pidori79

I have to get winter tires for a 2009 tsx.

Standard size is 225/50/17's wondering if it matters if i get

225/45/17?

any help is appreciated.

thanks

Nedmundo

Normally, winter tires are higher profile, and sometimes they're narrower as well. The higher profile makes sense for more impact absorbtion from potholes, and you get better snow traction from narrower tires. My 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero had 225/45/17 for regular tires, and for winter tires the Tire Rack recommended a 205/55/16 set. Also, if you keep the 17" rims and go to a lower profile (45), you'll throw off the speedometer and odometer, though I'm sure the dealer could recalibrate for the different tire circumference.

On the TSX four cylinder, I'd probably just get the same size as the OEM set. Call Tire Rack for their recommendation.

09TSXTech

You want your wheel and tire to be within 3% of stock diameter, 225/45/17 would be 3.41% therefore not suitable.

Use this link to try out: http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

Agree with Ned, should stick with the OEM size which is a popular size. If not, try 215/50/17 (only 1.51% difference) and that's the size used for 1G TSX as well and Mazda6.

SilverCU3

As has already been mentioned, for winter driving a smaller contact area is required to afford improved traction. I'd suggest that a 55 profile is desirable as the tread width will be less than the same width tyre with a 50 profile.

I think I'd go for a 205/55x17 or 215/55x17. The 205s are the same diameter as the stock 225s but they will be a bit stretched on 7.5s. The 215s are better and, yes, I know the diameter will be increased over the 225/50s (approx. additional 0.5"), but it's not a significant amount. In fact, it''s the same diameter as the 235/45x18s fitted to the Type S in Europe.

Also, be aware that different tyre manufacturer's products vary in width & diameter, even though they are the same nominal size. Get the data from your current tyre and then use that to choose the lowest diameter 215/55 available from an alternative manufacturer.

pidori79

thanks so much for the info

su719

For winter the smaller contact patch is always better. That is why you will see the tire rack offer options smaller than stock. I am running 205 620 16 on my TSX.