Official Winter Tires Thread: Please post any winter questions here!

[yeroc40]

so stock 17" on my 2012 se show diameter of 25.5"
The recommended 195/65-15 winters have a diameter of 25"
Looks like a 205/65-15 will match the 25.5" diameter of the OE

Any reason not to run the 205s vs the 195s?

[TommyTooHi]

Apple-pologies to the hosts, but sears has free shipping/$100 off their sale prices on winter tires, through TOMORROW.

Tried ordering Falken Eurowinter HS439 - 205/55R16 94V BW which would have been under $400 shipped...

Those AND the other Falken winter's were reportedly on national back order?! Poop.

I picked up a set of SE 16" mags, ready to roll, once I find a decent snow/winter that is not much over $400 for the SVT winter work.

options/sales????

somewhere way back in this thread (I think) the recommended size for SVT's was 205/55R16 -

other 16" options???

=T_T

[TommyTooHi]

update: Falken Espia snows WERE available-
205/55-16 $342.31 shipped to Sears, includes shipping/mount+balance/valve stems/tax.

I think I won!

-T_T


update - best to order SOON, the closer it gets to snow season, the smaller the choices/higher the prices!!!
Now...
Sears called me, as they can't GET the Falkens, so I swapped for Firestone Winterforce, which sound like a better tire anyway. the $150 worth of discounts still applied, so I'm happy.
P.S. - $100 off sale ended yesterday, sorry~~~ still have free shipping and a $50 online offer, which about covers mount/balance.

[krongh]

Hello, I'm a newbie user here, but have read through this thread and either I'm too stunned and missed it, but don't see an answer to my question.

Question being:

I have a 2012 Focus Titanium sporting 215 50 R17 tires, and want to get winter tires for it. There is a good sale on winters at my local garage, but they don't have that exact size. They have both 215 55 R17 or 225 50 R17 available. Would I be able to put either of those sizes on my car?

Thanks in advance, and great site!!

[Custodian]

The weather in S Illinois was in the 70's today... but the calendar says November... so I swapped my summer alloys for my factory alloys with winter tires. Put on a fresh set of wiper blades & ran the windshield washer reservoir empty before a carwash... filled the reservoir with Rain X orange when I got home. I am ready for winter.

[mbr31]

Hey guys, Quick question, I have a 2007 Focus ZX5 and i have purchased rims and tires for winter off kijiji that came off an older (2000 to 2004) focus they are 185/65/R14. i ran into some problems with a lug nut on the rear (long story) Took it to ford and the tech said that the rears will fit no problem, But the fronts wont cause they will rub on the brake calliper...... Is this legit, i actually never saw him put them on but has anyone else run into this?

[cheekedave]

Hey guys! Quick question.. I have the 2012 SEL, and I found a set of rims for cheap. I have the optional 17's on right now (All season) and want to go down to 15's for Winter only. The rims I found have the right bolt pattern (5x108) but the rim width is 6.5". Will that work having that width? I am going to get a 195/65R15 as that is whats recommended.

If anyone could help I would appreciate it!

Thanks guys!

[Ghanes03]

Originally Posted by cheekedave

Hey guys! Quick question.. I have the 2012 SEL, and I found a set of rims for cheap. I have the optional 17's on right now (All season) and want to go down to 15's for Winter only. The rims I found have the right bolt pattern (5x108) but the rim width is 6.5". Will that work having that width? I am going to get a 195/65R15 as that is whats recommended.

If anyone could help I would appreciate it!

Thanks guys!

It is okay to run that setup. I will do some more checking tomorrow at work if I get the time. The thing you have to understand with snow tires is that there is much more siping in a snow tire the chances for tread squirm will increase especially if the sidewall height increases.

[bflesher]

Depends if you have any options such as brakes with the 17" wheels, if so the brakes won't clear. Anyway the width of the 15" wheels will be fine if you do not have larger than base model brakes.

[TommyTooHi]

At least they don't spoil - they'll be good for next year too~

I did the same, and it was like driving 4 on rubber stilts. The guy that did the alignment said something to the effect of "Dope- of course!". The alignment helped, but still...

Then, it didn't snow in the Seattle area, but I'll have the Firestone WinterForce's for the NEXT few years.

-T_T