Winter Tires-175s?

[DavidST]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting some winter tires for my Protege5. Looking at used tires to save some money. I saw some 175/65R14s on kijiji, but I'm not sure if they will be okay.

I did some searching on the forum and found this tire calculator:
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

It says that the tire will be 3% slower than stock. That seems okay.

The load bearing of the 175 snow tire compared to the stock Dunlops is also comparable.

Does anyone have experience with 175 snows? Any foreseeable problems?

thanks,
DST

 

[DannoVW]

I have 185's on mine. They cut through the snow. Not once did I get stuck last year. Im from Ontario too. Easily drove through close to a foot of snow.

 

[wiprotege5]

IMHO, I think 175 are a little to thin. With my 195 Michelin x-ice 2's, they can be a little squirmy on dry. I can't image a 175. A 185 would be the thinnest I would go.

 

[Bagman]

On the Protege5, 175 is too skinny for the size and weight of the vehicle. Must remember that MOST of the driving will still be on dry or just wet/slushy roads. 185 would the skinniest I would go.

I ran 175 on my little old Mk2 Golf. That was awesome, but 185 on the Protege5 is what I wish I had. I am running 205 series winter tires on my Protege5 right now. It's just what came with the car when I bought it.

I am hoping to burn through them so I can get some 185 rubber.

 

[DannoVW]

185 is where its at, Never once have I felt out of control on dry pavement. The tires are Perelli winter carvers or something