Hey guys,

I have two essentially brand new 215/50-17 snow tires laying around from my old Mazda6S. My '06 TL takes 235/45-17 tires. Are these sizes compatible. I'm going to put four new tires on the Acura come spring time, but I'd love to use these winters through the upcoming season and start with four fresh tires come spring.

THANKS in advance!

 

Just to clarify, are you thinking about putting two newish 215/50-17 snow tires on one axle and two used 235/45-17 all-season tires on another axle? To give you better, more predictable handling, traction and braking in the snow, rain, and dry? Don't do it, even though the OD is the same. Or are you asking if you should buy two more 215/50-17 snow tires, so that you have four of the same size?

I wouldn't mix sizes, and certainly not type of tire, on your type of car. I once ran 185/60-14 snows with 175/65-14 snows: the car was unstable with the 175's on the front, but rotated much [too] much more easily with the 175s on the rear - but 4 tires the same size, regardless of conditions, is the way to go.

I have often bought two new different snow tires, for one axle, to replace worn or damaged tires, and the difference can - but not always - give the different ends of the car "different, and sometimes unpleasant, personalities". Who else might be driving your car? Don't set them up to fail.

And don't forget that tires with the same nominal size can have very different dimensions, particularly with snow tires: the treadwidth of a 195/55-15 Toyo Garrit KX is at least a full inch wider than that of a "same" sized Toyo Garrit HT!!! I have the narrower tire on the back of a Protege, and it does help the car rotate in snow, but this winter the car will have four identical snow tires.