quick question guys, on my 09 mazda 6 the stock tire size is 235/45/18 and i want to put snow tires this winter, can I put the smaller size 225/55/16?

 

I don't know about 09, but i have 16's on my 06.
A quick phone call to your Local Mazda dealer will clarify this, as normally winter tires are on smaller rims because low profile tires are not a good choice in winter.
In 2006, Mazda 6 GT was 18's, i have 17's stock and winter tires are 16's.

 

Check your door jam, that will tell you what the manufacture says your factory size is for wheels & tires..

I doubt very much that 235/45R18 is factory regardless of if they came from the dealer with those on it.. Factory specs are a HUGE difference from Factory..

2009 Mazda Mazda6 Specifications

WHEELS
Front 205/60 R16
Rear 205/60 R16
Front Rim Size 6x16
Rear Rim Size 6x16

Here are a couple of calculators to help you..
http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-r...MAZDA&Models=6

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...mp;vehicle=yes

 

Nice Find Pantharen!
WHEELS
Front 205/60 R16
Rear 205/60 R16
Front Rim Size 6x16
Rear Rim Size 6x16

Same as my 06! The 16" rims and tires are skinnier which is better for winter tires. Wide tires in the winter suck! The 16" ones are cheaper as well.

 

*Pantharen- FYI 09 and newer Maz6 come with three option, 16", 17" & 18" wheels from factory, I happen to own a GT that the standard size is 235/45/18.

- I know that 205/60/16 will fit, the thing is that I already have a set that is 225/55/16 and I wanted to double check if this would work before I spend the time test fitting them.

 

Found This:
P225/50R16 91S

The 225 indicates this tire is 225 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. This measurement is also referred to as the tire's section width. Because many people think of measurements in inches, the 225mm can be converted to inches by dividing the section width in millimeters by 25.4 (the number of millimeters per inch).

225mm / 25.4 = 8.86"

P225/50R16 91S

The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.

If your recommended 16" is 205/60 R16, i'll leave you to calculate this tire specs compared to your 225/55 . I think the height may be OK (not sure) but it is a bit wider. Would recommend 6.5" rims.
Although link below suggests 6-8 inches would be be fine, 6 inch wide may be OK. Phone a tire guy to see if 225/55 could be a replacement for 205/60 and what size wide rim he would recommend.

Found 225/55 R17 specs, should be same only 17" rims.

READ: https://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/whe...ensions-30376/

When changing tire sizes, we recommend staying within 3% of the diameter/height of the original tire. Any more than this and you face the risk of brake failure. FROM: http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp*
3% = 3 km/hr when doing 100 km/hr.

 

From what I found, in 09 they only came with 16" & 17" from the factory, and 18" was available through the dealer. (again check your door jam, that will tell you what factory recommends)

 

I have a Mazda 6 Sport Wagon (GS, not GT) and my door jamb just lists the 16" and 17" tire sizes, however I still have the original brochure from Mazda and in it it does state for GT tire size is 215/45R18. Are 18" listed on a GT door sticker? or is Mazda just saving money by not putting it on a sticker, LOL.

 

Shrug... You never really know what FORD does when they build stuff.. I'll stick with Classic Mazda's.. LOL I was told by "Mazda" that 235/75R15's would NOT fit on my MPV.. Hmmm my MPV was running 235/75R15's until I decided to sell it, then I went back to the 225/75R15's..