Hi there, I have the stock 18" sport wheels on my 05 sedan and temporarily am running 2 pirelli snowsport 240 v-rated 255-40-18's in the back with just my stock 235-45-18 in front. Well, I smartened up and found a full set of 225 45 18 contisport v-rated winter tires. Should I just put two of these in the front and run the larger pirelli's in the back? (same speed rating, RWD car) or run 225's all around. I must say though, the 255 in the back does look pretty nice on that rim.
thanks!

 

That seems to be ok wise in terms of diameter. If anything, you should try to run the 225s all around. Thinner is better for winter.

 

If you have snow tires in the rear that will work (diameter) with your fronts why spend the money on new ones?

 

Thinner is better when it comes to snow tires.

 

you would want to run a smaller width. The 255s will work fine, but less width cuts through the snow easier than a wider tire would. I am running 215/55/17s (stock non-sport size) on my 05. It is the same overall diameter as the 235/45/18s.

 

My concern is having a wider contact patch in the rear will spread the weight of the car out over a larger area reducing it's pressure on the tire to the ground resulting in the rear end being more prone to coming loose in a snow situation

 

Thanks for the reply's and good point on the contact issue with the tires. I was just looking for two tires for the front and came across an unbelievable deal for 4 used ones. I ended up just throwing two on the front today and am going to try that for a bit. The back is a bit slippy though even with 4 sandbags in the trunk with the 255's so I think I will end up putting 225's on instead. This may sound stupid but WHAT A DIFFERENCE over the stock tires these winters made. If ANYBODY is contemplating the need for winter tires I would not think twice about spending the money. WELL worth it.

 

thinner is waaay better for snow tires...staggered would be defeating the purpose