16" Rims for 2009 Mazda6 GT V6 ? (winter setup)

[pkfk13@hotmail.com]

Hi -

I am new to the forum, and have done several searches, but I still have an unanswered question if this will work or not. (If this has been covered please excuse the duplication)

My 2009 Mazda6 GT V6 has 18" rims from the factory.....does anyone know for sure if 16" steel rims will work on the car for winter tire use ? (I know overall diameter can be worked thru tire sizes).

My concern is whether the 16 inch rims will interfere with the brake assembly. (I have a set of winters already from my previous car in 16 inch Rims).

Has anyone tried this application ?

Thanks !

[Mz6GreyGhost]

According to Tirerack, the stock 6 comes with 16" steel rims with OEM 205/65-16s, so I'd think that your 16" rims would work, as long as you go with the correct tire size.

Oh, and to the 6Club!

[pkfk13@hotmail.com]

Thanks for the reply and the welcome !

This is really a complicated area !! There are several models of the car this year - mine actually has stock 18" wheels - the tire rack link for the one I am asking about is:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SelectTireSi...s+Grand+Touring

I have since figured out that my existing winter rims are a 5-115 bolt pattern, and the darn Mazda6 has a 5-114 bolt pattern (grrr)....and apparantly that one millimeter difference means I can't re-use my winter rims.
(Unless someone here can inform me otherwise!)

QUOTE (Mz6GreyGhost @ Mar 31 2009, 11:44 AM)

According to Tirerack, the stock 6 comes with 16" steel rims with OEM 205/65-16s, so I'd think that your 16" rims would work, as long as you go with the correct tire size.

Oh, and to the 6Club! [/b]

[Mz6GreyGhost]

QUOTE (pkfk13 @ Mar 31 2009, 03:05 PM)

Thanks for the reply and the welcome !

This is really a complicated area !! There are several models of the car this year - mine actually has stock 18" wheels - the tire rack link for the one I am asking about is:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SelectTireSi...s+Grand+Touring[/b]

I'm aware of the different sizes for the models, but 95% of the time, the base size wheels will fit the uplevel models as well. It works for the first-gen models, since I had 17" OEM wheels and run 16" steelies for the winter.
QUOTE (pkfk13 @ Mar 31 2009, 03:05 PM)

I have since figured out that my existing winter rims are a 5-115 bolt pattern, and the darn Mazda6 has a 5-114 bolt pattern (grrr)....and apparantly that one millimeter difference means I can't re-use my winter rims.
(Unless someone here can inform me otherwise!)[/b]

5-115 pattern? I thought it was 5-114.5, but I could be wrong as well...

[pkfk13@hotmail.com]

QUOTE (Mz6GreyGhost @ Apr 1 2009, 03:40 AM)

I'm aware of the different sizes for the models, but 95% of the time, the base size wheels will fit the uplevel models as well. It works for the first-gen models, since I had 17" OEM wheels and run 16" steelies for the winter.

5-115 pattern? I thought it was 5-114.5, but I could be wrong as well...[/b]

I think you are correct for the Mazda bolt pattern (114.5 or 114.3 rings a bell from my reading).......unfortunately the 16" Rims I currently have (with nice Michelin Arctic Alpins on them) are from my Pontiac Grand Prix GT, which has the 5-115 bolt pattern.

I *think* that the .5 millimeter is going to screw up my plans to re-use those rims for winter on my new Mazda6 and I will end up having to buy new steel 5-114.5 rims for the winter, rather than keep using my old ones from my Grand Prix.

[6er]

They don't have different brakes for the 4 and V6, they both have the same(which are actually basically the same as the first gen's).....just make sure overall diameter is the same so your speedometer isn't wrong.

[Six-wheeler]

Stock 16" steelies will fit. Beware, however, that if you get the wrong offset (e.g. wheels belonging to an entirely different brand with too low an offset), you might get rubbing issues. A set of stock wheels (steel or alloy) or similar should do you good. 235/55R16 should fit fine on a wide-enough alloy (about 7"), but will be too wide for a 6.5" steel rim. In the latter case, you'll be just fine with 215/60.

QUOTE (pkfk13 @ Apr 2 2009, 04:23 AM)

I *think* that the .5 millimeter is going to screw up my plans to re-use those rims for winter on my new Mazda6 and I will end up having to buy new steel 5-114.5 rims for the winter, rather than keep using my old ones from my Grand Prix.[/b]

Don't. Even with such a seemingly tiny difference, you'll run the risk of the studs breaking off and the entire wheel flying off. Since the bolt pattern circle is slightly larger, when the lugs are tightened, the tapers in the wheel holes will force the studs to bend outwards, and eventually break due to the lateral stress. It's just not worth the risk.