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Old 11-15-2012, 06:04 PM   #1
Ronen91
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Default Winter/All-Season Tire Questions

So I', getting sick of looking for a good price for a winter set for my '13 STi base Sedan.

I finally came to terms with having a UHP all-season, and my stock dunlop 500's (don't know why the didn't come with 600's)

I am also soon to be purchasing a set of '05-'07 Gold BBS 17x8 5x114.3 Offset: +53 (OEM-equipped tire size: 225/45R17) for these tires.

What I want to know is what is the smallest yet reasonable size tire I can get away with?

What are the min/max parameters of for my STi.

Also, I live in Chicago. What Tire would I benefit from the most?

Can I get away with All-seasons and save the summer for the summer?

-Ronen91
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Old 11-15-2012, 06:15 PM   #2
sc00by4life
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all seasons suck...all year.

there is an ENTIRE winter tire thread for suggestions.

tire size/wheel width charts are out there if you google. 205/50/17 or 215/50 would be my picks.
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Old 11-15-2012, 06:40 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
all seasons suck...all year.

there is an ENTIRE winter tire thread for suggestions.

tire size/wheel width charts are out there if you google. 205/50/17 or 215/50 would be my picks.
Would 235/45/17 be a better choice? And I understand how you feel about the All-seasons. I can look at tires again. I am going to be ordering General Tire G-Max AS03 for $500 with installation do to a mishap at Sears.

I tried looking for a tire size chart but fell short. Can you point me in the direction or tell me what size tires are safe to put on the STi be it Winter tires or All-Seasons.
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Old 11-15-2012, 06:47 PM   #4
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why would you want a 235/45 for a winter tire? if you are set on all seasons, then just get the OEM size 225/45.

narrower is better.
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Old 11-15-2012, 07:12 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
why would you want a 235/45 for a winter tire? if you are set on all seasons, then just get the OEM size 225/45.

narrower is better.
Well the OEM size is 245/40-18. TireRack recommends @ 17" to get 235/45-17.

I sent you a PM if you wouldn't mind responding to it I would greatly appreciate it.
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Old 11-15-2012, 07:16 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronen91 View Post
Well the OEM size is 245/40-18. TireRack recommends @ 17" to get 235/45-17.

I sent you a PM if you wouldn't mind responding to it I would greatly appreciate it.
OEM for THAT wheel, not your car.
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Old 11-15-2012, 07:39 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
OEM for THAT wheel, not your car.
Okay well here's my options.

Sears has a buy 3 get 1 free deal on all winter tires. I found a glitch in their system and locked in a confirmed deal for their ALL Seasons General Tire G-MAX AS03 on the 235/45/17. They already corrected the glitch but honored the price.

My other option which you suggest would be a dedicated winter tire and my choice would be the General Tire Altimax Arctic @ 225/45/17 but for an increased price of $12 a tire. The 235 option is $50 dollars more a tire which I wouldn't do.

Would your opinion be to switch to the Arctics @ 225/45 and pay $35 more?

What other options do I honestly have?

I guess it really depends on my needs. I also have the option to get the 225/45-17 G-MAX AS03 for a dollar difference.

Last edited by Ronen91; 11-15-2012 at 07:56 PM.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:18 PM   #8
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again.....if you want WINTER tires, get as narrow as possible. ESPECIALLY if you are driving in snow.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:20 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
again.....if you want WINTER tires, get as narrow as possible. ESPECIALLY if you are driving in snow.
Well how narrow can I go for the winter tires, and how narrow can I go for the all-seasons with the wheels in question as well.

Thanks for the help btw!
-Ronen
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:32 PM   #10
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if you want all seasons, just get OEM size. I would/will never run all seasons. they are a waste of money IMO.

winters on the 05-07 bbs? like i said before....205/50 or 215/50 would be my first choice.
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Old 11-15-2012, 08:36 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
if you want all seasons, just get OEM size. I would/will never run all seasons. they are a waste of money IMO.

winters on the 05-07 bbs? like i said before....205/50 or 215/50 would be my first choice.
The 50 isn't too tall for the '13 STi? According to Tirerack.com 205/50 and 205/50 has a max rim width of 5.5-7.5" and the BBS is 17X8 so it would be stretched.

