DP1100

Hi, I'm a new 2002 TL-S owner and would like to get a set of winter tires and rims, for our Toronto winter.

Do you have any specific recommendations?

I guess for Toronto winter tires should be very good for slush and ambient temperatures, not just and maybe not foremost for heavy snowfall.

Also, 215/50-17 is not the most common size - are there enough winter tire choices for that size?
Is that possible to go with the other sizes?
Is that possible to lower speed/load rating or that is not advisable?

Any recommended shops in Toronto area?

Thanks in advance.

derrick

Check out this thread for tires ... https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98283

One place that sells tires / rims:

http://www.tires23.com
1380 Matheson Blvd. E. Unit 8
(905) 602-8881

I'm not advertising them ... some guy I know bought from there. Don't know if they have 'winter tires', per se.

One thing I recommend, however, if you're gonna buy a separate set of rims for winter, get 16" rims ... go with a different tire size (205/60/16) and save yourself a bundle over a 17" rim. Trust me ... you'll save A LOT.

DP1100

Thank you!
I will check this place out.
I have already read the thread you mentioned - a lot of useful stuff...


I was thinking about that.

Any disadvantage of downsizing - in terms of suspension settings, etc.?
I guess there shouldn't be any as standard TL uses 16" rims and tires. Am I right in that common sense?

My question is: how to choose the different size of tires/rims properly?

Probably going to a slightly narrower winter tire would be OK - more pressure per contact spot, but what is the acceptable difference in the external tire diameter?

205/60R16 gives you 652 mm of the external diameter, while the original 215/50R17 - 647 mm. Is 5 mm acceptable or even noticeable?

When I checked before the winter tires for 215/50R17 at tirerack.com, I found that basically only two tires of that diameter and the same speed/load rating (V93) are available - Blizzak LM-25 and Michelin Alpine PA2. Both look terrific in reviews...

I guess if I go down to 16" there will be more options.
However, the question remains - is that possible/advisable to go somewhat down with the speed/load ratings?

power-fade

Get a set of 16's from 2000 to 2002 Accord V6, they are 16x6.5 with +55 offset and use 215/55/16 snowies.

I have 2002 Accord V6 Coupe wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpins.

Bareback

Any disadvantage of downsizing - in terms of suspension settings, etc.? NOPE!

I guess there shouldn't be any as standard TL uses 16" rims and tires. Am I right in that common sense? YES you are correct sir.

205/60R16 gives you 652 mm of the external diameter, while the original 215/50R17 - 647 mm. Is 5 mm acceptable or even noticeable? 205/60/16 is the same as the TL 16" you really don't need to go an smaller than that - they work fine.

demolition_x

i have blizzaks and they are great. lil hum on highway but perform just as good as my mothers ford explorer with auto 4x4

fsttyms1

The best winter tire i have driven to this date is the Dunlop Wintersport M3.

DP1100

I checked winter tires for 205/60R16 - none of them are 93V, and a few are 92H (the rest is with much lower rating).

Those with 92H are:

- Continental ContiWinterContact TS810
- Dunlop Winter Sport M3
- Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2

I guess it's not a big deal to have such a slight downgrade?

Out of these three, what would you recommend?
Anyone used Continental? They are the cheapest

derrick

The 5mm of difference is negligible. Heard great things about the Dunlops (fsttyms1) and the Pilot Alpin PA2 (others). You can read reviews of each tire on Tirerack.com ... I believe the Dunlops are higher rated based upon user's feedback...

fsttyms1

Like derrick said, check out the tirerack and read teh feedback on the tires. I prefer the Dunlops. they are an incredible tire. and have lasted the longest of all the snow tires i have driven. I will say they give up a slight bit of Deap snow traction to some of the others BUT they make up for it in braking and turning ability that is far better than the others i have driven. (and ive never gotten stuck with them and they see very deap snow with my job in the winter)

DP1100

Thanks a lot, guys!

I will take a closer look at Blizzak, Michelin PA2, and Dunlop M3.

Btw, my wife has Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 on her 2004 Accord V6, and they are quite good, but for some reason I expected more from them (in term of snow/ice traction). It looks like they are wearing out pretty fast too.