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20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i UPDATE

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:28 pm
by edges
UPDATE: Think i might have to use a 235/30-20 tires and get a engineers certificate would anyone know how much it would cost approximately?
I think its my best bet if i want to keep my 20's it allows me to get the correct load rating at a 6mm increase in diameter. 3mm over the 15 mm allowance


Ok confused at the moment insurance is getting me a new rim replacing a damaged rim but i went to jax's quick fix west gosford NSW
They told me my wheels tyres are both not load rated correctly (which is correct DAM TEMPE TYRES!) and telling me its illegal diameter also.
Then i thought off all the guys on here with 20 inch rims they have to be legal right?
So i just want to know how is my'n illegal? Other guys have them on there liberty.
What do i have to do to make them legal.
original wheels where 205/55R16 90v
car plate says :205/55R16 89V
:215/45R17 87W

Current tyres :225/30ZR20 85W XL

87W was my lowest load rating allowed

Any help will be greatly appreciated as i really don't want to take my wheels off for ever.

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:45 pm
by teK--
What state are you in? Firstly load rating of tyres must meet minimum as required on your tyre placard. Also the wheels themselves have load ratings too these must match the factory rating or exceed.

Other than that overall rolling diameter must not change more than a certain % over stock; you need to check the RTA regs in your state for the % figure. Also there is a limitation on how much wider the wheel can be over stock (usually 1")

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:48 pm
by edges
teK-- wrote:What state are you in? Firstly load rating of tyres must meet minimum as required on your tyre placard. Also the wheels themselves have load ratings too these must match the factory rating or exceed.

Other than that overall rolling diameter must not change more than a certain % over stock; you need to check the RTA regs in your state for the % figure. Also there is a limitation on how much wider the wheel can be over stock (usually 1")


Sorry i am in NSW
thanks for you help i just figure there are other with 20's so why are mine deemed illegal

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 12:55 pm
by teK--
20s aren't 20s :). There are different load ratings, different offsets and different widths (which either or both combined will modify the track of your vehicle)

here's a good summary:

http://www.toyo.com.au/TechInfoPDFs/Alt ... ations.pdf

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 1:17 pm
by DJC
thanks for you help i just figure there are other with 20's so why are mine deemed illegal


Simply because you got caught out.

Here are the RTA's views on Wheels:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/ ... 9_rev4.pdf

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 2:43 pm
by adhar
If you read the bottom of page 2 on that RTA link for minor changes (anything outside of this tolerance requires and engineers cert - see top of pg 3)

The outside diameter of the wheel and tyre combination must be no more than 15mm over the largest diameter
wheel and tyre combination specified for the vehicle and not more than 15mm below the smallest diameter wheel
and tyre combination specified for the vehicle.


I think this depends on how you read into the "specified for the vehicle". If it means your actual vehicle then you are definitely 15 mm bigger than your 16 inch stockies. But if it refers to the Subaru Liberty in general, then if i'm not mistaken the largest wheel that comes on our cars is an 18 inch wheel on the specB and STi's.

If you calculate the diameter difference between your 20's and the stock Subaru 18's then you are actually smaller by 8mm according to http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html which would be within the RTA's tolerance of 15mm.

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/km Difference
215/45-18 97mm 325mm 651mm 2044mm 489 0.0%
225/30-20 68mm 322mm 643mm 2020mm 495 -1.2%

So i guess you would need clarification on if they deem the size increase on the OEM size of you model, or the Liberty in general... I wouldn't fancy trying to explain that to the boys in blue though! :P

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:19 pm
by edges
adhar wrote:So i guess you would need clarification on if they deem the size increase on the OEM size of you model, or the Liberty in general... I wouldn't fancy trying to explain that to the boys in blue though! :P


I have to agree with you there

my main worry is actuly insurance. Boys in blue havnt given me trouble yet
Thanks for the links
I am hoping to get some 225/30/20 with a load rating of 27w or higher
I think then I am only 4 mm bigger in diameter.
Cheers Joel

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:09 pm
by Hobber

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:25 pm
by Arith
Also in NSW, I think by law it only allows for +1 for wheel upgrades. So if your car came with 16's, technically you're only allowed to upgrade to 17's. If your car came with 17's then 18's would be the legal limit etc. I've never heard of anyone getting a citation for such a technicality, but if the issuing person was in a bad mood, they could issue you a fine for it under the rules.

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:27 pm
by edges
Ok even if I run with the diameter as is.
I can't find a tire that is 225/30-20 with a load rating of 87 or higher.
No!
Looks like I might have to get enginer certain if I am going to run 20's
unless anyone knows anything else...

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 4:29 pm
by adhar
edges wrote:I think then I am only 4 mm bigger in diameter.
l


Well according to the tyre size calculator Hobber and i have linked to, your 20 inch tyres are only 11mm bigger than your 16 inch tyres it came with. I didn't even do the calculation on my last post as i thought the 16's would be way off, but due to the huge oem profile of 55 it is actually quite close.

So after looking at that i think you will be ok with the 20 inch wheels and tyres as long as your load rating is fine, as the 11mm increase is less than the 15mm tolerance according to the RTA.

edges wrote:original wheels where 205/55R16 90v
car plate says :205/55R16 89V
:215/45R17 87W

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i

PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:31 pm
by edges
adhar wrote:
So after looking at that i think you will be ok with the 20 inch wheels and tyres as long as your load rating is fine, as the 11mm increase is less than the 15mm tolerance according to the RTA.

very true.
Only if there was a load rated tire 225/30-20 87 or higher.
I havnt had any luck finding one.

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i UPDATE

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:10 pm
by Pyramidrocker
Dude im looking at getting the exact same rims. So glad i looked/joined this group.
How did you go?? What size tyres do i need when i purchase these bad boys?

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i UPDATE

PostPosted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:14 pm
by LOWLIB
hey mate.

pretty sure that you cant go more then 2 inches bigger then the stock size rim which is 17 inch im pretty sure. i used to have 20s on my wagon and i got defected in qld for it..

im not sure if this is the go in NSW but i know it is in qld so just thought i would throw it up for an option

Re: 20 inch rims illegal? liberty 2.0i UPDATE

PostPosted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:27 pm
by Pyramidrocker
So it's ok if i purchase 19''s but not 20''s?
I want 20''s! If i go with 20''s will i be running illegal wheels?
Half the info on this topic has gone in one ear and out the other, sorry.