Large Snow Tires?

[jeradw]

So here is my problem. I have been searching around for a bit and haven't found a set of 17" wheels that I really like for my winter set. I was debating about purchasing a set of OEM wheels, but I wanted something a little nicer (since winter can be a little longer here in WI).

I am currently running 18" 'no seasons'

I found an 18" painted wheel that I really like - but that means I would need to have an 18" tire to go on it...ie 18" winter tire.

Questions:

Is there going to be a noticeable difference between the 18" snow tire and the 17" snow tire?


Is it going to be worthless to purchase the 18" tire?

The added cost of the 18" tire versus the 17" tire isn't a huge deal to me, I think I would rather just get something I like - unfortunately I found an 18" wheel.

So...what do you all think about such a large snow tire? I have always been told that the smaller and thinner you go, the better - but is there that much of a difference? Any of you out there running larger snow tires?

Thanks!

[KNaudi]

its about width, not diameter. I run 18" snows no problem

[jmars]

^^^^^ agreed. Narrower is better.

[CBRmatt600]

Smaller the contact patch, the more downward pressure that is exerted on the road. That is what you are looking for when driving in snow.

[jeradw]

hey so what kind of width should I be looking for? How do I know if its too wide? :)

[jeradw]

its about width, not diameter. I run 18" snows no problem

What is the width on your 18's?

[SilverBullets]

You honestly might have better luck finding a 16 in wheel with a smaller width than an 18 in

[Heratik]

Back when I had a mustang I used 245/45-17 dunlop winter sports. I was able to handle the worst weather that MI could throw at me. As they say thiner is better but with a good set of snow rubber you'll be able to get around.

[KNaudi]

guessing on your rim size, 225 or 235 width?

[_norrland_]

I got 18" winter tires on my oem wheels, Michelin X-ice North 225/40 -18 and it works perfectly here in north Sweden were we got a lot of snowy and icy roads.

[TheRealtor]

Smaller the contact patch, the more downward pressure that is exerted on the road. That is what you are looking for when driving in snow.

your answer is here.

look what they use for ice racing

http://image.modified.com/f/22468358/0808_sccp_02_z+2002_subaru_impreza_wrx+ice_racing. jpg

[Tanner]

My two cents, looks is not on the top of the priority list in the winter. Get some rims and good winter tires. Besides, it'll be so damn cold at times where you won't want to wash your car and the crap on the rims will yellow the rim over time which it has for me (using the 17" OEM rims for winter use with 225 tires).

[Rotond0000]

just run 8''...


unless you plan on ice racing ^ lolol

[tgt]

What wheels are you looking at (out of curiosity)? Also just got a set of snows and am considering mounting either on the s-line wheels, some vmr 18's, or something from tire rack.

Thx,
tgt

[KNaudi]

just run 8''...


unless you plan on ice racing ^ lolol

hey he DOES live in Wisconsin...... [:D]

[Tusin]

I went with 245/40/17's for my winter tire (going to put them on my stockers), the price was to damn good on the tires. But yes generally you want a skinny tire for snow.

[jeradw]

What wheels are you looking at (out of curiosity)? Also just got a set of snows and am considering mounting either on the s-line wheels, some vmr 18's, or something from tire rack.

Thx,
tgt

18" Enkei EKMIII (Silver)

I have the EKMIII (Gunmetal) wheels for the summer.

I thought the price is decent on TireRack - there are definitely more expensive wheels out there.

[jeradw]

I am considering the following:

18" -- Estimated @ $2000
Tire:
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D: 235/40R18

Wheel:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/enkei_performance/swap/enkei_ekm3_bs_ci3_l.jpg
Enkei EKMIII Bright Silver
18x8
Offset: +35mm
Backspacing: 5.82"
Bolt Pattern: 5-112
Rec. Tire Size:235/40-18
Weight: 24.6lbs.

17" -- Estimated @ $1200
Tire:
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25: 235/45R17

Wheel:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/msw/swap/msw_type12_bs_ci3_l.jpg
MSW Type 12
17x8
Offset: 35mm
Backspacing: 5.94"
Bolt Pattern: 5-112
Rec. Tire Size:235/45-17
Weight: 24.0lbs.

Any thoughts?

[RedS-line]

get a cheap set of 17's or 18's and 225's and youre set. 225 is ideal AND cheaper

[jeradw]

225 40 18 or 225 45 17 - would those be the specifications then?

[KNaudi]

seems like that'd work. I have enkeis as well as 225 width fits pretty perfectly for the 8" wide wheels.

[jeradw]

cool - I did notice that the 225 18's are a bit cheaper than the 235s. That was a pleasant surprise. [:)]

I have 235s on right now for the summer and they are pretty wide - I was wondering how that would work for the winter. Changing to 225 doesn't change the speedo does it?


Edit: Answered my own question. Changing from a 235/40/18 to a 225/40/18 will change it slightly. When the speedo says you are going 60mph you will actually be going 59.3 mph. According to this site: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[jeradw]

So I just got my new set of snow tires and wheels installed. I got a set of Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's.

Kind of interesting though, I noticed that there is a white dot on the front passenger tire - does anyone know what that is for? I've looked around, and I don't see the dot on any of the other tires.

[jayphil82]

I use 235 wide tire's on my 17" stockers with no problem. I suggest not to go wider tho...

By the way my tires are Yokohama IG20, I chose them because they are one of the best ice tires and their side wall are hard enough for a driving enthousiasm like me ;).

Most japaness winter tires have too soft side wall for my liking...

[Operator]

I went with 245/40/17's for my winter tire (going to put them on my stockers), the price was to damn good on the tires. But yes generally you want a skinny tire for snow.


How how these been for you so far?

Here is what I posted the Rocky Mountain secion:


I found some Blizzak LM-22's for $80 each. Thing is they are 245/40R17 and I wanted to see if anyone else was running that size without any problems.

[Operator]

This provided some good intel: http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=126 Even still, $80 a tire is hard to pass up.