Winter Tires

[NightRain]

I can get winter tires now at a huge discount, I need to buy rims and tires. If I get them now I can save about 30-40% off regualr price, but I'm wondering if I should get 15" tires or 14" tires. I'll be buying steel rims and regular winter tires with studs. Will 15" tires take more room than the 16" low profile tires that come with 2003 Protege 5's? or would 14" tires be a better choice? It's only a few dollars more to go 15" but I don't want to get anything that will rub my bumper, I'm thinking 15" should be fine, but want to make sure first. I know this is early to buy winter tires, but since they are so cheap I'd rather buy them now and save more money. Also what would be better, stainless steel rims or black painted steel rims? I have a silver protege 5.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JunkPunch]

The diameter of the tires should be the same as your stock wheels/tires. If anything, you should actually go narrower with the snow tires. So 14, 15 or 16, they are all going to have the same outside diameter (or they should).

 

[The_Flamming_7]

Go with the 15" Dunlop Graspic DS-1. Those are what I have and they are studless and they go through 6" of snow uphill without spinning! I've passed people at 75 through on snowcovered highways when everyone else is doing 40-50mph, with ease. I bought them for $53 per tire from tirerack.com and they are normally like $90 per tire or something. Trust me, they are definetely worth the money.

 

[JunkPunch]

Go with the 15" Dunlop Graspic DS-1. Those are what I have and they are studless and they go through 6" of snow uphill without spinning! I've passed people at 75 through on snowcovered highways when everyone else is doing 40-50mph, with ease. I bought them for $53 per tire from tirerack.com and they are normally like $90 per tire or something. Trust me, they are definetely worth the money.

75 on a snowcovered highway? Thank god I don't live near Binghamton anymore.

Anyway, Graspics are better on ice than snow. If you are driving more in snow than ice, look for something with a more open tread design. Don't get Blizzaks, they suck.

 

[Volley2six]

Where would I get the steel rims??

 

[JunkPunch]

Where would I get the steel rims??

Tire Rack would probably be best if you want them new. You could also get a set from a junkyard. I think the 626 had 15" rims that fit the Protege5 and MP3.

 

[cjstringer]

Don't get Blizzaks, they suck.

Wow, must have got a bad set. Mine kick ass. I'll always buy Blizzaks after the set I have now. They rule. Even won an autocross in the snow on mine. 4 inches of fresh snow. Ran like it was dry.
Highly recommend Blizzaks.

 

[The_Flamming_7]

Where would I get the steel rims??

yeah dude, Tire Rack sells the tires and rims as a package most of the time for pretty cheap, go check them out.

As for the 75mph i did, i was just testing them out, i wasn't trying to be an asshole or anything, i don't have a deathwish yet, lol.

 

[AlaskaP5]

I got a set of 16" glacier grip studded tires on. No worries about rubbing.

Depending on where you live, you may want to consider studs instead of just winter tires.

 

[JunkPunch]

Wow, must have got a bad set. Mine kick ass. I'll always buy Blizzaks after the set I have now. They rule. Even won an autocross in the snow on mine. 4 inches of fresh snow. Ran like it was dry.
Highly recommend Blizzaks.

Perhaps they have changed Blizzaks considerably. I had a set a few years ago on my Audi. They were actually dangerous on dry pavement. I was terrified to go above 60, or corner at more than 20 - on dry pavement. Felt like driving on pencil erasers. They were great on ice and good in show, but I actually got rid of them after one season because I was terrified. Might have to do with the weight of the car (my Audi weighed 3800 pounds), or they have changed the rubber compound.

If you want the absolute best snow tires (and are willing to pay for them) get Hakkapeliittas. They are the best.

 

[chuyler1]

Go with the 15" Dunlop Graspic DS-1. Those are what I have and they are studless and they go through 6" of snow uphill without spinning! I've passed people at 75 through on snowcovered highways when everyone else is doing 40-50mph, with ease. I bought them for $53 per tire from tirerack.com and they are normally like $90 per tire or something. Trust me, they are definetely worth the money.

Driving in the snow is all about the driver.

