I just sold my 18's for the reason of wanting to go down to a 17" wheel with a 215-45-17 tire. ( Thicker side wall - tire more cushion) I was curious to see if anyone running this wheel and tire size or similar has run them through the snow? I hate the look of my stockies ( and I know it's probably the best way to go)....but I was just curious if anyone has roughed it? I'd like to buy my new wheels and tires before winter just so I have them for next spring and If I could run them through some light snow to enjoy them a little more it would be great. Any comments on tire brand or thread? Thanks for the info -D

 

I am getting ready to put on 18s and was wondering the same thing. Should I put them on before winter or just put the stock wheels back on

 

I'd recommend using the stock wheels with snow tires. Around here at least, the roads deteriorate over the course of the winter, and by February or March there are usually lots of potholes obscured by water and slush, so it's pretty hard to avoid hitting them. Low-profile tires can easily result in damaged rims. But if you live somewhere that only gets occasional light snowfall and has fairly mild winter temperatures, you might be fine with 17s.

As for snow tires, that too depends on what kind of conditions you're likely to be driving in. Up here in Vermont, pretty much everyone runs Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires because they're basically the best you can buy. They'll do great anywhere with snowy winters.

If you live somewhere with relatively mild winters and only occasional light snowfall, you'd probably be fine with a snow/wet-weather-oriented all-season tire such as the Nokian WR.

--mark

 

The stock tires are fine in the snow. I didnt have any problems all last winter with them.

 

for larger amounts of snow blizzaks. if you don't get that much an all season should be fine. i recoomend going back to stock for winter just cause wheels are expensive. road salt, sand, and the mix isn't good for the them either.

 

thanks for the info - It's so hard to put those stock wheels back on when the 17's and 18's make the car....only 6 months till spring!

 

i went thru last winter here in new jersey with 17" 215 45 with with sumitomos and i had a really hard time getting up slight hills and driveways. i was gonna buy snow tires or all seasons for my 17's but decided to go back to stock for this winter. it's the cheapest. sacrafice looks for money saved.

 

As long as you get a fairly mild all-season tire in 215-45-17, you won't have a problem. However, running a summer tire in that size is asking for trouble.

 

Ive got the regular Potenzas and we get some pretty good snow here in Michigan.

 

you must be lucky.. ;) lol

 

I hate snow in dearborn...................... got into accident there last summer! I mean winter, down near henry ford! We'll see if the curves can get me in my new car? I really wish I had stability control........(wish I could afford a real car with it) got the yokos and haven't been through winter yet? We'll keep each other posted I suppose

 

Well I never had a car with ABS brakes before so the first time in the snow hitting the brakes I went for a nice slide. ABS sucks bad on ice but one something with a little traction it eliminates the human error so it can be very good. Every car is different you just take it easy til you learn this cars habits.

 

or you you just disable the abs its not that hard.

 

Its not like its a big deal. Every car is different you get used to it. Stopping with ABS is different than nonABS. ABS is great in low traction areas so its not like Im saying its bad or I dont want it. Its just different at first.
I think people look at these safety things and figure they dont need to be careful cause the car will save them if something goes wrong and it wont.