Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
#1
08-29-2008, 06:00 PM
Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
Hi All,
This will be my first winter with my Mazda 5, and I will be purchasing winter tires and rims. (dont want to mess up my 17's with sand/gravel etc)
My question is, what size 15" tire is needed for the mazda 5? I want the snow tires/rims to be 15" as they are substantially cheaper than buying 17" snow tires.
The current tires on the car are 205-50-R17's. So what 15's will work?
Thanks in advance.
This will be my first winter with my Mazda 5, and I will be purchasing winter tires and rims. (dont want to mess up my 17's with sand/gravel etc)
My question is, what size 15" tire is needed for the mazda 5? I want the snow tires/rims to be 15" as they are substantially cheaper than buying 17" snow tires.
The current tires on the car are 205-50-R17's. So what 15's will work?
Thanks in advance.
#2
08-29-2008, 10:42 PM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
15's won't work.They are too smallto clearthe front brakes.
16's are as small a wheel as will fit, therefore a 205/50-17 (804.44 revs/mile) convertsclosest to a 195/60-16 (799.92 revs/mile),though a 185/60-16 @ 815.2 revs/mile might work the best for you. Either way you'll be close to OE diameter, but w/the 195 your speedo will read low (65 vs 65.37 actual mph.) With the 185 your speedo will be a little high (65 vs. 64.14 actual mph,) but the narrower tread width would be slightly better to cut through the snow. The 185 will effectively lower the final drive ratio also, and should you need "chains" will allow for slightly more fender-well clearance... nearly 1/2" over the 195.
What ever tire you choose, watch the weight/speed rating closely also. IIRC, the Bad Year's are a 91V?
16's are as small a wheel as will fit, therefore a 205/50-17 (804.44 revs/mile) convertsclosest to a 195/60-16 (799.92 revs/mile),though a 185/60-16 @ 815.2 revs/mile might work the best for you. Either way you'll be close to OE diameter, but w/the 195 your speedo will read low (65 vs 65.37 actual mph.) With the 185 your speedo will be a little high (65 vs. 64.14 actual mph,) but the narrower tread width would be slightly better to cut through the snow. The 185 will effectively lower the final drive ratio also, and should you need "chains" will allow for slightly more fender-well clearance... nearly 1/2" over the 195.
What ever tire you choose, watch the weight/speed rating closely also. IIRC, the Bad Year's are a 91V?
#3
08-30-2008, 10:23 AM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
WOW, thats far better than any reply I was expecting. Exactly the info I need. Bummer having to go with a 16", but oh well, that is life. Hopefully I can get a sale - jumping to a 16" adds about $25 a tire and $10 a wheel! (about a $140 CDN difference!)
Not sure what this means? IIRC? 91V? Got me confused here.
IIRC, the Bad Year's are a 91V?
#4
08-30-2008, 04:51 PM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
IIRC= If I Remember Correctly. You can check the sidewall and verify all this information. It's been a while. Igot rid of the Bad-Year's as soon as they came close to wearing out (19,500 miles- 31,382.21 km.) I HATED them, especially when they got older and more worn.
91 is theload indexrating of the tire. You should be at or above that when choosing a replacement tire.
V is the speed rating. Again, try to stay as close as possible to that rating, though in winter tires you may have to downgrade to an H rating. They USUALLY wear better than a higher speed rated tire too. And if snow and ice are the norm in winter, the H rating should not be much of a problem either. Keepit below 100mph (161km/h.)
edit: No! Come to think of it, I believe the Bad-Year's are Y speed rated (up to 186mph- 299.34km/h.) Please check and let me know. An H, by comparison, is up to 130mph, or 209.21km/h, but there's more to it than just how much speed the tire can take too.
91 is theload indexrating of the tire. You should be at or above that when choosing a replacement tire.
V is the speed rating. Again, try to stay as close as possible to that rating, though in winter tires you may have to downgrade to an H rating. They USUALLY wear better than a higher speed rated tire too. And if snow and ice are the norm in winter, the H rating should not be much of a problem either. Keepit below 100mph (161km/h.)
edit: No! Come to think of it, I believe the Bad-Year's are Y speed rated (up to 186mph- 299.34km/h.) Please check and let me know. An H, by comparison, is up to 130mph, or 209.21km/h, but there's more to it than just how much speed the tire can take too.
#5
08-30-2008, 05:04 PM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
Here is what Discount Tire in the US says about speed ratings:
A tire receives its speed rating by the U.S. Government through meeting minimum standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. What does that mean to you? Well, in general, a higher speed rating will result in better car handling.
Two important notes when considering speed rating:
• We do not recommend downgrading the speed rating of your tires. This may result in poor handling and unpredictable steering. However, if you want better cornering response, there is no problem installing a higher speed rated tire on your vehicle.
• Never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause serious problems with the handling of your vehicle.
Below is a list of speed ratings along with the corresponding speeds they represent. Remember, the speeds are test speeds, not recommended speeds.
Q- Up to 100mph
R- Up to 106mph
S- Up to 112mph
T- Up to 118mph
U- Up to 124mph
H- Up to 130mph
V- Up to 149mph
W- Up to 168mph
Y- Up to 186mph
Z- 149mph and over
Two important notes when considering speed rating:
• We do not recommend downgrading the speed rating of your tires. This may result in poor handling and unpredictable steering. However, if you want better cornering response, there is no problem installing a higher speed rated tire on your vehicle.
• Never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This will cause serious problems with the handling of your vehicle.
Below is a list of speed ratings along with the corresponding speeds they represent. Remember, the speeds are test speeds, not recommended speeds.
Q- Up to 100mph
R- Up to 106mph
S- Up to 112mph
T- Up to 118mph
U- Up to 124mph
H- Up to 130mph
V- Up to 149mph
W- Up to 168mph
Y- Up to 186mph
Z- 149mph and over
#6
08-30-2008, 10:39 PM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
Ahh, the tire rating. Gotcha. not sure what these are rated, never bothered to check, but honestly, I never go much over 140km/h in my 5 anyways.
Last car we had was a 2007 VW GTI - it had z rated tires on it. Highest we had that up to was 200 (km/h). Found out later that there was a governer on it that kicked in at (I believe 203 or soemthing stupid like that). Law in Canada apparantly.
Not sure if the 5 would even go that fast if I tried...
Last car we had was a 2007 VW GTI - it had z rated tires on it. Highest we had that up to was 200 (km/h). Found out later that there was a governer on it that kicked in at (I believe 203 or soemthing stupid like that). Law in Canada apparantly.
Not sure if the 5 would even go that fast if I tried...
#7
08-31-2008, 06:09 AM
RE: Tires and Rims - Alternative Sizes (Snow Tires)
No, your 5 should top out (governed) @ 118mph/190kmh just like the NA3's do.
Keep in mind though that the speed rating affects more than just the top speed the tire is rated for. It can seriously affect handling and steering.
"Z" is part of the old rating system and is not very descriptive, though some companies still use it. If you notice it says 149mph and over? Like WTH does that mean, right?
Keep in mind though that the speed rating affects more than just the top speed the tire is rated for. It can seriously affect handling and steering.
"Z" is part of the old rating system and is not very descriptive, though some companies still use it. If you notice it says 149mph and over? Like WTH does that mean, right?
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