Help--Winter tire issues

[Scouzer]

OK. So we got our first snowfall over the last 3 days so now there is about a foot of snow on the ground.

I have a new car...2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT with Pirelli PZero tires. However, I have discovered the hard way they are absolutely ATROCIOUS in winter conditions.

Therefore...I should get a set of winter tires.

My issue is this: My default wheel/tires are 205/50 17"...do I have to get winter tires of this size?

If not...how much will it affect my speedometer?

If I have to get 17"...that will be over $1000 CDN to get steelies and rubbers, so I will take my chances. I can't afford that....

 

[iamaelephant]

Err, so what's the plan? You want to stretch some 15" tyres over your 17" wheels? Of course you need to get the same size

If you're talking about the profile, it's not too important and will make only a very minor difference to your speedo, not even worth considering.

 

[Scouzer]

No no...I'll be buying steelies.

 

[iamaelephant]

Steelies as in steel wheels?

In that case, just go for higher profile tyres. There is a website somewhere to calculate how big of a profile you will need, but if you ask at the local tyre shop they will be able to tell you off the tops of their heads. In any case, the difference to your speedo is minor.

For example, if you get some 15" wheels with 205/60/15 tyres, you will have a profile of 123mm (4.5") + 15" = 19.5" with a total wheel circumference of 122.5"

Compare this to your current circumference of 135" you're looking at approximately a 10% difference in your speed reading. If you change the new tyres to say 215/60/15 or 205/70/15 you can close that gap even further.

 

[PHiuR]

I really enjoy Blizzak tires in snow...of course, I drive an awd, but having blizzak tires in comparison to all-season tires, there is a difference.


Edit: I just checked tirerack and they have Blizzak LM-25 in your size.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

 

[Colt45]

Get some 16" steelies, or 15's if they fit over the brakes.. get higher profile tire to match the current diameter. The highschool students at the tire shop should be able to size it for you.

result:
speedo still accurate,
15" rubber and rims is a lot cheaper. - and if you run into the curb with 15's you're less likely to break ******. haha

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

then you have to change tires twice a year. its a pain in the ass and it costs money.

if you have two sets of rims you can DIY, save teh dollars.

edit: plus if you have 18 x 9" summer rims, a 18x9 low profile winter tire probably doesnt exist, and if it does its probably pretty useless.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

then you have to change tires twice a year. its a pain in the ass and it costs money.

if you have two sets of rims you can DIY, save teh dollars.

Meh... I just go to the tire shop and have them flip my tires. To each his own I guess.

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

then you have to change tires twice a year. its a pain in the ass and it costs money.

if you have two sets of rims you can DIY, save teh dollars.

Meh... I just go to the tire shop and have them flip my tires. To each his own I guess.

But buying 4x15" steelies + 4x15" tyres is much cheaper than 4x17" tyres.

Grr, stupid Firefox spell checker doesn't have the word "tyre" in it.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

low-profile winter tires = ha ha.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Colt45

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Scouzer
No no...I'll be buying steelies.

Steelies = studded tires?
<-- Doesn't speak canadian.

Anyway... Bridgestone Blizzaks > *

steelies = steel wheels. cheaper than buying another set of mags for winter.

You can't just use the same mags?

low-profile winter tires = ha ha.

LOL... Trust me. My buddy drives a Mazda Speed 6 and he has LP studded tires. Alaska might be the only place in the world that sells them, but you can get them.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: jagec
low-profile winter tires = ha ha.

LOL... Trust me. My buddy drives a Mazda Speed 6 and he has LP studded tires. Alaska might be the only place in the world that sells them, but you can get them.

Sorry, I probably should have used "$$$" instead of "ha ha".

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
OK. So we got our first snowfall over the last 3 days so now there is about a foot of snow on the ground.

I have a new car...2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT with Pirelli PZero tires. However, I have discovered the hard way they are absolutely ATROCIOUS in winter conditions.

Therefore...I should get a set of winter tires.

My issue is this: My default wheel/tires are 205/50 17"...do I have to get winter tires of this size?

If not...how much will it affect my speedometer?

If I have to get 17"...that will be over $1000 CDN to get steelies and rubbers, so I will take my chances. I can't afford that....

I think people generally get smaller winter tires than what they have for their summer tires. Is this true?