I lived in Ithaca for 4 years (just north of you) and I managed to tackle those hills with the cheapest pair of snow tires I could get at Sears. Not only that, I had a RWD car all 4 years! First it was my 87 Cougar, then a 90 Grand Marquis. The GrMq drove like a tank through the snow. **** four wheel drive.

The trick is....don't stop...ever, let the rear tires do the turning (thats the fun part), and fill your gas tank up before a big snow storm to keep weight on the back.

 

[MadBiker]

Driving in the snow is all about the driver.

I lived in Ithaca for 4 years (just north of you) and I managed to tackle those hills with the cheapest pair of snow tires I could get at Sears. Not only that, I had a RWD car all 4 years! First it was my 87 Cougar, then a 90 Grand Marquis. The GrMq drove like a tank through the snow. **** four wheel drive.

The trick is....don't stop...ever, let the rear tires do the turning (thats the fun part), and fill your gas tank up before a big snow storm to keep weight on the back.

I don't know man, but I gotta disagree. I don't mean to flame. I drove a piece of crap oldsmobile with elcheapo regular all seasons in snow and it drove great in heavy snow (like a fresh foot of snow) - because it was such a heavy car! Same driver in a 626 w/Turanza's and Protege5 with the OEM Dunlops, can't even make it up a slight hill with several inches of snow, esp. this previous winter. Driver=me.

In the latter cases, I'd wished I had snow tires or chains. Full tanks of gas for extra weight is def. a good idea though... in snow, the heavier the car the better!

** Edit **
Sorry this got off track, but I hear Blizzak's are really good, just my $.02.

 

[NightRain]

I've found BFGoodrich winter tires with studs to be great in the past, I'm not sure if I'll buy them again this time for my new car, but if I can get them I will, they are pretty cheap and work really well. Friend of mine swears by the Michelin Atric Alpine, and they are pretty cheap too, I know I can get them, so maybe I will.

Seems to be that 15" wheels are the way to go, is that the best choice? 16's cost more and I'm not sure how they would fit, but I think that 15" tires would be great.

 

[mikeyb]

Wow, must have got a bad set. Mine kick ass. I'll always buy Blizzaks after the set I have now. They rule. Even won an autocross in the snow on mine. 4 inches of fresh snow. Ran like it was dry.
Highly recommend Blizzaks.

I'm going on my 3rd season with my Blizzaks.

 

[mikeyb]

What about buying cheap 15" alloys like I did. I paid 200 bucks for a set from Pepboys.

 

[chuyler1]

I don't know man, but I gotta disagree. I don't mean to flame. I drove a piece of crap oldsmobile with elcheapo regular all seasons in snow and it drove great in heavy snow (like a fresh foot of snow) - because it was such a heavy car! Same driver in a 626 w/Turanza's and Protege5 with the OEM Dunlops, can't even make it up a slight hill with several inches of snow, esp. this previous winter. Driver=me.

In the latter cases, I'd wished I had snow tires or chains. Full tanks of gas for extra weight is def. a good idea though... in snow, the heavier the car the better!

** Edit **
Sorry this got off track, but I hear Blizzak's are really good, just my $.02.

I definatly agree with the weight helping. I've driven my P5 in the snow only twice...and I don't feel as safe to go bombing down the passing lane like I did in the Marquis (I also actually give a s*** about my P5 too). I've also driven my Dad's Bronco (the short wheel base made me cautious, but the 4wd made up for it), my Mom's Camry (not to shabby in the snow...just gotta keep moving), and a handfull of other cars...

...Minivans by far are the worst on hills....you got a better shot driving up in reverse (did that once succesfully up someone's driveway).

Most of the time its just a matter of momentum...if you see a hill coming up...floor it within reason and let the car take its time going up from there.

I don't know, i just love the peacefull quietness of driving in a snow storm...no rushing cars passing by, no drone of the pavement...just you and the falling snow.

 

[Volley2six]

I don't know, i just love the peacefull quietness of driving in a snow storm...no rushing cars passing by, no drone of the pavement...just you and the falling snow.

And my MP3 fishtailing all over the road, scaring me to death...

 

[chuyler1]

Leave the fishtailing to the RWD cars.

 

[Volley2six]

I'll pass that on to my MP3...I'll let you know how she takes it...