Anyone use 15" tires/steel rims for winters?

[GSSKY_Canada]

test

[Logyboy]

Does anyone have a GS SKY 2.0 with photos using a 15" set?
How does it ride, traction, handling ?

cheers

I don't have any photos, but I rode last winter with 15" winters (195/65/15) on my GS SKY 2.0. The car handled fine and the only issue I experienced was a 'smushy' feeling with the sidewalls flexing when cornering hard on dry pavement. On snow/ice/slush covered roads the car handled great and I will be using same tires again this season. I just have to remember not to drive as fast when cornering with the winters on

[acheong]

Would a 15 inch rim clear the brakes on a 2014 Mazda 3 GS? I see posts from 2012 here, so just wondering about the new body style Mazda 3 (2014).

[lazycro]

Would a 15 inch rim clear the brakes on a 2014 Mazda 3 GS? I see posts from 2012 here, so just wondering about the new body style Mazda 3 (2014).

no.

[acheong]

No, it wouldn't fit? Or no,you're not sure?

[unknown]

No, it wouldn't fit? Or no,you're not sure?

He means, No. It won't fit. 15's don't fit on gen 3 mazda 3's.

[sarujo]

The sidewalls on the 16's are tall/big enough as it is! I cannot fathom even thinking of 15's...

[acheong]

The sidewalls on the 16's are tall/big enough as it is! I cannot fathom even thinking of 15's...

Ok thanks for the info. I have a set of 195/65 r15 Goodyear winter tires/rims with the right bolt pattern, so was trying to make use of them. These tires were on my 2012 Elantra before.

[thanu31]

Just wanted to confirm ...15" definitely won't fit the 2014 mazda3 GS right?

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Just wanted to confirm ...15" definitely won't fit the 2014 mazda3 GS right?

No. 16" minimum.

[Jabb]

Can someone confirm if there are any issues using the 19565/r15 on the 2012 Mazda3 GS-SKY? I have them mounted on 15x6 Steel Wheels 5x114.3 67.1mm

[Johns 08 3 GT]

Can someone confirm if there are any issues using the 19565/r15 on the 2012 Mazda3 GS-SKY? I have them mounted on 15x6 Steel Wheels 5x114.3 67.1mm

You are good to go. All numbers are good.

[Hotsky]

I use 15" steel wheels with 195/65/15 tires for the winter. More rubber so rides softer than my 17" alloys. handles pretty decent too.

[MAZDArati]

It really comes down to the thread on the tire . a 200 dollar tire rides better than a 100 . as for size the north american 04-09 mazdas had certain models with big breaks so make sure your breaks clear

[Jabb]

You are good to go. All numbers are good.

Fantastic - thanks. I have these 2 year old tires from my recently totalled '07, glad to know it'll last me a few more years. Any reason to go with the larger tires over the smaller ones?

[stinkyjim]

I need to resurrect this thread. I just bought a Used 2013 Mazda3 GS-SKY Sport (hatchback) 2.0 L engine. I have read here that 15 inch wheels are possible. The Service dept at Mazda has told me No Way. It will fit on the GX but only the sedans. SO my only option is to buy a 15 inch wheel from a wrecker and test it out.

It looks really close to the calipers, roughly 1/2 inch, taking up the buffer from the OEM 16 inch alloy wheels.

Does anyone have photos, proof, evidence of some kind? Maybe I am being cheap but owning one wheel seems stupid to me.

[2012mazda3hatch]

I need to resurrect this thread. I just bought a Used 2013 Mazda3 GS-SKY Sport (hatchback) 2.0 L engine. I have read here that 15 inch wheels are possible. The Service dept at Mazda has told me No Way. It will fit on the GX but only the sedans. SO my only option is to buy a 15 inch wheel from a wrecker and test it out.

It looks really close to the calipers, roughly 1/2 inch, taking up the buffer from the OEM 16 inch alloy wheels.

Does anyone have photos, proof, evidence of some kind? Maybe I am being cheap but owning one wheel seems stupid to me.

I own a 2012 Mazda 3 gs-Sky Hatchback. For winter rims and tires I use 195/65/15 inch tire and rim and the stock rims are 205/55/16. No problems rubbing at all or touching the caliper.

[stinkyjim]

I own a 2012 Mazda 3 gs-Sky Hatchback. For winter rims and tires I use 195/65/15 inch tire and rim and the stock rims are 205/55/16. No problems rubbing at all or touching the caliper.

Thank you for that. Now I just have to convince Costco that it is ok to install a smaller wheel on the car. They are picky about this sort of thing. Do you use steel rims?

[2012mazda3hatch]

Thank you for that. Now I just have to convince Costco that it is ok to install a smaller wheel on the car. They are picky about this sort of thing. Do you use steel rims?

No problem, yes just your standard 5x114 steel rim, the cheap ones you can buy at Canadian tire or Costco. If you want to make it look better you could always get a pair of hubcaps. Typically people I know go down a size for their winter setup. The thicker sidewall and smaller rim generally means more savings because going down in a tire size makes it cheaper. Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Reddie1337]

I guess this should just be laid out.

A 2004-2013 Mazda 3 with a 2.0L engine, have the same rotor sizes all the way up. Allowing you to run 15" rims, INCLUDING THE SKYACTIV
A 2006-2013 Mazda 3 with a 2.3L/2.5L engine, have the same rotor size, and they will only fit 16" and bigger. (Haven't done brakes on a 2004-2005 Mazda3 with a 2.3L, Cannot confirm rotor size)

If you have upgraded the rear brakes to that of a speed or Mazda 5, the rotor is bigger, and the caliper sticks out further, but the Mazda 5 did come from the factory with 15' rims on it. The rear rotors will clear, I plan do be doing this to my fiancee's 3 when I swap the tires this winter.

A 2014+ car will not fit MOST 15" rims on the 2.0L, the clearance for the caliper is not large enough. I have had 1 steel wheel laying around the shop that fit on the 2014, but not well enough that I would have continued to run those.
With the 2014+ it is just safer to run 16" rims, because they were never designed to run a 15", the smallest size you get from factory is the 205/60R16 tires that come on it

[stinkyjim]

Thanks for the info. Too bad there aren't any photos because my dealer refuses to mount 15 inch wheels on my 2013 GS-sky hatch. So off to Costco I go. I was thinking of going the used tire route but I didn't want to mess around with so many unknowns.

Btw, Reddie1337, why delete the DRL? In my town, you'll get a ticket.

[Reddie1337]

Thanks for the info. Too bad there aren't any photos because my dealer refuses to mount 15 inch wheels on my 2013 GS-sky hatch. So off to Costco I go. I was thinking of going the used tire route but I didn't want to mess around with so many unknowns.

Btw, Reddie1337, why delete the DRL? In my town, you'll get a ticket.

On the GT/Tech package with the HID headlights, the DRL is a separate bulb that likes to melt the headlight housings. I just have my light sensor covered so my headlights come on all the time when the car is on.

Same brakes on a 2011 Mazda 3 2.0, I will post a photo of 15" Mazda 3 rims on my fiancees car shortly.
@stinkyjim

[stinkyjim]

Nice. I did not know that. Not a good move by Mazda but then again, I assume only the Cdn market needs DRL. Thanks again. I already bought the 15"inch rims a la Costco so I will soon have them myself.