Hi

I have a 2002 Protege 5, I love the car, but the tires on it now are terrible in the snow. I'm considering some winter tires and I'm curious about opinions on studded vs. stud-less on this car. Also, right now the tire size is 195/50R16, if I get snow tires for the existing rims how big can I go? Ideally I'd like a dedicated set of rims with snow tires, if so, can I go down to 15" rims and still clear the brakes? What other issues besides the speedo being off should I worry about?

Thanks.

 

i have gone as high as 205/55/16 and blizzaks are, from what i have heard, one of the best snow tires that you can get for the p5. you can fit 15's on the car and still clear the brakes, so that isn't a big deal. as far as studded vs. non-studded, i don't know here. i always go stud less, but i only have to worry about ice once or twice a year.

 

Hello: I have a 2002 protege 5 and the original tires again are worn. You indicate that you have had 205/55/16 size tires onyour protege 5 and their are no clearance issues? The original performance tires are too expensive 195/50/16 and was concerned about the larger size 205/55/16 fitting. The mazda dealer suggested 245/50/16 but they are also expensive .Any help would be appreciated.

 

205's fit just fine. i have 17's now with 215/40/17, and there are no clearance issues at all. 2 inch drop is coming next and they should still even clear then.

 

if your only going to be using the tires for winter just go out and buy regular studded ones because there is no point in throwing your money into high preformance snow tires for a couple months just buy a plan set of 15" rims and put the winter tires on that because if you put winter tires on your regular rims and if they have the studs and you use them in the summer you will wear the studs out then you basicly threw your money away.

 

Iput a set of Yokahama Guardian studless 195/55/15 tires on my P5 each winter. They work fairly well (not as much grip as studs) and the overall diameter is about the same as the 195/50/16's so I don't have to worry about the speedometer being off. I also like having the snow tires and second hand wheels on when I have to use chains. I'd hate to scratch up those polished 16" wheels by dragging a set of chans over them.