snow tires

ILOVETHIS

Member
Jun 12, 2006
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does anybody know anything about them? I want to get some. I currently have 17 inch rims and tires. If I were to buy winter tires, can I go down in size, like 16 inch tires and rims? thx
 
Possible. Check & ask. Have vin. of car & they can check what your make & model can take & what is avail.
 
You can as long as the original spec overall diameter is the maintained, otherwise your speedomter will be affected, especially if you drive automatic.

So if you drop down to 16", you will need a taller wall and less tire width based on availabilty. ie P215/40/17 = P205/55/16.

Check your current tire wall, what size is it?
 
215/60-17

You can as long as the original spec overall diameter is the maintained, otherwise your speedomter will be affected, especially if you drive automatic.

So if you drop down to 16", you will need a taller wall and less tire width based on availabilty. ie P215/40/17 = P205/55/16.

Check your current tire wall, what size is it?
 
does anybody know anything about them? I want to get some. I currently have 17 inch rims and tires. If I were to buy winter tires, can I go down in size, like 16 inch tires and rims? thx

yes, you can use 16" steel rims and 16" tires.
 
does anybody know anything about them? I want to get some. I currently have 17 inch rims and tires. If I were to buy winter tires, can I go down in size, like 16 inch tires and rims? thx

Put them on the drive wheels.
 
Also, take them off as soon as the temps start to avg +7 or +8 and keep your speed down to about 110, you can go above but not for miles at a time. The rubber compound used is soft and will wear quicker than regular tires.
 
Put them on the drive wheels.

No, put them on all 4 wheels. Modern vehicles generally have ABS, and often traction control, which can get confused by a large difference in grip at the front vs. the rear of the vehicle. Either put on 4 winter tires, or keep your all-seasons on. You wouldn't go out walking with one running shoe and one snow boot on, would you?

The General Altimax Arctic is a good buy, exceptional tire for a mid-range price. They are produced in Germany by the parent company, Continental.
 
No, put them on all 4 wheels. Modern vehicles generally have ABS, and often traction control, which can get confused by a large difference in grip at the front vs. the rear of the vehicle. Either put on 4 winter tires, or keep your all-seasons on. You wouldn't go out walking with one running shoe and one snow boot on, would you?

The General Altimax Arctic is a good buy, exceptional tire for a mid-range price. They are produced in Germany by the parent company, Continental.

agreed on all counts.
 
does anybody know anything about them? I want to get some. I currently have 17 inch rims and tires. If I were to buy winter tires, can I go down in size, like 16 inch tires and rims? thx

That is exactly what you do. Go down one size. Wide profile tires do less well in snow and slush. The disk brakes on some model don't let you down size, but most do. Get separate steel wheels so you don't have to change the tires at the time and risk bead damage. Go one step further and get plastic hub caps to help keep crap from getting inside the wheels. You should buy four.
 
BTW, the General Altimax Arctic is highly rated by Consumer Reports; that is why I bought them and I am very happy with them.

Also, see the many previous threads on this subject...

Perry
 
I found a set of 17 inch rims with 17 inch tires. But the ones for sale are 215/55-17, min are 215/60-17, does that difference in the 55 and 60 matter? thanks


That is exactly what you do. Go down one size. Wide profile tires do less well in snow and slush. The disk brakes on some model don't let you down size, but most do. Get separate steel wheels so you don't have to change the tires at the time and risk bead damage. Go one step further and get plastic hub caps to help keep crap from getting inside the wheels. You should buy four.
 
I found a set of 17 inch rims with 17 inch tires. But the ones for sale are 215/55-17, min are 215/60-17, does that difference in the 55 and 60 matter? thanks

Only a 3% difference in raduis so it should be fine, your speedo will read about 3% high. As long as the bolt pattern is good and the offset is not too far off it should be fine.
 
When going from 17" rims to 16" rims, make sure the brake discs, pads and calliper assemblies fit inside the smaller rims. If you are running stock brakes, and the base model of the car of interest comes with 16" rims, you will be okay.

*** This is particularly important when downsizing from 16" to 15" rims.
 
Some things never change. You still don't need them in the gta. Good all seasons are fine. Don't listen to the chumps who believe the hype and now have a second set to store.