Who is switching to winter tires and steel wheels?

[HyFlyer]

This is exactly what would be expected when going from 19" to 17" because the 17" tires have a taller profile.

That and thick new winter tread compound is soft and squirmy

 

[Lazy2.5]

This is exactly what would be expected when going from 19" to 17" because the 17" tires have a taller profile.

Manufacturers simply follow demand with big wheels because it looks "cooler" or more "sporty", more "luxurious" etc. in the eyes of the average consumer.

Other than providing clearance for bigger brakes (Which could be negated if modern vehicles did not weigh so much) There is literally no practical benefit to bigger wheels with skinnier tires.

You can achieve the same handling/steering response with smaller wheels and thicker aspect ratio tires by adjusting tire pressure within reason. If anything, smaller wheels are usually lighter, offering an advantage.

The actual reason why the new tires felt softer and less precise was likely due to a combination that the tires still need to be broken in, they are winters with a softer compound, and a simple matter of adjusting tire PSI's.

 

[FerrariF1]

Winter mode engaged yesterday with WS90. Went down from 19 to 17 on aftermarket alloys (Fast switch 17 x 7.5 +45 wheels)

View attachment 377369

Looks good! I have the same wheels, albeit in 18".

 

[Epiphany]

Winter mode engaged yesterday with WS90. Went down from 19 to 17 on aftermarket alloys (Fast switch 17 x 7.5 +45 wheels)

View attachment 377369

Winter mode engaged today, same wheels and tires but with a black finish to the wheels. Also from 19" to 17".

 

[nickswhip24]

Winter mode engaged today, same wheels and tires but with a black finish to the wheels. Also from 19" to 17".

looks good-what winter tires do you use?

 

[miatamust]

I listed in the For Sale "marketplace" forum of this site a barely used (approx. 10/32" remaining) set of Continental VikingContact 7 winter tires, 225 65 17, mounted on old Mazda factory CX-7 wheels, a directly compatible wheel fitment for a CX-5.
I got the excellent winter Contis (Consumer Reports highly rated) to replace some Michelin X-Ice, also a great tire, back when I didn't anticipate the car moving from Michigan to the US South.
It'll survive down there fine on its brand new set of GY's latest all-weather tires (mainly in prep for any treks back North, as this car's driver has no need to brave any winter road conditions that simply cripple traffic down South).