[conspx]

Hello folks,

I recently got my new CX-3 but I'm in line for changing my tires to winter ones.
I ordered mine with 18 inch rims and summer tires and the specs are 215/50R18 7Jx18 ET50 5x114.3

Everyone I asked recommends that I switch to 16 inch rims for the winter but I want to retain the 18 inch look. Since I can't manage to find 215 winter tires for my 18 inch rims I'm forced to switch to 225 ones. My question is will the added width of the tire be acceptable and can I easily install wider tires on my car without any modifications.

I plan to buy Toyo Snowprox S953 225/60R18 100H. Do you have any idea if these will fit and do you have any recommendations on how I should proceed. Other tire options are also welcome since this is basically my first winter running on lager rims and I'm not very familiar with my tire options.

Thanks.

Regards,
Dimitar

 

[NotAPreppie]

If you're in the USA or Canada, TireRack sell 2 snow tires in our OEM 18" size:
Yokohama ICEGUARD IG52C and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3.

If not, try to keep the size of the new tires within ±3% of the OEM tires.
Tire size calculator

Click the link above and enter data as appropriate. You'll find that going wider and larger aspect ratio is going to make your proposed size waaaaay to big.

I don't know what country you are in but you should look at 225/50-18 as an optional "+0" size for our cars. TireRack has 3 snow tires in the USA or Canada for that size. Alternately, 225/45-18 would work and will probably have many more options.

 

[anchorman]

In reality, narrower tires would be a better option as wider ones tend to float on the snow.

 

[st3v3cx-3]

I think if I lived somewhere with lots of snow and ice in the winter, I'd go for 16" steel wheels with higher profile narrower tyres if the steel ones can be used without affecting steering etc. The looks of alloys wouldn't be missed with all the crud thrown up, plus less cost if damaged when bashed against hidden kerbs etc. Narrower tyres should ride the snow a lot better.

 

[jtonline]

If you were looking at 18" Toyo & don't want to go 16", can your intended supplier not do a special order of the correct size? In the USA, Toyo list the Observe GSi 5 in 215/50/R18. In Europe they list the Snowprox S953 in 215/50/R18. Just a thought.

 

[Cman]

Larger diameter wheels are for summer driving generally. Unless you drive a larger vehicle and need the larger size wheel and snow tire sizes going down in wheel size with the proper size winter tire is the best choice.

The higher aspect ratio sidewall gives the tire more flexibility in the cold and allow it to bite down below the snow and ice to the pavement to achieve grip. A larger wheel and shorter sidewall won't flex as much making it more difficult to bite down through the snow and ice for traction.

The car won't look as cool with smaller winter steelies but you'll look cool driving by someone still running their larger diameter summer setup when they get stuck with little grip on the side of the road (or worse yet off the road in the ditch).

Tony

 

[richyboycaldo]

Did you end up installing 225-60-18?