Would you recommend the 215/45 or the 225/45. The 215/45 have a bigger wheel width range of 7.5-9".

Last edited by Ronen91; 11-15-2012 at 08:52 PM.
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Old 11-15-2012, 09:48 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronen91

The 50 isn't too tall for the '13 STi? According to Tirerack.com 205/50 and 205/50 has a max rim width of 5.5-7.5" and the BBS is 17X8 so it would be stretched.

Would you recommend the 215/45 or the 225/45. The 215/45 have a bigger wheel width range of 7.5-9".
You want a taller tire. But a 205/50 is about the same OD as a 225/45. It's not stretched. Again though, a 215/50 would be my next choice.
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Old 11-15-2012, 10:01 PM   #13
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What do you want from your winter tire?
Put in order of importance:

ice
snow
dry
wet
noise

Krzys
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Old 11-15-2012, 10:41 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
You want a taller tire. But a 205/50 is about the same OD as a 225/45. It's not stretched. Again though, a 215/50 would be my next choice.
I finally realized by using the calculator how you figured which tire would be best fit. Unfortunately after doing a lot of research. If I want a winter tire, at a good price I am going to have to give up having below a -2.9% difference for my budget with the 225/45-17

Unless I go with a General G-Max AS03 All-season @ 225/50-17 which stays in my budget.

These are basically my only two options that stay in budget. If you do the research you would understand why I came up with these two options. It's somewhat difficult to explain but it relies on pricing deals and the glitch I have with sears that I'm locked into.

So what do you think

General Tire G-Max AS03 All-season @ 225/50-17 +0.6% difference

or
General Tire Altimax Arctic Winter tires @ 225/45-17 -2.9% difference
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Old 11-15-2012, 10:47 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krzyss View Post
What do you want from your winter tire?
Put in order of importance:

ice
snow
dry
wet
noise

Krzys
I'm honestly not sure. I live in a close north suburb of Chicago (60712). I can't really predict what Chicago will throw at me. I would say Snow, Dry, Ice, Wet, Noise.

Also, for the record. I ****ing hate shopping for tires. Now I'm just considering sticking with the 18" wheels I have on the car and just swapping out the tires.

I think I'm going to be buying some WS-70's for $535. (225/45R17)

I give up

Last edited by Ronen91; 11-16-2012 at 02:23 AM.
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Old 11-16-2012, 07:40 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post

all seasons suck...all year.
Depends on the all season tire you choose.

I will never be "tracking" my car, and since I don't want to deal with buying a new set of wheels & with re-programing the ECU everytime I switch wheels (dealerships charge for this you know)...or deal with the TPMS light being on when I have my "Winter" wheels on, I went with a good set of performance based all season tires...Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S in stock size.

On the street, and can't really tell much of a difference between the stock Dunlops that came with my STI or the Michelins...besides the Michelins being WAY better in the rain & snow.

Up here in New England we have these things called snow plows, snow blowers, and even snow shovels...and since I never plan on driving in a foot of snow, I've found all seasons tires to work for me just fine...even in weather like this (I made it through this Winter in my old Evo X with Bridgestone 960 A/S tires):


Last edited by WRXLTD; 11-16-2012 at 07:49 AM.
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Old 11-16-2012, 11:45 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WRXLTD

Depends on the all season tire you choose.

I will never be "tracking" my car, and since I don't want to deal with buying a new set of wheels & with re-programing the ECU everytime I switch wheels (dealerships charge for this you know)...or deal with the TPMS light being on when I have my "Winter" wheels on, I went with a good set of performance based all season tires...Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S in stock size.

On the street, and can't really tell much of a difference between the stock Dunlops that came with my STI or the Michelins...besides the Michelins being WAY better in the rain & snow.

Up here in New England we have these things called snow plows, snow blowers, and even snow shovels...and since I never plan on driving in a foot of snow, I've found all seasons tires to work for me just fine...even in weather like this (I made it through this Winter in my old Evo X with Bridgestone 960 A/S tires):
I never said you can't drive with all Seasons in the snow, but they perform nowhere near a winter/snow tire. Not even close.
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Old 11-16-2012, 12:10 PM   #18
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I never said you can't drive with all Seasons in the snow, but they perform nowhere near a winter/snow tire. Not even close.

