Hey, I'm looking for a recommended winter tire size, and if people have preferences for certain brands for snowy areas. I'm not too concerned about ice tires - we get little ice here in SW Ont, more snow/slush.

My 02 LX currently has 215 all seasons (AKA no seasons) but included in the sale of the vehicle were white lettered 235 all seasons sitting in the hatch. I'm planning to dump both these sets for winter tires, since it's my winter vehicle.

I believe going narrower with winter tires is preferable, so I'm thinking the 215s should be better than the 235s. What should the ratio be for 215s so they don't throw off the speedometer?

Comments/feedback welcome please!

Cheers, Mark

 

60 is the aspect ratio of the tire. If you are OK with the 215/60's that are on it, then just use 215/60's in a Winter tire. I had great luck with Dunlop Wintersports on my wife's Mazda6.

 

Thanks for the input. The 215s were not the correct size, as the aspect ratio could not be bumped up to accommodate, so with the help of the tire salesman, I'm getting 50% off Firestone winter tires, 235/70/16 (std size). I checked around, and the price I'm getting is excellent - even cheaper than the offshore Korean brands (maybe Firestone is made offshore now, not sure).
Don't know why the Cooper 215s were ever put on this vehicle in the first place - I assume the salesman said whatever it took to get rid of this size, which probably didn't fit much else.

Cheers, Mark

 

The crappy OEM Firestones lasted for about 2 years: from 2000 (September) to end of 2002. Since then I have the Nokian WR. Excellent choice. I still have over 1/2 thread left on them. Mine is a 2001 Tribby v6 AWD
I have the Nokian Hakkapelita on my other car - but these are very aggressive winter tires.

 

I've got the Firestone Winterforce tires installed and am now driving the Tribute as my winter vehicle. It is cold in SW Ont today, and feels like our first bit of snow is just around the corner.
The tires look meaty and the tread aggressive, yet they drive as quietly as the Cooper Discovery all seasons they replaced. I will post my feedback once I've had opportunity to drive in winter conditions (not really in a hurry for that :-)
As for tire sizing, this vehicle seems to accommodate both the 215 and 235mm widths. Both are referenced on the tire size door placard. It may be a case where the lower end models (DX) had the skinnier tires perhaps. That makes sense to me, as I imagine the standard 2.0L 130HP 4 cyl engine offered in the DX model would have a tough time pushing 235mm tires - too much resistance for the engine output.

Cheers, Mark

 

We have used the Goodyear Fortera last winter and they were great. The Tribute handles as good in the snow as my Chev Duramax.

 

Yes Mark, the 215 are for the smaller 4 banger engine, and 235's are for the v6.

 

Ah, good to know....thanks. I was just using logic in my guess.
Waiting for our first accumulation of snow in SW Ont to test out these fat, aggressive tires, as last week we had a mild spell, and they are predicting mild temps again this week (rain, no snow). Guess I'll have to wait for winter conditions until at least the second week of December, when I'm back from my cruise.

Cheers, Mark