Winter - 18" wheels or 16" - need advice

[vivalaptops]

Hello Mazda lovers -
I need some advice regarding winter tires... Its going to be my first winter driving my Mazda 6 wagon 2004... I have nice 18" rims right now, with 215/45/18 pirelli tires. I also have a set of 16" stock wheels with winter tires. I know that many people switch to 16 or 17" rims/ tires in the winter - but WHY? I never drove with 18" wheels in the winter tires thus I don't really know how it feels, what are the problems? seems to me that car should have better grip with larger tires...

Thus the question- what is the main difference in driving with 225/45/18 WINTER tires and regular stock 205/60R16 WINTER tires? Which is more prefferable?

I like my 18" rims and was considering getting new winter tires in 225/45/18 , but if its preferable to use smaller tires in the winter, I'll stick with what i already have for winter 205/60R18 on stock mazda wheels.
I am from Montreal, we have lots of snow and ice here...

Good luck on the roads to everyone!

[monkgj]

Big wheels tend to get chewed up during winter; with smaller wheels you have more rubber to take the bad road. Also 16" tires are much cheaper than 18" tires.

[Mz6GreyGhost]

Stick with the 16" wheels.

Technically, a narrower tire should be better equipped to "dig" through fresh snow into pavement/packed snow underneath, aiding in traction. How much of a difference? No idea.

I switch to 16" wheels for three reasons:
- 16" tires are less expensive than the comparable 17" or 18" tires, so much more that you can get a set of 16" tires and steel wheels or used wheels for the price of some 18" winter tires alone.
- The 16" tires have a taller sidewall, which not only aids in traction, but offers a smoother ride over the potholed, miserable winter roads.
- Running winter wheels protects your good 3-season (ie. expensive) wheels from getting dinged up and corroded/worn down from the sand/salt that's dumped on winter pavement.

[jd42]

QUOTE (Mz6GreyGhost @ Oct 14 2009, 07:54 AM)

I switch to 16" wheels for three reasons:
- 16" tires are less expensive than the comparable 17" or 18" tires, so much more that you can get a set of 16" tires and steel wheels or used wheels for the price of some 18" winter tires alone.
- The 16" tires have a taller sidewall, which not only aids in traction, but offers a smoother ride over the potholed, miserable winter roads.
- Running winter wheels protects your good 3-season (ie. expensive) wheels from getting dinged up and corroded/worn down from the sand/salt that's dumped on winter pavement.[/b]

Well said.

One of the major objections some people make to using separate seasonal tires/wheels is the added initial cost. Smaller rims and tires help lower that cost.

The roads around here are pretty bad even in the summer, and I'm am often concerned about damaging my 18" rims. The extra 1/2" of sidewall on my 17" winter setup is a nice piece of mind when the roads are the worst. I'd go down to 16" rims for winter, but I need 17" to clear my brakes.

[vivalaptops]

Thanks everyone for advice, I'll just keep my 16" tires that I already have. I was thinking about selling my set of original mazda rims and tires and just getting a set of new winter tires in 18", but now thinking about the miserable roads here in Montreal, thinking that my wife may drive it too in the winter... i'd probably have to throw away the nice rims in the spring. She always tends to park really close to the curb, so the rims are always in danger of getting messed up...

Will stick with what I have...

Thanks everyone!

[Discount Tire Direct]

While you are shopping for winter tires and/or wheels please give us a shot. We guarantee the lowest delivered price. Shipping to Canada and the lower 48 states is FREE.


Before you make your winter wheel and tire purchase please read this helpful link:

Winter Tire FAQ