[Matt89]

I have an 08 Focus SES with 205/50/16 tires. I recently moved into a mountainous area and feel the need to get snow tires this winter. After doing a lot of internet searching, it seems that most winter tires that match my current tires are in the $200 range! Yes tires are expensive in Canada [bigcry]

I found some winter tires that are a little cheaper, but they run slightly larger at 205/55/16. Will these fit my car?

 

[Mr Orange SVT]

As shown in the linked chart they will be a taller tire.
http://ejelta.com/tiresize/index.html?ws16=1&ws15=1&ws14=1&m=&tiresize=205%2F50-16&maxdelta=4&minwidth=185&maxwidth=205&minratio=45&maxratio=70&minwheel=16&maxwheel=16

This second chart link shows an actual overlay delta between the tires. You will have to watch your speed as you will be going faster than indicated. I'm not sure if you'll have a rubbing issue or not.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php?tires=205-50r16-205-55r16

 

[sailor]

Here's a recent thread that goes on a bit about your question:http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=468761

Read it all, end result is that they'll work but speedo will be off as mentioned.

 

[plex07st]

205/55-16 is what I use on mine, summer and winter tires. No problems at all. When comparing speed using GPS, my speed is about 2-3 mph more than indicated on the speedometer at 65. There is a lot more choices in this size tire, also. Go for it!

 

[thenorm]

205/55/16 is the recommended size for winter tires and wheels for the SVT focus in the SVT owners manual supplement.

ive had 2 set winters in that size.

go for it.

 

[o buoy]

The other thread referred to was mine and I have been going in circles on this issue for a while now so, a couple of days ago I got serious and found a shop that would help me experiment.

I thought I had 2 possible alternatives to the hard to find and costly 205/50/16; 195/60/15 and 205/55/16.

We tried both on OEM Ford rims.
With the 15" rim, the clearance between the caliper and rim was less than 1/16".
Too close for me.
The 205/55/16 was not an issue; top, side, front or back.

Now, the caveat is:
That was my car. I have had tire techs tell me they have seen "some" fitment issues with both options.
I will be going with 205/55/16.

 

[Gravey ZX5]

You could go for a 195 tire, narrower tires are actually better in winter.