zax123

Hi guys,

I have a '05 6MT TL with 17" rims and a tire dealer told me I should get 215/50R17 instead of the stock size of 235/45R17. He said the stock size is not safe in snow. Does anyone know anything about this? I'm wary to simply believe the guy.

Two dealers are telling me that Dunlop Winter Sport M3 is sold out everywhere in Montreal, so they are suggesting either Toyo Garit HT or Toyo Snow Proxes S950. Does anyone have a suggestion as to which is better?

Could someone please shed some light on the tire size thing too? Thanks guys.

RayDub

For sure a little thiner is gonna help in the show!

zax123

Well, 215 is 2cm thinner... that's quite a lot no? And will 215/50 definitely fit on the stock rims? I have a second set of the stock rims for winter...

Has anyone else done this?

Any word on the Garit vs. S950?

RayDub

I dunno but keep us informed on what u put cause i'll need some too pretty soon...there's like an inch of show now at my house this morning!!

Shoot2Thrill

235 not safe! Mount a 215 on a 8 inch rim? If he said to me I would say thanks and run from the place as fast as possible. If you do decide to run a 215 which I hope not. I would take the car to a nice set of curbs and as evenly as you can grind the rims into them. That way you wont have the uneven appearance of the typical damage you will surely encounter!

zax123

Shoot2Thrill, that's what I thought... so what the heck is this guy talking about? ARGH. So the 235 IS safe in snow then? We get lots of it here in Montreal!

soljc

No doubt a narrower tire is better for snow, but I echo the above comments in saying I find it hard to believe 235/45/17 isn't safe in snow conditions.

Shoot2Thrill

I honestly don't waste time at tire stores. tires.com or tirerack.com are loaded with much better technical people. Get the tires and have them mounted at costco etc...

zax123

Anyone have any advice as to which Toyo is better, or should I really try and find the M3s?

Dan Martin

You don't want to go any narrower than 225 on a 8" wide wheel. The Toyo's are great tires BTW.

zax123

Thanks Dan, are both Toyos the same? Is one model better than the other for our cars?

Rafiksao

Check out this site for proper tire size replacement

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html