Topic: Should I use 17 inch wheels in winter

[slybry]

I am buying a 2005 Mazda 3 sport tomorrow. I have to set myself up with a winter tire/wheel package for it. Stock tire size is 205/50/17

The 17 inch stock alloys are nice but nothing special. I was thinking about buying another set of nicer 17 inch alloys to use for summer rubber and use the stock alloys for winter.

I think my other option would be to buy 16 inch alloys for winter use but that would leave me running the stock alloys (that do not turn my crank) in summer.

Is it silly to run 17 inchers in winter? I think I have read that low profile winter tires perform badly. I think is was due to stiff sidewalls or something like that. I know the tire will be more expensive but I do low Kms so they will last a long time.

I know next winter is a long way away but I have a lead on a set of used 17 alloys I might want to jump on. So I need some advice. Thanks

[Careener]

I'd buy a set of 16" steelies and tires. The Mazda 3 is not the best Winter driver (and I say that having driven one for the past 3 yrs) so you should do what you can to improve things.
Sell your stock 17" rims if you don't like them in a separate transaction.
There's a member selling a set of tires and wheels from his Mazda 6 - they might fit-you'd have to check.

[tpl]

I did that with my 330. 17 inch wheels were the minimum size that would fit. I put winters on the OEM wheels and bought nicer ones for the summer tires.    The OEM wheels survived 5 winters in good shape.

[airbalancer]

I did that with my 330. 17 inch wheels were the minimum size that would fit. I put winters on the OEM wheels and bought nicer ones for the summer tires.    The OEM wheels survived 5 winters in good shape.

That is the same for wife's BMW, 17" is min that would fit no problem
I would just new summer and leave the OEM for winter time

[slybry]

I'd buy a set of 16" steelies and tires. The Mazda 3 is not the best Winter driver (and I say that having driven one for the past 3 yrs) so you should do what you can to improve things.
Sell your stock 17" rims if you don't like them in a separate transaction.
There's a member selling a set of tires and wheels from his Mazda 6 - they might fit-you'd have to check.

Can I ask what size winters you are running. I see that the base model 3's came with 205/55/16 tires. This size would have same width so I do not see how that would be better in snow.

PS: Even is I go for 16 inchers for winter I will still buy a set of alloys. Fed up with steelies and hubcaps.

[Squishy]

Didn't I just see a set of 16" winters go up in Classifieds?

EDIT: Yes, http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,61680.msg557614

Bolt pattern is the same.  Are you in Toronto?

EDIT2: Missed your blue text.  Nevermind

[slybry]

Will the new designed 17 inch alloys (shown here) off 2007-2009 Mazda 3 GT's fit my 2005 Mazda 3 sport???

Found a set for sale and I like them.

[Careener]

I have a GX so I run 15" in the winter. I'm 99% sure that the new 17" rims will fit. You can double check at macpek.com. You can look up your exact vehicle.

[Squishy]

As long as they are 5x114.3 (5x4.5") bolt pattern, they should fit fine.

[quadzilla]

I think just like picking your winter tires everything is a compromise. You may give up some things by picking 17's over 16's but if are ok with that, go ahead.

I'm thinking about getting 17's (instead of 16's) for the GTi next winter so I'm running only a -1 setup vs -2. The amount of deep snow that I drive through every year is quite minimal so I'm not worried about that. Sure it will cost more but you have to pay to play.

[Angry Chicken]

I think just like picking your winter tires everything is a compromise. You may give up some things by picking 17's over 16's but if are ok with that, go ahead.

I'm thinking about getting 17's (instead of 16's) for the GTi next winter so I'm running only a -1 setup vs -2. The amount of deep snow that I drive through every year is quite minimal so I'm not worried about that. Sure it will cost more but you have to pay to play.

I'm running 17" alloys on my Mazda3 Sport GT with Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi's in an OE 205/50R17 size and am well pleased with them.  I've made a couple of posts about these wheels and tires along with a mini-review and have included some pictures as well. 

To the OP:  You can use the forum's search function to find them.  Yes, there are some small compromises made when sticking with a relatively low profile tire for winter use but as long as you understand them, the benefits in the look of the vehicle and the handling dynamics might well outweigh the disadvantages.  I can't stand the idea of crappy black steelies (with or without hubcaps) on my car for 5 months of the year. 

