extra set of rims and tires (winters) Any recommendations?
#1
12-25-2014 | 12:50 AM
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From: Kelowna, BC, Canada
extra set of rims and tires (winters) Any recommendations?
I have a mazda 3 (my daughter's Christmas present actually) and I want to make it safe for her by buying an extra set of tires and rims. Can anyone give suggestions? And, ... what was the original size tire that came with a typical Mazda 3 anyway?
#2
12-25-2014 | 08:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Canada
Best to phone Mazda on sizes.
Example: My car has 17" rims on it, there is also 18" rims available. However with snow tires it's best to go with 16" as long as it fits over brakes. (MazdaSpeed has larger brakes). I have 17" summer tires and 16" winter tires. The reason being that 16" sidewalls have more flex than a larger say 18". the 16" is better for potholes and for winter traction. Snow tires are normally softer than regular tires and a little more softness in sidewall will ensure a good tire foot print and smoother ride.
Also normally 18" rims are wider. A wider tire is useless for a snow tire. If possible go with a thinner, generally what Mazda specs for their winter tire.
Please phone Mazda and don't be afraid to ask what they recommend for winter tire sizes and rim size for your particular car year.
As long as your tire is a dedicated snow tire with a snowflake symbol you should be fine as these will all have softer tire compound. Stay away from all season tires as they are 3 season tires and start to fail when temp gets below 7 degrees celcius due to there harder compound. All Weather tires are good all year round but not as good in winter as a dedicated winter tire. Stay away from studded tires unless you have a lot of ice and put the studs on, otherwise that area of tire is useless.
Example: My car has 17" rims on it, there is also 18" rims available. However with snow tires it's best to go with 16" as long as it fits over brakes. (MazdaSpeed has larger brakes). I have 17" summer tires and 16" winter tires. The reason being that 16" sidewalls have more flex than a larger say 18". the 16" is better for potholes and for winter traction. Snow tires are normally softer than regular tires and a little more softness in sidewall will ensure a good tire foot print and smoother ride.
Also normally 18" rims are wider. A wider tire is useless for a snow tire. If possible go with a thinner, generally what Mazda specs for their winter tire.
Please phone Mazda and don't be afraid to ask what they recommend for winter tire sizes and rim size for your particular car year.
As long as your tire is a dedicated snow tire with a snowflake symbol you should be fine as these will all have softer tire compound. Stay away from all season tires as they are 3 season tires and start to fail when temp gets below 7 degrees celcius due to there harder compound. All Weather tires are good all year round but not as good in winter as a dedicated winter tire. Stay away from studded tires unless you have a lot of ice and put the studs on, otherwise that area of tire is useless.
Last edited by UseYourNoggin; 12-25-2014 at 09:16 AM.
#3
01-01-2015 | 09:16 PM
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The OEM 16" wheels are a 195/55/16 IIRC. OEM 17" are 205/50/17.
If you have a 3i model you can drop to a 15" wheel, 3s 16" wheel, MS3 I think you can barely shoehorn a 16" on, but a 17" might be the smallest you can go and still clear the brakes.
I ordered 16" steelies from tire rack with Blizzak WS-80's. Haven't installed them as of yet as our temps have been fluctuating above and below 40 degrees recently. I waiting until we're consistently below 40 to swap them out.
If you have a 3i model you can drop to a 15" wheel, 3s 16" wheel, MS3 I think you can barely shoehorn a 16" on, but a 17" might be the smallest you can go and still clear the brakes.
I ordered 16" steelies from tire rack with Blizzak WS-80's. Haven't installed them as of yet as our temps have been fluctuating above and below 40 degrees recently. I waiting until we're consistently below 40 to swap them out.
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