Snow Tire Sizing...little help?

[CelticPride2]

'lo Everyone,
After doing some shopping around I've decided to go with Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's for the winter. Gave the Tire Rack a call on it last week...they have the front tires available in the stock size, but not the back ones. In lieu of stock tire size in the rear, they reccommended 225/55-17. Theroetically, a narrower tire should be better in the snow; however, I've got some concerns about using a tire size other than stock. Will this screw up my TCS or cause other types of problems for me? Any insight is appreciated.

--D.J.

[NSANY]

Well, they DO have the LM-22's in matching front and rear sizes. Does that help? :)

To answer your original question, I'd guess that the difference of a 225 v. a 235 is SO minor, that I'd doubt you'll see much of a difference in the winter months.

Good luck with your choice, let us know what you decide upon.

[CelticPride2]

I did also consider the LM-22's...however, the WS-50 is more of a traditional snow tire. It doesn't have the performance capability of the LM-22, but it appears to have considerably more grip in the snow. And given the ocean of snow that supposed to fall on us this winter, staying on the roads is more important to me than going fast.

--D.J.

[DmitryZ]

Originally posted by CelticPride2
I did also consider the LM-22's...however, the WS-50 is more of a traditional snow tire. It doesn't have the performance capability of the LM-22, but it appears to have considerably more grip in the snow. And given the ocean of snow that supposed to fall on us this winter, staying on the roads is more important to me than going fast.

--D.J.

Why don’t you just buy a 1989 Jeep Cherokee!!! :D
j/k…saw your thread in the other forum and couldn’t resist :D

I agree with NSANY, if you are not conservative like me when it comes to tires sizes you should be ok with WS-50. The difference is pretty small. Personally, I like things to be exactly right so my choice would be the LM-22. If you are worried about price-WS-50 should do just fine.

As far as more proper snow tire goes, I don’t think the WS-50 will be better in the snow than LM-22. But the LM-22 should be a lot better in the dry than WS-50. You are correct, WS-50 is a better snow tire, but I don’t think that applies to the Z. No matter what tires you put on this car, it’s still rwd sports car and it will hit its snow limit way before the snow tires do. I got snow tires/wheels for my Z, but if it snows more than the ground clearance of the car + rwd, I am not going anywhere regardless of what tires I have. From that perspective, the LM-22 will probably be a better choice since it will have a performance advantage on dry roads.

Hope this helps

Welcome to the board!

Dmitry

[EnthuZ]

I have to agree with what Dmitry said.:bowdown: :D

How many days is there snow on the roads? How many days are they clear?

For me, last year there were only about a doZen with snow, if that many. I chose LM22's, and am VERY happy. They are on now, sooooooooooo, I B ready!:cool:

[CelticPride2]

Originally posted by EnthuZ
How many days is there snow on the roads? How many days are they clear?

Very good point...guess I never really thought of it that way. We had a really nasty winter up here in New England last year, and they're predicting more of the same this year. With that being the case, I've been more worried about time on the snowy roads than the clear ones. Perhaps I haven't been seeing the big picture.

This is also going to be my first everyday wintertime experience with rear-wheel drive, so I naturally want to make sure I'm prepared. Last time I drove a rwd vehicle in the snow was my dad's '88 Volvo back in 1996...did just fine with it, but it wasn't a very harsh winter.

--D.J.