I live in Toronto, Canada and I need snow tires for the winter. Anyone have good suggestions on what tires to get? I want to use the stock rims for winter, do I have to use the same size tires as the stock tires on those rims?

Thanks

 

I live in Rochester, NY so weather is similar. I use Hankook's. They're reasonably priced, and worked well last winter. Discounttire.com carries these. I'd strongly recommend getting wheels, either used AP1's or a new set. You'll spend about $40/tire (US) per year switching your tires. These $ will buy a set of wheels in less than 2 years.

Tirerack.com also has tires, but don't know about their wheel selection. PM me if you need more info.

 

Forgot to mention: Go with stock sizes, esp 225's on the back. Narrow tires do better in the snow, and you won't really lose any handling since you're using snows to begin with..

 

I think I'll get some summer wheels next year to use the stock tires, so just use the stock wheel for winter.

so I should use 225/45/17 for back, they will fit my stock rims? My priority is snow traction, just like the best tires to use in winter, even if giving up some handling.

Thanks

 

You should use 205/50-17 for the front and 225/45-17 for the rear. Both sizes have overall diameter of about 25" which is 0.3' larger than OEM and they fit OEM wheels.

 

thanks for the suggestions

 

i have blizzaks lm22 in the back and lm25 in the front, ap1 stock size

edit: i just notice you have an ap2, i suggest getting ap1 rims for the winter, 16" are cheaper than 17" tires, and you'll probably have a better selection of tires too with 16"

as a matter of fact, theres a set of ap1 rims on ebay right now with blizzaks lm-22, not mine...just letting ya know

 

I didn't want to get another set of rims, cause I don't have much room to put another set of rims, that's why I'm looking into using the stock rims for winter

 

If you're in Canada, go thru www.tiretrends.com

I just bought Hankook ICEBEAR W300s from there for my STi. $735 shipped, taxes in.

 

I've been checking out all sorts of tests of snow tires, and the Nokkians and Michelin X-Ice tires seem to top out most reviews.

Zeiss