smaller snow tire size?

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I've ever seen ads from retailers here with wheel and tire sets that have lower load ratings than the OEM tires. Unless you carry aggregates in the trunk with sumo wrestlers, it's hard to overload tires on a sedan. I ran tiny 13" tires on the Neon for years without issues as they were never close to being overloaded. Just great deep snow and slush performance. Those 15" ones from the tirerack sound great, I would run them without a second thought.


Base Neons came with, IIRC, 165/80R13's.

 

[CapriRacer]

First, if Tire Rack lists the tire size as an option, than you can be sure it will fit and it will be sized correctly. These guys are pro's!!

But you have to input the correct information. I did that based on the OP and some versions of the Elantra will not take a 15" wheel. Be very careful here!!

I've also looked this over to see if Tire Rack did the job correctly - and I can not find any flaws.

But there is one little wrinkle that I have encountered: Your GF is aware she has to buy wheels, right? Sometimes this little detail gets missed.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Donald
GF has 2013 leased Elantra with 215/45R17 tires. She wants snows and TireRack suggests 195/65R15 tires and steelies, to save money and better in snow.

Comments?


Donald,
I just now(1hr ago) ordered General AltiMax Arctic w/steelies from TR in 195-65-15 for my daughters Mazda3. She currently has 205-55-16 HankOptH727s on OE aluminum wheels and the 17" that you mentioned were optional on this car.

Double check TR for the standard size on the Elantra you are ordering for, as the 15" were std on the Mazda3. If the tires/wheels pkg won't fit on the Elantra, TR wouldn't typicaly list it!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
But you have to input the correct information. I did that based on the OP and some versions of the Elantra will not take a 15" wheel.

Just curious, which particular 2013 Elantra version will not take a 15" wheel? I think I've checked all the available 2013 Elantra versions on TR and they all list a 15" winter wheel option.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
I run 195-65-15 in winter and 225-45-17 the rest of year on my corolla. What about 185-65-15? My guess is u can run either the 185 or 195 with no issue. As long as the 185 wont exceed 3%. Plenty of tire options in that size and also cheaper than 17's.


185/65-15 is going to be closer in height to the stock tires than 195/65-15. The weight rating will still be the same, too.

 

[Donald]

I looked at the tire size of the current tires and its 215/45R17. She knows she has to buy rims. But feels the benefit of just swapping rims is worth it (after a little convincing). We are down now to the TPMS which I would just not worry about for the winter.

 

[dparm]

TPMS are generally not expensive and will last a very long time. Unless you are anal about checking the pressures every week, just get the sensors. Also, in some states, you will fail inspection without the sensors.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

If you dont get sensors you should be okay in NY. I get my focus inspected with the winter wheels and no TPMS ... and it passes.

As long as you are running new steel wheels and not junkyard alloys, i dont see them leaking enough to warrant TPMS.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle


Base Neons came with, IIRC, 165/80R13's.


That's kind of an old VW bug size!

I've seen a jump from 155 to 175 in modern supply.

 

[Jarlaxle]

My Escort also used a 165/80R13.

 

[Rand]

some cars will only store 4 tpms sensors so you cant just buy 4 more and run it. (like my subaru)

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle


Base Neons came with, IIRC, 165/80R13's.


That's kind of an old VW bug size!

I've seen a jump from 155 to 175 in modern supply.

The door sticker had 175 something 13's as the base model tire. I lived dangerously on 155/80R13's with a 85mph speed rating... It worked very well in the snow.
I think technically you could argue that you are legal with tires that would hold GVWR of the car, but I wouldn't set up my wife's car that way. Down 1 step in load rating isn't a big deal though IMHO.

 

[Garandman]

I went with 205/55R16 on my WRX instead of 225/45R17.

The -1 diameter and higher tread wall is a success. But nex time I will maintain the tread width as while the narrower tire is a touch better (according to a Norwegian test) than the 225, the handling limits on dry roads are a lot lower.

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
But you have to input the correct information. I did that based on the OP and some versions of the Elantra will not take a 15" wheel.

Just curious, which particular 2013 Elantra version will not take a 15" wheel? I think I've checked all the available 2013 Elantra versions on TR and they all list a 15" winter wheel option.


Opps. My mistake. I looked at the regular tires, not the winter tires. Nevertheless, it pays to be careful.