I decided to buy a set of WS-70's in the size 225/45R18. I think I would be safe with these on my stock Enkei right?

I know tire rack has some comparison tests for Summer Vs. All-Season Vs. Winter. I think everyone should watch this to get a good idea of how their tires perform in winter climates.

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Old 11-16-2012, 01:07 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post

I never said you can't drive with all Seasons in the snow, but they perform nowhere near a winter/snow tire. Not even close.
And I never said an A/S tire would outperform a dedicated snow tire in snow or on ice. But once the snow or ice is cleared from the roadway, performance wise, the A/S tire blows away the dedicated snow tire.

And that's my point...like I said earlier, I never plan on driving in deep snow to begin with, so I'll usually wait until the road is cleared first. I don't know what's its like in your area, but around my parts the snow usually never piles up more than 4" or so before a plow comes by...even less on a main road or highway...and they usually treat with sand/salt before it even gets close to that. What I've found is that in 6" of snow or less the A/S tires seem to do just fine on the street on an AWD car.

Last edited by WRXLTD; 11-16-2012 at 01:15 PM.
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Old 11-16-2012, 02:41 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronen91 View Post
[color="Red"]I know tire rack has some comparison tests for Summer Vs. All-Season Vs. Winter. I think everyone should watch this to get a good idea of how their tires perform in winter climates.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GlYEMH10Z4s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Unless you do a lot of driving on a sheet of smooth, groomed ice, that video provides a comparison that probably isn't particularly useful. There are facilities out there that maintain groomed snow surfaces for vehicle testing, but I don't imagine it's feasible for Tire Rack to have such a setup. So, they use what they have available - an ice rink.
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Old 11-16-2012, 08:01 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by WRXLTD View Post
And I never said an A/S tire would outperform a dedicated snow tire in snow or on ice. But once the snow or ice is cleared from the roadway, performance wise, the A/S tire blows away the dedicated snow tire.
I agree with this for the most part; however, you really gotta qualify what you consider as a snow tire and at what temperatures you're talking about. My performance winters outperform my A/S hands down on dry roads when it gets below freezing.
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Old 11-16-2012, 08:14 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by Ronen91 View Post
I decided to buy a set of WS-70's in the size 225/45R18. I think I would be safe with these on my stock Enkei right?............
You'll be safe, but your wheels may not be safe from curb rash with only a 225 tire. Of all the premium "ice and snow" tires, the WS70 has arguably the worst wet and dry handling.
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Old 11-17-2012, 02:17 AM   #23
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You'll be safe, but your wheels may not be safe from curb rash with only a 225 tire. Of all the premium "ice and snow" tires, the WS70 has arguably the worst wet and dry handling.
I did some further research. I would be on the edge of the rim width range (8.5) and I do not want to do that at all. I searched for tire sizes with atleast .5 an inch cushion.

235/45-18
235/40-18
225/40-18
are the only possible candidate for my wheel.

After doing even more friggin' research I came down with only three possible choices

Option A: All-Season [General Tire G-Max AS-03] (225/40R18) ~$560 otd

Option B: Dedicated Winter [General Tire Altimax Arctic] (225/45R17) ~$960 otd ($400 for wheels)

Option C: Dedicated Winter [Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60] (225/40R18) ~$660 otd

The only problem with option C is that I need to check tomorrow if they are in stock, and the load rating on the tire is 88 (200lb difference per tire) where stock is 93. I don't know how to get around this

Last edited by Ronen91; 11-17-2012 at 12:54 PM.
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Old 11-17-2012, 09:51 AM   #24
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Your options are all over the map. I still dont understand why you're not considering performance winter tires. Cost? I mean, you just paid how much for that STI?
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Old 11-17-2012, 10:57 AM   #25
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First decide if you want 17 or 18 tires.

For your car either go with 225/45/18 or 225/50/17

Then decide what tires you actually want.
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