Snow tires!

Snows are great on the 5. I would recommend a full steel wheel and tire package from tirerack.com. They will ship them mounted and balances.

I would suggest doing the research yourself though, as each person will have their preferences.

One thing I can reiterate though is to go for the 205/55 16s for winter. You can get 17's, but the added expense of tires and mounting will nearly cover the 16s mounted on steelies from tirerack. Also get yours early enough to put a few miles (about 500) on the set before the snow kicks in. This wears off the mold release and opens of the micro air pockets in the snows to make them winter-ready.

Thanks, that was helpful esp. the tirerack suggestion. I was looking at steels & snow tires for her Hyundia when she had it, but that thing was great in the snow if it could get out of the driveway. I've started doing some research on the snows, and after reading some of the posts, was leaning towards 16's because of the prices. Indianapolis doesn't get real heavy snows, but with the distance of her drive(since right now isn't a goodtime to move), whatever I can do to help out, and keep her happy and safe, I'm willing to try.
 
Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA 5's

The wife picked up her MAZDA5 (replaced a MAZDA3 Sedan) about a month ago and was not comfortable at all driving it to and from work which is about a 15 minute commute during periods of snow or ice rain. We live just outside of Ottawa, ON, Canada.

She has become quite used to driving my 06' Subie Impreza with Toyo Observe G-02's on it during those unforgiving days. We outfitted the MAZDA5 with Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA 5's just last weekend and let me say - we are both very impressed with the tires looks, performance and comfortability on the road. The wife will take the MAZDA5 without hesitation now.

I will most likely be selling off my Toyo's next summer / fall to equip my car with these same tires or the Nokian RSI's. You pay a little more but as the saying goes - you get what you pay for! With 2 kids in our cars and the 600Km commute to the inlaws, it's a small price to pay to feel safe.

I love the Black Steelies look for the winter...especially with some aggressive thread to compliment them :)
 
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I love the Black Steelies look for the winter...especially with some aggressive thread to compliment them :)

I need to round up a photo of my '01 Toyota ECHO then.. The Yokohama IG-10 have such large, straight tread blocks that they look like tractor tires. The Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on the 5 seriously look like A/S tires until you see the tread pattern. Both seem to work though. *shrug*
 
I got Bridgestone WS60 from tirerack. I got 205/60-16's because they are cheaper than 205/55. I like the slight oversize look and they fit with no rubbing problems. Just a note, I had them installed at Canadian Tire and later realized they had set the pressure at 30psi. I increased the pressure to 38-40, and they grip even better. Excellent tire for Winnipeg Winters.
 
I got Bridgestone WS60 from tirerack. I got 205/60-16's because they are cheaper than 205/55. I like the slight oversize look and they fit with no rubbing problems. Just a note, I had them installed at Canadian Tire and later realized they had set the pressure at 30psi. I increased the pressure to 38-40, and they grip even better. Excellent tire for Winnipeg Winters.
The 5's owner's manual has a snippet that states snow tires should be inflated to 4.4 lbs over the pressure listed on the placard. I'm running 40lbs, as I like to run a little extra pressure anyway for better fuel economy.

Checking alternate tire sizes is one way to ave a little cash. There is a neat tool here for that: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html The 205/60s are a little bigger, so you will be going faster than indicated by about 2mph @60. Probably not a big deal. I stuck with the stock size for simplicity sake.
 
well, got to drive the 5 last night in the freezing rain we had here. And I'll have to agree with her, it needs something, it had tons of wheel spin at take off, and cornering was something different. Granted I realy haven't driven a FWD car in weather in about 13 years, its been RWD or 4x4. So it will have snow tires next winter.
 
I got Bridgestone WS60 from tirerack. I got 205/60-16's because they are cheaper than 205/55. I like the slight oversize look and they fit with no rubbing problems. Just a note, I had them installed at Canadian Tire and later realized they had set the pressure at 30psi. I increased the pressure to 38-40, and they grip even better. Excellent tire for Winnipeg Winters.
how does the mz5 look on a 205/60-16? got pics?
 
All year snow tire users?

Anyone keep their snow tires on year-round? My REVO1's performed well this season and I cannot stand the curb rash on my stock wheels.
 

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