brax_1

Hi,

I need to get winter tires this year, and my friend can sell me a set of four that are unused for cheap. They are size 215/45 R17. They wouldn't be used for spirited driving, just going 35 mph everyday to work and back in the Fall/Winter. Can I mount these on stock 2007 AP2 rims without safety issues?

Thanks!

1nate7

No personal experience, but I believe this is the perfect size for a winter tire. Only "issue" would be a 215 tire on the 8.5" rear wheel. It will be stretched but should work fine. I'd look for a cheap set of 17 x 7" wheels all around for winter use.

Chibo

Yes, it'll look a little weird though.

Bury

I've been really lazy and still have winters on lol. I agree with Chibo it might look a little funny on stock AP2, but as far as safety is concerned there shouldn't be any issues. 215 on 8.5 isn't a huge stretch btw. I'm running 225/45/17 front - 245/40/17 rear on 9.5's square.

https://tyrestretch.com/8.5-215-45-R...Pilot-Sport-2/

darcyw

I'd have no concern about the stretch…I have concern that you've now reduced traction at the rear by going to a 215 F/R. In the snow/ice/cold.

Reduced rear traction is not ideal, even at 35 MPH. In the snow and cold and ice.

darcy
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Chibo

Is this really true? A wider tread patch would float over ice/water more easily, rather than digging in and creating traction, you would think.

B serious

Skinny tyres work better than wide ones do in water, snow, and ice.

Wide tires work better for dry traction or to "float" over things.

darcyw

this is an s2000…s2000's tend to oversteer- even in the dry if you're ham fisted. This site is rife with stories of people who have been driving in the rain, and gone off the road backwards as a result of the rear end of the car losing traction- in the rain…snow and ice is more slippy than rain- I live in Canada and have been driving in snow for nearly 30 years. The car was designed with a staggered tire set up. Yes, running narrower tires - in theory at least- means they will cut through the deep slush. That's all well and good if you have NO PLAN TO TURN CORNERS, OR CHANGE LANES.

The winter tire is designed to evacuate slush and aid in traction with all those snazzy snipes.

I do run a narrower winter tire on my civic SiR- i usually run a summer 205, but for winter, a 195. A friend of mine does 185 of his SiR. But ITS A CIVIC with FWD and it tends to more safely understeer as a rule, rather than oversteer.

keep the staggered set up- it will help maintain the balance the car is known for. Hey, its your car- do what you want- mount the tires up, go drive around a parking lot in the snow and rain and see what happens. Maybe we'll all be surprised and you'll be fine. I'm just telling you what I would do. Good luck.

​​​​​​​darcy