california tire width regulations

[oIIIIo]

i was just wondering what is the law on tire width on cars? i have a stock yj wit 2.5 lift wrap with 33 12.5 15
still has finder flares on.

[swbooking]

Tire width?

I dont think theres a law on it... As long as your fenders cover most of the tire you should be fine.

I run 35x12.5x15 on 15x10 wheels and they stick out about 3-4 inches from my fenders (no flares) and ive never even been questioned about it.

[peteyg]

Technically, you cannot have any tire extending outside the edge of the fender flare. Your flares can be as wide as you want to accomplish this, up to a total vehicle width of 102"

In practice, you will get hassled for Mud Flaps by the CHP if you have about more than one tread lug width sticking out, and city cops will leave you alone.

My Jeep is now a rolling ticket magnet, since my 14.5" wide tires are 100% outside the body lines. I threw the rear flares on for appearances, but it's not gonna fool anyone. I absolutely despise super-wide flares, though, so I'd rather get the ticket...

[jimmyrig]

I think it also depends where you live! The law is the same but the cops do not care as much in areas.

[avjeepfreek]

Hey Larry, Welcome to MJR!

As far as the tires go, the City cops around here wont bug you about it but CHP might, it just depends on the Officer pulling you over!

I wouldn't worry to much about it! I've been running my 33x12.5's forever and they usually don't even give me a second look!

See ya, Scott

[OU812]

It’s what they call a selective enforcement law. Meaning, USUALY if you are not being pulled over for something else and you are not an a-hole to the cop you’ll be fine. I use 33/10.5 BFGs and they stick out a bit. I don’t have a front license plate on either. I am sure there are a few things that they could gripe about on my rig but they don’t.
-Scott

[Giffer]

ive got 35x14.5's on my rig and i get pulled over quite often up here in canada. i just tell them
"some a hole stole them and there on back order. what am i going to do, walk the 5 blocks to the store??" works everytime.

[Ol Man]

...and from the vehicle code:


Fenders and Mudguards
27600. No person shall operate any motor vehicle having three or more wheels,
any trailer, or semitrailer unless equipped with fenders, covers, or devices,
including flaps or splash aprons, or unless the body of the vehicle or
attachments thereto afford adequate protection to effectively minimize the spray
or splash of water or mud to the rear of the vehicle and all such equipment or
such body or attachments thereto shall be at least as wide as the tire tread.
This section does not apply to those vehicles exempt from registration, trailers
and semitrailers having an unladen weight of under 1,500 pounds, or any vehicles
manufactured and first registered prior to January 1, 1971, having an unladen
weight of under 1,500 pounds.

[Matt2001TJ]

I think it also depends where you live! The law is the same but the cops do not care as much in areas.

True,... if you live in the high desert the cops don't care. Same thing with covers on the off road lights.