/Eric

[slybry]

A few here are referring to the compromises that you have to make when running low profile winter tires.

I sorry but I do not understand what they are other than the cost of the tires and wheels.  Can someone shed a little light on it for me.

I would like to understand before I decide what to set myself up with.

Thanks

[HeliDriver]

A few here are referring to the compromises that you have to make when running low profile winter tires.

I sorry but I do not understand what they are other than the cost of the tires and wheels.  Can someone shed a little light on it for me.

I would like to understand before I decide what to set myself up with.

Thanks

Winter roads can be a mess. All the icy, frozen ridges make the roads bumpy, and nasty potholes can become nearly invisible with a covering of snow.

With low-profile tires, you've got less rubber between the road and the rim. Best case, it makes for a stiff, uncomfortable ride over the bumps; worst case, you end up with a bent rim because there's less sidewall to cushion impacts with potholes.

[Angry Chicken]

A few here are referring to the compromises that you have to make when running low profile winter tires.

I sorry but I do not understand what they are other than the cost of the tires and wheels.  Can someone shed a little light on it for me.

I would like to understand before I decide what to set myself up with.

Thanks

Winter roads can be a mess. All the icy, frozen ridges make the roads bumpy, and nasty potholes can become nearly invisible with a covering of snow.

With low-profile tires, you've got less rubber between the road and the rim. Best case, it makes for a stiff, uncomfortable ride over the bumps; worst case, you end up with a bent rim because there's less sidewall to cushion impacts with potholes.

I agree in general with what you say, but I think you overstated "stiff, uncomfortable".  I don't find the ride any stiffer than with the summer tires, but there's no doubt that potholes can be a problem.

Here are some relevant posts on this forum:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,56705.0.html  (Mini-review of my particular winter tires)
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,60907.0.html  (similar thread to this one)
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,55725.0.html  (Another Mazda3 driver)
http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,56972.msg489861.html#msg489861  (incl. pic of bent rim)

/Eric

[slybry]

Thanks to everyone for the feeback.

Lets say I do opt for 16 inch rubber in winter (maybe on 16 alloys). What size tire should I go for. Replacing the 205/50/17 with 205/55/16 winter tires seems to be correct sizing but shouldn't I try and run a narrower tire in winter to cut through snow?

Any advice on recommended winter tire sizing would be appreciated. Once again it is for a 2005 Mazda Sport 3 GT.

[Angry Chicken]

Thanks to everyone for the feeback.

Lets say I do opt for 16 inch rubber in winter (maybe on 16 alloys). What size tire should I go for. Replacing the 205/50/17 with 205/55/16 winter tires seems to be correct sizing but shouldn't I try and run a narrower tire in winter to cut through snow?

Any advice on recommended winter tire sizing would be appreciated. Once again it is for a 2005 Mazda Sport 3 GT.

Many Mazda3 drivers on this forum use 195/55/16 for their -1 winter tire sizing.  This is actually closer to original fitment than 205/55/16 and gives a narrower tread width for cutting through that snow...

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

/Eric

[tortoise]

A few here are referring to the compromises that you have to make when running low profile winter tires.

I sorry but I do not understand what they are other than the cost of the tires and wheels.  Can someone shed a little light on it for me.

Aside from the cost and potential damage, the availability of winter tires depends on the size/aspect ratio.  If you're looking for an agressive winter tire for handling deep snow it might be unlikely to find it in a 205/50/17.  On the other hand, if you're looking for an H-rated or similarly sporty winter tire that has less of a dry handling compromise then you should be fine going with the 17. 

So, it all comes down to what you want in a tire:

Deep snow performance?  Go with a 16 and get an agressive winter.
Highway/Handling performance?  Go with a 17".

[slybry]

Just FYI...... I just posted picks of my almost Mazda 3 in Show'n Shine

[Angry Chicken]

Just FYI...... I just posted picks of my almost Mazda 3 in Show'n Shine

Wow!  Only 18,000 km.  You're very fortunate.  My 2007 has 47,000 km on it now, after just about 2 years of driving.  /Eric