Hello,

I'm preping my car for winter and I'm in the process of purchasing winter tires for my coupe.

I've already bought 17x7.5 rims (+40 offset) and I did check for the fitment on the front (clears the brake calipers and the shocks). Now, I've got a question regarding size tire.

I checked tiretrend and the recommended size for the 19" Rim package is 225/50R17 (F) and 225/55R17 (R).

My question is, can the tire selection be 225/50R17 on all 4 corners or will this type of setup throw off the VDC on the car?

Any feedback on this will be greatly appreciated. I would also appreciate and recomendatiosn from drivers who have experienced winter and the tire setup they have. I am currently looking the the Hankook W300 Ice Bear.

regards,

 

do a google search for tire size; there is one something like "miata garage" and you can find the exact size for different specs. I went there and the best fit for replacing the original 215/55/17 is 235/50/17. good luck.

 

On the topic of winter tires, can all 4 tires be the same size? Say, 225/50/R17 ?

Can this setup mess with the VDC?

 

viperman3,
I have a 04 coupe, and I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3's.....225/55/17's on all four corners. They pretty much are the same diameter as the rear 18" Pilot Sports I run in Summer months. I lose the stagger setup, but I have no problems with the VDC/ABS, and It allows me to rotate the tires each season front to back.

If you stay within the 3% margin, you won't have a problem.It may change your speedometer reading. ( I think it will read 2mph less than your actual speed.

If you go with the 225/50's, you will run into a problem setting off the VDC. The tire Diameter is too small for the rear.

I believe the stock rear diameters are 26.8. my 225/55/17 Dunlop winter sports are 26.9 so its about .02% for the rear and about 3% difference for the Fronts.

As Far as handling and performance, you will feel a slight difference in the dry conditions, but ultimately much safer/better traction/handling in the winter conditions. I had no Problems navigating the New Jersey Highways for the last 2 seasons with the winter setup. Because of the taller side wall, your ride will improve as well......and they seem a little quieter than my summer performace set up.

If you use common sense, and practice conservative starts and turning, you will get around with the best of them out there!
Hope this helps