Slimmer alloys for use with winter tyres?
Discussion
I intend to be a touch more organized next year and finally give some winter tyres a try. So I'll source a spare set of alloys at some point, then pop on some winter tyres. Now seeing as I am free to buy any alloys and tyres out there, would it be ideal to buy slightly narrower wheels and therefore slimmer winter tyres to match?
I'd say a lot of people are thinking the same, I am.
(4 Steel wheels and winter AVON tyres for mine £495)
Thinner tyres will improve grip, just look at those Rally car snow tyres.
However, I think we all need a reassurance that our Insurance company won't throw a wobbly!
After all reducing the possibility of an accident must be seen as a good thing?
Any PH'ers in the Insurance Industry like to comment?
(4 Steel wheels and winter AVON tyres for mine £495)
Thinner tyres will improve grip, just look at those Rally car snow tyres.
However, I think we all need a reassurance that our Insurance company won't throw a wobbly!
After all reducing the possibility of an accident must be seen as a good thing?
Any PH'ers in the Insurance Industry like to comment?
k-ink said:
I'll source a spare set of alloys at some point, then pop on some winter tyres. Now seeing as I am free to buy any alloys and tyres out there, would it be ideal to buy slightly narrower wheels and therefore slimmer winter tyres to match?
If you look in your handbook it will probably mention a range of sizes. Pay particular attention to which sizes allow the use of snow chains as using one of them will give you an added option if conditions get really bad.The reason for a narrower tread is because then the tyres seem to 'cut' into the snow better. I reckon it is probably because of the different shape of contact patch -- a narrower tread results in a longer contact patch which is probably better in snow.
Once you've selected the tyre size, find the wheel size to match. There's an optimum wheel width for each tyre size, and the chances are high that both the tyre and the wheel will be narrower than you're currently using.
If the wheel size is smaller than your current wheel, the tyre sidewall will be taller to maintain the same overall diameter. This has an advantage that you're less likely to damage the wheel if you slide into the kerb! From what I've seen the chances are high that a narrower taller tyre will also be cheaper than your existing size.
If you get steel rather than alloy wheels, then they're likely to be cheaper and often can be bent back if you do kerb them. Because of this it may be worth looking to see if the car manufacturer can supply steel wheels to fit your car - this is normally the case. Mine, 6Jx15, were about £50 each including VAT. Buying from a dealer reduces the problems of having to know the correct PCD and offset.
Finally one issue with smaller wheels - they need to be large enough to fit over the front calipers. Again this is a good reason for talking to a dealer.
k-ink said:
Ok will do. I just wondered if there might be some unwritten rule that something 10-20% slimmer may be beneficial in some way. I'll check the manual etc. Still interested in your thoughts, especially if anyone has tried it...
Well, I've got an MX5 and although my manual is in Japanese my understanding from the forums is that where a car wears 185/60/14 tyres as mine does, the recommended size for snow tyres is 175/65/14, so that's what I've got. They are very effective. 
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