Tire Size Recommendations for 16" x 8" Rims

The 245/50-16 is perfect for a 16X8 -- just about the same height as the stock 225/55-16, and the 245mm section width is a perfect match for the 8" wide wheel. I'd put the same size all around. While the rear has to deal with the engine's torque, the fronts have to turn a car that has around 57% of it's weight on the front end, and they have to provide about 80% of the stopping force the car can generate. Don't reduce the front size.....

Rich - the missing variable in your discussion is the offset/backspacing of the wheel you're putting on. If the 16X8" wheel is sized properly in terms of backspace, interference with the fender shouldn't be a problem. People run that size and larger without clearance issues - IF the wheel is sized properly (backspace). Besides, if the 16X8" wheel is sitting too far outboard, dropping down to a 225 section tire isn't gonna reduce the section width that much once you put it on the 8" rim. You might think it would sit 10mm (1/2 of the difference between 225 and 245) further away from the fender, but that won't be the case.

The potential issue is your wheel backspacing, not so much the section width of the tire. Get the right wheel to support the tire size you need. And you really could use a 245 section tire on the front.