So I am going for some winter tires and wondering about the size. I have the 2011 Mazda 2 GX model (Canada). They are stock 185-55-R15 tires and I was looking to use 185-60-R15 tires without changing the stock rims. Will these fit or effect the car in anyway?
I will offer my old fashioned Southern Indiana advice....what I was always told by my father (farm wisdom)...is that you don't want wide/wider snow tires....as you don't want flotation the way you would on mud or soft soil....you want to cut down through the snow to the hard surface below...so my "country wisdom" would lead me to put OEM sized snow tires on my 2...if I felt I needed them. The other potential issue could be rubbing by an "oversized" tire...but one of our other colleagues would be better versed to comment on that issue...I haven't paid much attention to the threads that talk about which larger tire sizes work...as I have no desire to go to a larger tire on my 2.
So I am going for some winter tires and wondering about the size. I have the 2011 Mazda 2 GX model (Canada). They are stock 185-55-R15 tires and I was looking to use 185-60-R15 tires without changing the stock rims. Will these fit or effect the car in anyway?
I tried 155-65-15 and they rubbed in the back and may rub in the front if pushed hard. 60s may be close, or they may also rub if the car is pushed hard (suspension-wise). If you can, stay with stock size. Even in same size there are small differences between manufacturers so YMMV.
I would also suggest that you get a separate set of winter wheels as well. You don't want to be switching tires off/on your stock rims every season. More chance for wheel and tire damage doing that so often.
Why not get it? It is a good system. If the TPMS sensors fit, and if you want them, they are about 125 on e-bay for the four. If you buy the wheels and tires from the same source, then expect to pay 50-75 a piece for the TPMS sensors. C'est la Vie.
I thought Canadian models didn't have TPMS. Pretty sure you don't need it. Even if you do have it, you'll just have the dash alert on while the winter set up is on. More of an annoyance really and won't affect operation of the car at all.
Tire Rack has the Michelin x-ice xi2 in stock in our size. Mine just arrived and will be installed over the next couple of days when I get around to it. If you are close to the border you can have them shipped states-side and drive down to have them installed. I am assuming that you cannot find these locally. Alternatively, see if a local tire distributor can have them shipped to Canada for you.
