Topic: Should I use 17 inch winter wheels on CX-5

[Slow_lane]

Our new CX-5 Gt is riding on 225/55/19 tires. I have been looking for 2nd hand set of winter wheels/ alloys. Would love to find a set off current version of CX-5 that has the OEM offset of 45. No luck yet. All I am finding is wheels from previous gen that have offset of 50.

Anyways I remember on my BMW when riding on winter blizzaks I found way more squirmy than my summers even though both were 16 inches. I am concerned that moving down from 19 to 17 inch wheel (225/65/17 tire) is really going to impact the way the CX-5 drives. Maybe there are better driving winter tires than the blizzaks.

I know it is more expensive but I am considering now looking for 19 inches to run in winter purely to retain better ride control. I am being stupid here?

Any CX-5 owners out them that go from 19's in summer to 17's in winter that can comment of driving impact.

[PJungnitsch]

Test on that here:
https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/The-differences-between-16-17-and-18-Inch-winter-tyres.htm

As the article mentions the type of tire might make more of difference than anything

The Blizzaks have a really deep tread for a winter tire. A 'performance' winter might suit you better, or even a regular one like an X-Ice, if they still have the lower treads they used to

[Fobroader]

I dropped from 19"s to 18"s on our Lexus and from 18"s to 17"s on the Ridgeline. More sidewall in the winter is better and bigger sidewall is cheaper.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

FWIW, I wouldn't worry too much about going from 50 offset to 45.  That's a TINY difference. 

[rrocket]

FWIW, I wouldn't worry too much about going from 50 offset to 45.  That's a TINY difference.

I've seen tiny difference like that difference between touching and not touching caliper.



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[Great_Big_Abyss]

FWIW, I wouldn't worry too much about going from 50 offset to 45.  That's a TINY difference.

I've seen tiny difference like that difference between touching and not touching caliper.



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I think that's probably an issue on a higher performance vehicle where tolerances are tight, but not on a CX-5.

Anyway, I went to a 45 offset on my winter tires, and no issues.

[tortoise]

What model of Blizzaks are you referring to?

The WS-80 really improved the driving manners and the WS-90 continues that trend.  They are leagues better than the WS-70.

For reference, on the Golf I go from 17's to 15''s and don't find my WS-90s to be squirmy.

[rrocket]

FWIW, I wouldn't worry too much about going from 50 offset to 45.  That's a TINY difference.

I've seen tiny difference like that difference between touching and not touching caliper.



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I think that's probably an issue on a higher performance vehicle where tolerances are tight, but not on a CX-5.

Anyway, I went to a 45 offset on my winter tires, and no issues.

You're probably not wrong.

[Fobroader]

FWIW, I wouldn't worry too much about going from 50 offset to 45.  That's a TINY difference.

I've seen tiny difference like that difference between touching and not touching caliper.



Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk

I think that's probably an issue on a higher performance vehicle where tolerances are tight, but not on a CX-5.

Anyway, I went to a 45 offset on my winter tires, and no issues.

You're probably not wrong.

Plus, aluminum rims vs steel caliper, they will self clearance 

[Weels]

We ran 225/65/17's on our old CX-5 (WS80's).  Plan to use same on the new one.
Agree that the WS80's were a big improvement over the 70's.  Will buy whatever the new one is to replace them

Main difference you will notice is the winters are noisier, but not much different in driveability.

[Slow_lane]

I suspect / think my Blizzaks were WS60's (maybe 70's). BMW is gone now. I think I bought them in 2013. But they were squirmy for sure. I found highway driving a little concerning.  Maybe the new Blizzaks have improved to point where it would not be an issue.

I think that's probably an issue on a higher performance vehicle where tolerances are tight, but not on a CX-5.

Anyway, I went to a 45 offset on my winter tires, and no issues.

My research tells me that the OEM spec for current gen is offset 45. So your winter wheels are matching spec.

Been super busy lately (long story) so I have not had time to get to dealer to discuss offset and whether offset of 50 would be an issue on me CX-5. Many think it would not be an issue but I have not heard from a current gen CX-5 owner that has actually tried it. I even tried posting on Mazda forum and could not get a clear answer.

My spec understanding is based on this website

https://www.offfset.com/pages/wheel-fitment-calculator

[tortoise]

I suspect / think my Blizzaks were WS60's (maybe 70's). BMW is gone now. I think I bought them in 2013. But they were squirmy for sure. I found highway driving a little concerning.  Maybe the new Blizzaks have improved to point where it would not be an issue.

Being a Blizzak guy, I've had the 60's, the 80's and the 90's.  Night and day difference in the longevity and handling. 

[Slow_lane]

I am a little frustrated as I have not heard from any owner of Current CX-5 that has used a wheel with an offset of 50 vs stock 45. I went to dealer on Thursday and spoke to service and got a non-answer. Surprisingly they really did not know.

But today I went to multiple wheel supplier websites and when I put in my CX-5 model to get a list of wheels that are to fit. Every one of them except one provided some options that have and offset of 50. The website state they guarantee fit. I am thinking would confirm that a Mazda wheel with a 50 offset would work.

The reason I am so hot to trot on this is because there are many 2nd hand alloys from previous gen CX-5 available for sale. All having an offset of 50.

