Who is switching to winter tires and steel wheels?

[Boxster17]

Where does Mazda recommend this?

It's in the owner's manual under Winter Driving, here's a screenshot from the PDF manual:

I had never noticed this until mentioned in this thread. I've typically gone 2-3PSI over the door jamb, but I may try it a bit higher this year.

I feel like that 120km/h speed rating would be dependent on the tire rating. Not really sure why they mention that?

It's still pretty mild here, so I'm waiting a bit longer before swapping to winter tires. Will likely be in the coming weeks though.

 

[N7turbo]

Where does Mazda recommend this?

They don't. If the tire clearly says 36 psi max, then you don't exceed 36 psi.

 

[banjos-n-beer]

I ran mine +4 PSI per the owners manual.

I’ll have to check if they recommend the same for the CX70.

 

[FerrariF1]

It's in the owner's manual under Winter Driving, here's a screenshot from the PDF manual:

View attachment 378987

I had never noticed this until mentioned in this thread. I've typically gone 2-3PSI over the door jamb, but I may try it a bit higher this year.

I feel like that 120km/h speed rating would be dependent on the tire rating. Not really sure why they mention that?

It's still pretty mild here, so I'm waiting a bit longer before swapping to winter tires. Will likely be in the coming weeks though.

Thanks. I didn't know that. Good idea. I've always done 2 or 3 PSI more than the door jamb, but I didn't know the manufacturer recommended that as well.

 

[N7turbo]

Thanks. I didn't know that. Good idea. I've always done 2 or 3 PSI more than the door jamb, but I didn't know the manufacturer recommended that as well.

Read carefully:

"but never more than the maximum cold-tire pressure shown on the tires".

 

[FerrariF1]

Read carefully:

"but never more than the maximum cold-tire pressure shown on the tires".

Yes. Door jamb says 36psi, tire max is 51psi. So 38psi is safe...

 

[N7turbo]

Yes. Door jamb says 36psi, tire max is 51psi. So 38psi is safe...

You must have winter tires. That is the key as that excerpt is specifically about winter tires:

"Inflate snow tires 4.3 psi more than recommended on the tire pressure label (driver's door frame)..."

But I've seen this advice going around on the forums lately as if it applied to just winter driving in general. There is no need to increase tire pressure just because it is cold outside.

 

[FerrariF1]

Yes, I have winter tires. I normally install them when it's 5 deg C outside. Inflate them to say 38 or 40 PSI. Once it drops to -20 deg C outside, they'll be down to 36 PSI.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Yes, I have winter tires. I normally install them when it's 5 deg C outside. Inflate them to say 38 or 40 PSI. Once it drops to -20 deg C outside, they'll be down to 36 PSI.

Based on the research I've done, this is precisely why that recommendation is in place.

So long as your tires cold pressure does not fall below door jamb rec., should be fine.

If you like the way your tires feel 1-4PSI above cold rec., do that.

 

[stickerbush]

I just increased pressure in my winter tires (Michelin X-Ice) to 38, 3psi over what's on the door jamb. I believe this improved the handling a bit, less side-to-side movement in turns. My seat of the pants analysis.

 

[Lazy2.5]

It's in the owner's manual under Winter Driving, here's a screenshot from the PDF manual:

View attachment 378987

I feel like that 120km/h speed rating would be dependent on the tire rating. Not really sure why they mention that?

Just another conservative safety recommendation. What I got from AI:

The maximum speed rating stamped onto a winter tire is a structural limit indicating the highest speed the tire is physically designed to sustain without suffering heat-related failure under load. However, this is not a performance recommendation. Mazda's limit of 120 KM/H is likely just a conservative safety suggestion. However, Mazda likely determined that operating your chassis above this speed on soft, flexible winter compounds can introduce excessive instability, potentially degrading handling and braking efficacy, especially in emergency situations. This limit probably helps to ensures the vehicle's chassis dynamics remain within a safe envelope during high-speed operation.

If you check your speedometer, say on a long downhill stretch on the highway and notice you're going faster - I'm sure this is not big deal. But, I wouldn't go significantly faster than 120KM/H even if your tires claim to be rated for it.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I just increased pressure in my winter tires (Michelin X-Ice) to 38, 3psi over what's on the door jamb. I believe this improved the handling a bit, less side-to-side movement in turns. My seat of the pants analysis.

My cars suggested is 36psi. I set it at that and ensure my pressure doesn't fall below that. The ride can be quite jarring over certain sections of road as it is.

 

[N7turbo]

Based on the research I've done, this is precisely why that recommendation is in place.

Just to be clear for passersby who read this.

You set your tire pressure.

If it gets colder, you correct the pressure.

If it gets hotter, you correct the pressure.

There is no such thing as "run your tires at 4 higher psi in the winter than the summer". Which is what some people will get out of reading these discussions!

My cars suggested is 36psi. I set it at that and ensure my pressure doesn't fall below that. The ride can be quite jarring over certain sections of road as it is.

Exactly. You just maintain the recommended pressure...and that will change with the season.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Just to be clear for passersby who read this.

You set your tire pressure.

If it gets colder, you correct the pressure.

If it gets hotter, you correct the pressure.

There is no such thing as "run your tires at 4 higher psi in the winter than the summer". Which is what some people will get out of reading these discussions!

The owner manual states "snow tire".

Exactly. You just maintain the recommended pressure...and that will change with the season.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Anyone on here uses winter tires that are narrower than OEM? etc. 215 or 205 instead of the typical recommended 225? If so, how is the performance?