<--Just spent over $400 for winter tires (Pirelli Snowsport 235/45/17).

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
OK. So we got our first snowfall over the last 3 days so now there is about a foot of snow on the ground.

I have a new car...2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT with Pirelli PZero tires. However, I have discovered the hard way they are absolutely ATROCIOUS in winter conditions.

Therefore...I should get a set of winter tires.

My issue is this: My default wheel/tires are 205/50 17"...do I have to get winter tires of this size?

If not...how much will it affect my speedometer?

If I have to get 17"...that will be over $1000 CDN to get steelies and rubbers, so I will take my chances. I can't afford that....

Could you buy some POS steel wheels and rubbers in the 15" range? The only important thing (in speedometer's point of view) is the external diameter of the tires.
As such, you could use some (out-of-my-ass example) 185/65R14 (14" wheel) OR 185/70R15 (15" wheel) and have the same speedometer readings

 

[Calin]

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: Scouzer
OK. So we got our first snowfall over the last 3 days so now there is about a foot of snow on the ground.

I have a new car...2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT with Pirelli PZero tires. However, I have discovered the hard way they are absolutely ATROCIOUS in winter conditions.

Therefore...I should get a set of winter tires.

My issue is this: My default wheel/tires are 205/50 17"...do I have to get winter tires of this size?

If not...how much will it affect my speedometer?

If I have to get 17"...that will be over $1000 CDN to get steelies and rubbers, so I will take my chances. I can't afford that....

I think people generally get smaller winter tires than what they have for their summer tires. Is this true?

<--Just spent over $400 for winter tires (Pirelli Snowsport 235/45/17).

This reduces the maximum speed, but improves the torque. Useful if you are already moving (if you are sitting on ice, higher torque - greater chance to start sliding).

 

[j00fek]

all season tires FTW

 

[desy]

I'd get the steelies of smaller diameter if they fit.
Bridgestone Revo's are the best studless tires, if you want studded you could get cheap Hankooks like I did and get them studded.
The downside of studded is the road noise, but you can get used to the humm but if you want quiet the Revo'sa re the way to go but just quoted at $150 CDN each here today by someone at work for 15"

 

[BoomerD]

For winter tires, the wider the profile, the larger the footprint, and wide tires are essentially just ski's ...You should get narrower tires for winter, NOT wider. I agree with getting steel wheels and winter tires, rather than swapping tires 2x/year. Getting smaller wheels and matching the rolling circumference of your 17's MIGHT be difficult however. It's easier to go from 15 to 17, (plus 2) than it is the other way...You might have to get 17" steel wheels, depending on what your stock tires are. Talk to a reputable tire shop.

 

[mercanucaribe]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Calin

Originally posted by: chuckywang

Originally posted by: Scouzer
OK. So we got our first snowfall over the last 3 days so now there is about a foot of snow on the ground.

I have a new car...2006 Pontiac Pursuit GT with Pirelli PZero tires. However, I have discovered the hard way they are absolutely ATROCIOUS in winter conditions.

Therefore...I should get a set of winter tires.

My issue is this: My default wheel/tires are 205/50 17"...do I have to get winter tires of this size?

If not...how much will it affect my speedometer?

If I have to get 17"...that will be over $1000 CDN to get steelies and rubbers, so I will take my chances. I can't afford that....

I think people generally get smaller winter tires than what they have for their summer tires. Is this true?

<--Just spent over $400 for winter tires (Pirelli Snowsport 235/45/17).

This reduces the maximum speed, but improves the torque. Useful if you are already moving (if you are sitting on ice, higher torque - greater chance to start sliding).

I think people usually get the same diameter on smaller steel wheels.

 

[torpid]

I sincerely hope you aren't driving aggressively enough in winter conditions to the point that the tire size is affecting your performance...

 

[StrangeRanger]

Originally posted by: j00fek
all season tires FTW

You obviously don't live where real winters happen. Snow tires do make a big difference. And don't get studded tires, they suck on anything but glare ice.

OP is on the right track though, get some 15 or 16" steels and snows. You definitely save time, money and have less hassles by buying steels. Plus you won't ding up your alloys when you side swipe a curb and they don't get destroyed by the salt and rocks the plows puke out.

16" snows should keep your speedo about the same. 15's might make a bit more of a difference. Check out tirerack.com for all your snow tire needs and good deals.
j