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Given that those Conti's have nearly an inch taller sidewall (1/2 the 1.9 inch total diameter increase), I think the reason they don't rub is due to a combination of tread width, tire shape and wheel offset.
I've been documenting details related to how and why bigger tire/wheel combos rub, which I will share in another post.
I experience rubbing at a seam/wheel well liner bump at the lower-rear of the front wheel well (not too different from where rubbing commonly occurred on the Gen1 Ridgeline). In this case the outer rear corner of the tire rubs at full lock. It's not the side of the tire, it's the actual OD, which swings across and into the wheel well bump.
Here are the OEM and Conti tire specs for comparison:
Firestone Destination LE2 245/60R18 105H SL
(data from tirerack, unless noted)
UTQG: 520 A A (data indicated on tire)
Max Load: 2,039 lbs.
Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
Tread Depth: 11/32”
Tire Weight: 31 lbs.
Rim Width Range: 7-8.5”
Meas. Rim Width: 7”
Sect. Width: 9.8”
Tread Width: 7.9”
Overall Diameter: 29.6”
Revs. Per Mile: 704
Country of origin: US
Continental Crosscontact LX20 265/65R18 114S SL
(data from manufacturer and tirerack)
UTQG: 740 A B
Max Load: 2,601 lbs.
Max Inflation Pressure: 44 psi
Tread Depth: 12/32”
Tire Weight: 31 lbs.
Rim Width Range: 7.5-9.5”
Meas. Rim Width: 8”
Sect. Width: 10.7”
Tread Width: 8.1”
Overall Diameter: 31.5”
Revs. Per Mile: 659
Country of origin: US
So even while the Conti is quite a bit taller, the tread width is only 2/10th's of an inch wider, the edge of the tire is rounded, and, more importantly, the chrome-look wheel offset is still 55mm. That greater offset translates to pulling the tire/wheel inward, towards the hub and away from the inner wheel well at full lock (towards the hub, moving ~45º diagonally from the back wall of the lower wheel well), effectively pulling it away from the area where I note rubbing to occur.
Thus, my informed outlook is that if you choose to install bigger tires (translated as either or both taller and more massive), there are a few primary factors to consider in your overall compromise:
Wheel Offset
Tread Width
Tire Edge Shape
You may be able to push the odds on one or two of those elements, but if you push all of them AND go larger in diameter and/or increased mass, you are probably gonna RUB.
And, obviously, if you are close to rubbing and you install tire chains, you will likely tear the crap out of the plastic inner wheel wheel liner.
That's where you may want to be careful when relying on a "tire guy's" guarantee. Not rubbing and full OEM operational expectations are differing requirements.
Since you seem to know a lot about this stuff or have done your research can I ask you a question? I have a 17 ridgeline, stock everything currently. I have been thinking about a lift down the road but haven't decided yet. Currently I am looking for new tires and have been torn between several options. However due to the cost of some of them I am currently looking at the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus 265/60 R18. They are very similar in spec to the Continental tires you reference except they are 1" smaller in diameter. I was worried about the width of 10.7" being an issue for rubbing. Do you think these tires will fit without rubbing or will that be an issue? Just curious on your thoughts. Thank you for any help you may be on this matter!
