling | Great handling |
| Wheel offset | 30-50 millimeters | 35-65 millimeters |
| Performance | good performance | great performance |
| Noise | Quieter | Noisy |
| Clearance | Poor clearance | Better clearance |
| Load index rating | 80-90 | 235 |
| Load range | C | D,E |
| Price | Budget friendly | Slight Costly |
Discussion on distinctive features of 15- vs. 17-inch wheels:
There are several differences between the 15″ and 17″ wheel’s features. You can choose the right wheel size by considering the following details about these features. You will be able to identify the best option for your vehicle after comparing these features side-by-side.
Sidewall height
A 15 inch wheel has a different sidewall height than a 17 inch wheel. For example, a 15 inch wheel features a 6″ sidewall height, while a 17-inch wheel comes with a 4.5″ sidewall height. The extra sidewall height offers 15 inch wheels more space between you and the road.
Material
Now let me talk about the material of the 15″ and 17″ wheels. A 15 inch wheel is constructed with alloy steel to offer maximum durability for its users. Similarly, a 17″ wheel is also constructed with alloy steel to provide maximum durability and long life.
Moreover, alloy materials make these two wheels strong enough to easily perform heavy-duty tasks.
Weight
Another distinctive feature of these two wheels is their weight. For example, a 15″ wheel comes with a lightweight feature and can weigh 12-22 pounds. On the contrary, a 17″ wheel has more weight and can be around 13.25-30 pounds.
As a result, this extra weight will impact your car’s overall performance and will burn more fuel to run than the smaller wheels.
Wheel size
There is a huge and crystal clear difference between the size of 15″ and 17″ wheels. A 15 inch wheel is literally 2 inches smaller than a 17” wheel.
Smaller wheels provide more sidewall flex than bigger wheels. Choose the right size wheel based on your vehicle and the requirements on which surfaces you will ride most.
Bolt pattern
If you compare the bolt pattern between these two wheels, there are some noticeable differences in their bolt pattern.
A 15 inch wheel comes with a bolt pattern of
4 or 5 holes, while a 17 inch wheel comes with a 4,5,6, or 8 holes bolt pattern. I hope you can decide which bolt pattern will best fit your car without any difficulty.
Sidewall flex
Small wheels offer increased sidewall height than larger wheels. If you look closely, you will see the difference between the sidewall height of these two wheels.
The increased sidewall height of a 15″ wheel provides extra flex on rocky or uneven roads to ensure safe travel for your car. On the other hand, a 17″ wheel comes with a stiffer sidewall that is perfect for off-roading vehicles.
Wheel width
If you compare the wheel width of these two wheels side-by-side, there is a huge dissimilarity between them. A 15 inch wheel has a 6-6.5’’ wheel width that lets you install larger tires to improve handling and have a good hold onto.
On the other hand, a 17 inch wheel features 6-8″ width ranges to offer great handling, stability, and maneuverability against off-road terrain.
Backspace
The backspace between these two wheels differs from each other. A 15″ wheel’s backspace can range from 5-5.92’’, while a 17 ” wheel’s backspace can come in 5.6-7’’. The difference between the backspacing of these two wheels has its own improved cornering ability.
Ride
Small wheels offer the smoothest ride because they have more shock-absorbing ability than the larger wheels. For example, a 15 inch wheel provides a more comfortable riding experience, while a 17 inch wheel will provide a comparatively harsh riding experience for its users.
Handling
A 15 inch wheel requires low-profile tires that come with poor handling ability against paved surfaces. It can easily wear and tear in challenging weather conditions as well. In comparison, a 17 inch wheel requires a higher profile tire than the smaller wheels.
As a result, its improved tread tire offers great handling on paved surfaces. It also ensures more durability in challenging weather conditions.
Wheel offset
Extra wheel offset ensures great clearance for its users. Similarly, a 15 inch wheel features a wheel offset of 30 -50 millimeters that offers excellent clearance and saves your vehicle from scratches.
However, a 17″ wheel also comes with a great wheel offset of 35-65 millimeters to offer maximum clearance to avoid unwanted scratches on your vehicle.
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