Recomendation for winter tires?

[cwa107]

With the colder months approaching, as I predicted, I am starting to miss the security I felt knowing I had the Pilot. So, I'm thinking maybe I should spring for a set of wheels and winter tires to swap onto the 6.

My problem is this - I know NOTHING about wheels/sizes/fitment. I do know that I don't want to throw my speedometer off with a set of wheels that will compromise its accuracy. Currently, the 6 is fitted with 18" rims and P215/45-R18 tires. These are Pirelli P-Zero Neros and they are M/S rated (all season) tires.

In my experience, low profile tires are awful in the snow. So, I'm thinking that whatever snow tires I buy should be on a smaller diameter rim like a 17 or (maybe better yet) a 16.

I don't know what "offset" means or many other of the technical terms out there that are thrown around when talking about aftermarket rims. Fooling around on the Tire Rack website, I put together a package deal - but when I went to check out, they indicated that additional mounting hardware would be needed. What does that mean?

I guess I need to do some research, but the bottom line is that I need some snow tires and rims. I'm hoping a few of you have been down this road before and might have some tips to offer.

Here in central PA, it usually snows around 5-7 times a year. Knock on wood, we generally only get a few inches, usually no more than a foot at a time. I do have my wife's Corolla to use in a pinch (it's pretty decent in snow), but with a toddler in the car, my concern is that I want to have him in the safer of the two cars.

TIA for any advice you might have.

[andyschneider]

First thing to do is go to www.tirerack.com and look at their "winter wheel and tire" packages - you enter the info on your vehicle and they show options of wheels/tires - mounted/balanced and shipped to your door - that you just bolt on at home. You can (typically) choose from alloys or steel wheels, and they give you different sizes to choose from - lower profile tires as well as packages with skinnier tires in the correct sizes for better winter traction. Give that a try first - and their tire choices are all pretty good....

andy

who runs dedicated studded snows on steel wheels for the Accord and Civics in the winter.....

[cwa107]

Originally posted by andyschneider
First thing to do is go to www.tirerack.com and look at their "winter wheel and tire" packages - you enter the info on your vehicle and they show options of wheels/tires - mounted/balanced and shipped to your door - that you just bolt on at home. You can (typically) choose from alloys or steel wheels, and they give you different sizes to choose from - lower profile tires as well as packages with skinnier tires in the correct sizes for better winter traction. Give that a try first - and their tire choices are all pretty good....

andy

who runs dedicated studded snows on steel wheels for the Accord and Civics in the winter.....

Thanks Andy.

Am I correct in assuming that they're only going to show me sizes that will maintain the correct aspect ratio as to not through my speedometer off?

Looks like they recommend P215/50-R17 for my vehicle.

Also, with alloys, it looks like this is going to run me around $900. Around $600 for steel wheels (I think it's worth the additional $300 for not having to fool with hubcaps). Obviously, that's a sizable investment. Having run snow tires on your cars - in your honest opinion, is there really big enough of a difference in traction to warrant such an expenditure?

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by cwa107


Thanks Andy.

Am I correct in assuming that they're only going to show me sizes that will maintain the correct aspect ratio as to not through my speedometer off?

Looks like they recommend P215/50-R17 for my vehicle.

Also, with alloys, it looks like this is going to run me around $900. Around $600 for steel wheels (I think it's worth the additional $300 for not having to fool with hubcaps). Obviously, that's a sizable investment. Having run snow tires on your cars - in your honest opinion, is there really big enough of a difference in traction to warrant such an expenditure?

Yes - the sizes they show will be correct for the speedo, etc - they're really good about that. Do they show a 16" size at all? It'd save you some cash and help give you more rubber between the road and the wheel.

For us here in NH, road salt is a killer to alloy wheels, and steel wheels are a better bet - plus they're cheaper to replace if you hit a pothole and bend the wheels. I try not to run alloys in the winter if I can.....

As far as "does it make a difference"? Around here - absolutely. Our roads can be snowcovered for weeks, and the back roads will be rutted with ice and packed snow - to me, it makes all the difference. Part of the problem with many of the 17 and 18 inch wheels/tires these days is that they don't have a real all-season tread design, so they really stink in the winter, even in light snowfalls. So the solution is to get something more agressive - either a good allseason or a dedicated winter tire - so if you're gonna pay for an extra set, do it the right way with the dedicated winter ones. But I'd go 16" if you can - better grip due to thinner tread patch.

andy

[cwa107]

Originally posted by andyschneider


Yes - the sizes they show will be correct for the speedo, etc - they're really good about that. Do they show a 16" size at all? It'd save you some cash and help give you more rubber between the road and the wheel.

For us here in NH, road salt is a killer to alloy wheels, and steel wheels are a better bet - plus they're cheaper to replace if you hit a pothole and bend the wheels. I try not to run alloys in the winter if I can.....

As far as "does it make a difference"? Around here - absolutely. Our roads can be snowcovered for weeks, and the back roads will be rutted with ice and packed snow - to me, it makes all the difference. Part of the problem with many of the 17 and 18 inch wheels/tires these days is that they don't have a real all-season tread design, so they really stink in the winter, even in light snowfalls. So the solution is to get something more agressive - either a good allseason or a dedicated winter tire - so if you're gonna pay for an extra set, do it the right way with the dedicated winter ones. But I'd go 16" if you can - better grip due to thinner tread patch.

andy

Thanks - your input is much appreciated and is exactly what I was after.

[xGS]

See if the 16" steel wheels used on the i-sport version of the Mazda 6 sedan fit your car. If so, then you can get a snow tire in size 205/60R16. Choose one of the 'H' speed-rated snow tires (such as the Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 or Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D) and you'll have a tire that still handles well when there's a warm spell or the roads are dry while maintaining excellent performance on snow and ice.

Otherwise, you may as well get a set of the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero tires in size 215/45R18 for your existing wheels. Traction will be fine, but as mentioned above, you won't have as much protection from potholes.

Finally, sure the upfront cost is a bit steep, but you're not putting any wear on your "summer" tires for several months per year and there's bound to be at least one bad storm during the winter when the snow tires will more than pay for themselves - plus it's hard to put a price on peace of mind with the family.

[cwa107]

Originally posted by xGS
See if the 16" steel wheels used on the i-sport version of the Mazda 6 sedan fit your car. If so, then you can get a snow tire in size 205/60R16. Choose one of the 'H' speed-rated snow tires (such as the Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 or Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D) and you'll have a tire that still handles well when there's a warm spell or the roads are dry while maintaining excellent performance on snow and ice.

Otherwise, you may as well get a set of the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero tires in size 215/45R18 for your existing wheels. Traction will be fine, but as mentioned above, you won't have as much protection from potholes.

Finally, sure the upfront cost is a bit steep, but you're not putting any wear on your "summer" tires for several months per year and there's bound to be at least one bad storm during the winter when the snow tires will more than pay for themselves - plus it's hard to put a price on peace of mind with the family.

Thanks xGS. Tire Rack's website does specify a 205/60-R16 for my model. I'm going to call and check with a human being before I spend any money just to be sure. Past experience dictates that smaller diameter rims tend to do better in the white stuff.

I know the alloys don't hold up quite as well as the steel wheels in the long run, but I've never experienced a problem in all the cars I've owned with alloys even though they do use quite a bit of salt around here.

So, I'm seriously considering going with the 16" alloys and Michellin X-Ice tires. The reviews appear to be quite positive for an all-around good winter tire with low noise.

Thanks again for all your input.