Daily Driver Mustang and tire sizing for snow tires

[msi1337]

Dear fellow wrenchers - I ended up getting a good deal on a 2004 Mustang GT about 5 months ago. I started to drive it during the summer with the thinking that I would keep my 2008 Civic. After driving the mustang for a month, I just fell in love with it and decided to sell the Civic (which was worth more than I spent on the mustang). I did some basic mods to it that I felt helped to make it more fun to drive (Subframe connectors, short throw shifter, replaced crappy intake previous owner had put on). I am not dumping a bunch of money into it, just increasing my enjoyment of it.

Anyways, so winter is coming, and while this is not the ideal car for winter. I live 5 miles from work and I am only .5 miles from the major highway I use to get to work. I will need to get new snow tires and rims. The question is this... Should I consider going to a 16inch or even 15inch rim to save on the price of snow tires? I am pretty sure I can use a 225/55/R16 and it provides me with a narrower tire (thus increasing traction) and saves me about $40 a piece on the tires themselves. The default tires are 245/45/r17.

TLDR:
Bought a 2004 Mustang GT, have to drive it in the winter, do I save ~$45 a tire and get smaller rims

 

[Yuriman]

When keeping with the same overall circumference, generally speaking taller sidewalls (smaller rim) will have better ride comfort and lower rolling resistance (within the same class). Narrower tread will have better traction in snow and wet conditions. I couldn't say what's best for ice, but running a 165 width tire in Vermont I find I can get away with studless in places I'd need studs in other vehicles with wider tires.

 

[Wuzup101]

I would probably go with the smaller rim size / narrower section with as long as you verify that there is a rim size / offset configuration that will work with your brakes (i.e. fit over them).

 

[mindless1]

205/60/16 seems a good combo of cheap, narrow, and very similar diameter. Being 16" I'd hunt down some base model Mustang rims at a junkyard.

 

[DaTT]

I don't believe you will have a problem fitting a 16" rim over those brakes, but I am not certain. If it works, and you can save $180 I'd go for it. I go from 18" to 17" in the winter on my Mustang (285 wide to 215 wide).

Check the rolling diameter of stock tire size vs the tire size you plan on getting, if they are very different you will have speedometer issues...meaning you will be seeing incorrect speeds.

 

[msi1337]

 

[msi1337]

Also, as some above pointed out, I am pretty sure the base model Mustangs came with this 16" size

 

[DaTT]

Also, as some above pointed out, I am pretty sure the base model Mustangs came with this 16" size

Yes, they did, however the GT may have bigger brakes than the V6...at least on the front. I am not certain on this though.l

 

[msi1337]

Thank you Datt, I will check on that. If both the base V6 and the GT use the same calipers and rotors would I be safe?

 

[mindless1]

^ Yes. Even if only the same rotors, that determines diameter more than a caliper change but that would narrow it down and if buying rims locally you can just take the vehicle there to confirm they fit, EXCEPT if buying random rims not OEM for a 'stang, there's still the offset to consider.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

16's with 225/55 or 215/60 will fit according to tire rack.