I've been looking around for winter tires and possibly even some wheels for the winter also. Right now I have the stock 17" wheels and the stock Dunlop summer performance tires. They're 235/45/17.
What are my options as far as sizes for tires that will fit on my wheels, and what are my options for wheel/tires sizes if I were to get new wheels? Can i get winter tired that are smaller than 235/45/17? I can't spend much tight now, so I'm looking for something around $400 or less.
It depends on what type of roads you'll be on, but in the winter I go up into the canyons quite a bit so I opted for narrow tires on a smaller wheel. My stock wheels/tires are 18x8.5" with 245 wide rubber. That's great for dry traction, but I needed a smaller contact patch for icy roads. I have Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds in a 205/50/17 for the snow tires on 17x8" wheels. You can downsize just fine. I notice a difference in responsiveness, but that has always happened with winter tires anyway as they give a bit more tread squirm. I used the same Dunlops on my WRX last year and never felt like I needed more. I had my concerns about how the 205s would look on an 8" wheel, but I tried it anyway and am pretty happy with the result. It was REALLY hard to get a 17" wheel to clear the calipers though.
Thanks. Ya, I don't live in the rocky mountains, but I live in the northeast and love driving around in the snow, and we're always hitting up the slopes. Right now I have 17" x 8" wheels with the 235/45/17 tires on. What other tire sizes will fit on those wheels? I was looking at 235/45/17 (because that's the size that I currently have) winter tires and they're crazy expensive for that size so I'm trying to see if I can get another size that's a bit cheaper without compromising too much handling. Any suggestions or sizes and tires?
Nice, car looks sick. So you're using 16 x6.5" steel wheels and the 215/55R16 General Altimax Arctic's. I was actually looking at those tires. How do you like them so far? Also, the front brake clearance looks pretty close. How much room do you have in there? I think I might be thinking of going down the same route as you with the steel wheels and narrower tires.
I really love the last pic where you are playin' in the snow. Looks AWESOME! I opted for a set of Nitto NTS 02's on my 06 STi. Stock rims with winter tires on them. Has worked out fine so far.
Nice, car looks sick. So you're using 16 x6.5" steel wheels and the 215/55R16 General Altimax Arctic's. I was actually looking at those tires. How do you like them so far? Also, the front brake clearance looks pretty close. How much room do you have in there? I think I might be thinking of going down the same route as you with the steel wheels and narrower tires.
Yeah, that's all correct. The General's are awesome. I had Winterforce's on my Honda, and it's hard to compare the grip between FWD and AWD, but the General's seem to be much stickier stopping and turning in addition to acceleration, so I really like them so far. Front brakes don't have a lot of room, but it should be plenty to not have a problem. I would say 3/8" or so?
If you stick with the stock wheels you can go as narrow as 205s, that would be the 205/50 17s. I wouldn't personally stay with 235s as you'd be driving around on sleds in the ice. On a WRX you can clear 16 inch wheels just fine. tirerack.com has a lot of resources for matching sizes and stuff if that helps.
Thanks guys. Right now I'm leaning on getting 16" steel wheels and winterforce tires. I had them on my old saab and I loved them. I'll check out tirerack and see what sizes they recommend. Also, when you got your wheels did you have to install TPMS on your wheels. Tirerack is saying that I would need to get them.
I went with 16" steelies. The wheels, tires, and mounting cost about as much as just the tires in the 235/45R17 size!
I just ordered the same exact tires and rims from discount tire, ran me $600 even shipped. So far what do you think of the generals in the snow? Also did you get new tpms sensors for the tires, or just get them without them like me. Also is the tpms light always on, and I have also been trying to find a way to disable the system for the winter, and all I could find is that it is illegal for a shop to disable them, and they won't disclose the procedure if there is one.
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