[Gurgie]

I am a little frustrated as I have not heard from any owner of Current CX-5 that has used a wheel with an offset of 50 vs stock 45. I went to dealer on Thursday and spoke to service and got a non-answer. Surprisingly they really did not know.

But today I went to multiple wheel supplier websites and when I put in my CX-5 model to get a list of wheels that are to fit. Every one of them except one provided some options that have and offset of 50. The website state they guarantee fit. I am thinking would confirm that a Mazda wheel with a 50 offset would work.

The reason I am so hot to trot on this is because there are many 2nd hand alloys from previous gen CX-5 available for sale. All having an offset of 50.

What does this site give you?

https://n4sm.com/wheel-offset-calculator

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[EV Dan]

17" is also a factory specified option so while the car will feel more disconnected from the road, it's not a bad thing in winter as it will keep the rims further away from potholes.
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?wheel1=225-55-19X7.0ET45&wheel2=225-65-17X7.0ET45
Change the offset to 50 and see if you like what it shows.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

It'll be fine.... It's not like Mazda is changing the suspension geometry or brakes from year to year.  A set of wheels from the previous gen CX-5 (which is actually the current gen, sans the facelift and interior changes) will fit the new one.

The difference in offset you're seeing is likely to account for wider rims on the higher trim models.

[ArticSteve]

^^

I dropped the MDX down to 18s in summer from the OEM 20 inch and I drive faster than 95% of people and I notice zero difference in handling.  X-ICE on the 18s and Blizzack on the 20's.  Blizzacks being much better in highway slush of course.   It's the tire in winter of course.

But, go for an OEM exact fit wheel.  That's what's important.

[Slow_lane]

It'll be fine.... It's not like Mazda is changing the suspension geometry or brakes from year to year.  A set of wheels from the previous gen CX-5 (which is actually the current gen, sans the facelift and interior changes) will fit the new one.

The difference in offset you're seeing is likely to account for wider rims on the higher trim models.

Do higher trims really have wider wheels like 7.5 vs 7.0? According to fitment website that would mean wheel if 6mmm closer to suspension and brakes. Going from 45 to 50 offset only brings it 5mm closer. So logically if a 7.5 inch rim works a 50 offset should work on a 7.0 wheel.

Found a great set of rims. Seller was local and said they came off a 2019 CX-5 which would mean they have an offset of 45 like I need. Went and saw them. They were in perfect shape but had an offset of 50. This means they were off an older CX-5. Arrrrggghhhh  

I think the offset 50 will work but I cannot pull the trigger on a purchase without knowing for sure. I do not want to get into re-selling the rims if they do not work.  Just cannot find a set of wheels off current generation.

Sorry for flogging this topic to death.

[Gurgie]

It'll be fine.... It's not like Mazda is changing the suspension geometry or brakes from year to year.  A set of wheels from the previous gen CX-5 (which is actually the current gen, sans the facelift and interior changes) will fit the new one.

The difference in offset you're seeing is likely to account for wider rims on the higher trim models.

Do higher trims really have wider wheels like 7.5 vs 7.0? According to fitment website that would mean wheel if 6mmm closer to suspension and brakes. Going from 45 to 50 offset only brings it 5mm closer. So logically if a 7.5 inch rim works a 50 offset should work on a 7.0 wheel.

Found a great set of rims. Seller was local and said they came off a 2019 CX-5 which would mean they have an offset of 45 like I need. Went and saw them. They were in perfect shape but had an offset of 50. This means they were off an older CX-5. Arrrrggghhhh  

I think the offset 50 will work but I cannot pull the trigger on a purchase without knowing for sure. I do not want to get into re-selling the rims if they do not work.  Just cannot find a set of wheels off current generation.

Sorry for flogging this topic to death.

Had the same issue with offset for my SLK, so I brought my jack & tools with me when I went to check out some wheels & test fit them onsite. Easiest way to ensure they fit.

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[Blueprint]

It'll be fine.... It's not like Mazda is changing the suspension geometry or brakes from year to year.  A set of wheels from the previous gen CX-5 (which is actually the current gen, sans the facelift and interior changes) will fit the new one.

The difference in offset you're seeing is likely to account for wider rims on the higher trim models.

Do higher trims really have wider wheels like 7.5 vs 7.0? According to fitment website that would mean wheel if 6mmm closer to suspension and brakes. Going from 45 to 50 offset only brings it 5mm closer. So logically if a 7.5 inch rim works a 50 offset should work on a 7.0 wheel.

Found a great set of rims. Seller was local and said they came off a 2019 CX-5 which would mean they have an offset of 45 like I need. Went and saw them. They were in perfect shape but had an offset of 50. This means they were off an older CX-5. Arrrrggghhhh  

I think the offset 50 will work but I cannot pull the trigger on a purchase without knowing for sure. I do not want to get into re-selling the rims if they do not work.  Just cannot find a set of wheels off current generation.

Sorry for flogging this topic to death.

Had the same issue with offset for my SLK, so I brought my jack & tools with me when I went to check out some wheels & test fit them onsite. Easiest way to ensure they fit.

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This. My replica Subaru winter wheels have the previous-gen offset, so I tried one up front before having the tires mounted. They spun with no contact. I kept the oem 18" but only because of 1) the deal on clearance wheels and 2) access to passenger car tires instead of SUV fitments (in 17").