View Full Version : snow tire size - 16 vs 17?
maestro
06-09-2008, 10:57 PM
I am looking to get a set of rims for the winter, and have in my head for some reason that smaller rims + tires would be better...Am I just crazy? or will a set of 17's perform just the same?
MugsyTheGr8
06-10-2008, 12:00 AM
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=126
oldskoofame
06-10-2008, 02:51 AM
I am looking to get a set of rims for the winter, and have in my head for some reason that smaller rims + tires would be better...Am I just crazy? or will a set of 17's perform just the same?
size shouldn't matter so much. Just be sure you fit it with snow (or all season) tires and keep the psi a bit lower. If you look at all the vehicles made for snow, it's got small wheels and fat tires. On the wet, put in some more air to keep the tread grooves separating the water.
I think in racing they treat snow just like gravel when it comes to choosing tires.
shanewdude
06-10-2008, 03:55 AM
size shouldn't matter so much. Just be sure you fit it with snow (or all season) tires and keep the psi a bit lower. If you look at all the vehicles made for snow, it's got small wheels and fat tires. On the wet, put in some more air to keep the tread grooves separating the water.
I think in racing they treat snow just like gravel when it comes to choosing tires.
Have you always lived in Socal? You don't want wide tires for snow, they tend to "float" on the snow more, so I think 16's would be better. I'm thinking 15's for the winter (195/65/15). Tires are way cheaper than 17's.
Chazwick05
06-10-2008, 04:12 AM
Have you always lived in Socal? You don't want wide tires for snow, they tend to "float" on the snow more, so I think 16's would be better. I'm thinking 15's for the winter (195/65/15). Tires are way cheaper than 17's.
15s are 195/60/15, and yes, the narrower the better (generally speaking). that way the tires "cut" through the snow instead of riding on top of it like shanewdude said. dunno why you're searching for snows now though, it's june! :mbiggrin:
shanewdude
06-10-2008, 04:24 AM
15s are 195/60/15, and yes, the narrower the better (generally speaking). that way the tires "cut" through the snow instead of riding on top of it like shanewdude said. dunno why you're searching for snows now though, it's june! :mbiggrin:
I did the math again... 65 aspect ratio is closer to the stock diameter. Any reason not to use 195/65/15? And yah, June... talk about being prepared early!
Chazwick05
06-10-2008, 04:31 AM
I did the math again... 65 aspect ratio is closer to the stock diameter. Any reason not to use 195/65/15? And yah, June... talk about being prepared early!
195/60/15 is the stock diameter for 02/03 ep model years :mconfused:
shanewdude
06-10-2008, 05:00 AM
195/60/15 is the stock diameter for 02/03 ep model years :mconfused:
Now I get it! :thumb:
talonXracer
06-10-2008, 06:42 AM
I am running 205-55-16 studded snowtires. I have them at all 4 corners and they are hands down worlds better in the winter and inclement weather than all seasons as well as plain snowtires.
i have studded 17's (continental) with 205/50 rubber. I would rather go with 16 or even 15 but i had 17rims and didn't want to buy new ones(17 look better too).But for function, narrow and small with plenty of sidewall is the way to go on winter tires. smaller is also cheaper.
talonXracer
06-10-2008, 09:27 AM
You will wear non-studded tires quickly, one side benefit of studs! The other is the trenchs you dig in your paved driveway.......
maestro
06-10-2008, 07:15 PM
Alrighty, So I ended up getting the 17" CTR rims, what are my options for snow tires? 205/45 ? or can I got narrower?
can't help you there, i don't get snow that much where i live.. maybe every 3 years for a day or two
Chazwick05
06-11-2008, 02:22 AM
Alrighty, So I ended up getting the 17" CTR rims, what are my options for snow tires? 205/45 ? or can I got narrower?
if that's your car in your avatar, those are ITR rims, not CTR, and you must have gotten spacers to get them to fit properly.
as far as tire size is concerned with the width of those rims, i wouldn't go any lower than 205, so either a 205/45 or *maybe* a 205/50 (you'll have to check the overall diameter on that to make sure).
nokian makes really good snow tires, and i suggest you get them studded like doug said. www.nokiantires.com should give you a selection of tires and sizes. hope that helps!
RedSiBaron
06-11-2008, 07:10 AM
Alrighty, So I ended up getting the 17" CTR rims, what are my options for snow tires? 205/45 ? or can I got narrower?
others have told you, im going to tell you again
more sidewall and narrower tire help in snow, 17s=bad idea in snow compared to a 16 or 15inch with a 50-60 series sidewall...bad decision IMO...
and you dont want to run nice wheels in winter...they will get destroyed by snow and salt...
Alrighty, So I ended up getting the 17" CTR rims, what are my options for snow tires? 205/45 ? or can I got narrower?
i have 205/50 continentals on ctr rims. they are pretty good, might be better if they were 16's, but i have no complaints after two winters.you can go with 195 but 205 is narrow enough.wouldn't go any wider though. 205/50 also has more sidewall which will be needed.
RedSiBaron
06-11-2008, 11:26 AM
i have 205/50 continentals on ctr rims. they are pretty good, might be better if they were 16's, but i have no complaints after two winters.you can go with 195 but 205 is narrow enough.wouldn't go any wider though. 205/50 also has more sidewall which will be needed.
how much snow do you get??? j/w
maestro
06-11-2008, 05:36 PM
if that's your car in your avatar, those are ITR rims, not CTR, and you must have gotten spacers to get them to fit properly.
as far as tire size is concerned with the width of those rims, i wouldn't go any lower than 205, so either a 205/45 or *maybe* a 205/50 (you'll have to check the overall diameter on that to make sure).
nokian makes really good snow tires, and i suggest you get them studded like doug said. www.nokiantires.com should give you a selection of tires and sizes. hope that helps!
Luckily with global warming we dont get THAT much snow, couple inches here and there. With a 205/50, will that cause rubbing? I am pretty low right now...
And yes I know the difference between the ITR and CTR rims. Those are my summer shoes. =)
how much snow do you get??? j/w
something like little under 1meter every winter, (that's about 3feet or something, little less now because of global warming)and loads of ice.The winters are kinda harsh here, long and cold. as for the size 205/50/17 might rub if you are really low as the diameter is slightly bigger, but it means more ground clearance also which is good for winter use. if you are low enough for it to really rub you might have problems with ground clearance if there's a lot of snow.low cars and snow don't mix really well.
Chazwick05
06-12-2008, 06:30 PM
And yes I know the difference between the ITR and CTR rims. Those are my summer shoes. =)
oh sweet! cool beans :mcool:
RedSiBaron
06-12-2008, 08:13 PM
run like negative 1 degree of camber and you should clear with 205s...i was rubbing in the rear with 205s at neg 0.6 degrees but i havnt noticed any rubbing now that im at negative 1
im loading my car up with a lot of weight saturday so ill know for sure then...
as for snow it doesnt sound like you get that much, so you should be fine, shit in cincinnati ohio we got atleast 3 feet last winter, we had like 2 feet in 48hrs at one point, it was so easy for my ep...i did have 195/60/15s at that time though so part of it, but im not worried about running 205/50/16s this winter
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