Mazda 3 gt winter tires

[maurice]

I looked thru the threads and there is a lot of info, my only question would be that I have 17 rims, could I but 16 steel rims with winter tires and would they fit. I just bought the car and am concerned about winter driving. Thanks

[Krisekca]

16" will work just fine make sure u will buy some good winter tires

[maurice]

16" will work just fine make sure u will buy some good winter tires

What size should I look for?

[maurice]

What size should I look for?

I mean should I get 205 50r16 or can I get smaller?

[sauga_kid]

You can't go smaller than 16" due to your brakes I belive, correct me if I'm wrong.

[Noisy Crow]

You need to bump the aspect ratio due to the smaller rim.

If I recall correctly, I used 205/55R16 on my car.


Depending on what version of the 3 you have you may be able to go smaller than a 16" rim. In general the cars with the 2.0L engine have the smaller rotors, the cars with the 2.3L engine have the larger rotors. But I am not sure if that is a hard-and-fast rule...

[whiteomega]

If you've got a GT, then 16" is the smallest you can go; any smaller and the wheels likely won't clear the brakes.

The correct tire size is 205/55/16 for 16" wheels.

Edit: a thinner tire might also be better for winter weather; you could probably use a 195/60/16 as well; in either case your speedo will off by a little about (< 1%)

[maurice]

Thanks for your help, I live in Winnipeg and winter tires will come in handy for 5 months of the year. Does anyone know of a good but not to expensive tire store to purchase winter tires in Winnipeg. Also when should these tire be installed?

[bj21]

Also when should these tire be installed?


Ideally before it snows. :loco

bj21

[theurgy]

The stock tire size for the GT is 205/50R17
If you scale down to 16" you'll need 205/55R16 which is 0.8% different
If you want to go thinner for winter go 195/60R16 which is 0.56% different

[Fuman]

One SHOULD put it on before it snows.
I put my on when it starts nearing 0 degrees on a daily basis

[maurice]

One SHOULD put it on before it snows.
I put my on when it starts nearing 0 degrees on a daily basis

In Winnipeg that means mid Oct until end of March.

[Fuman]

In Winnipeg that means mid Oct until end of March.
my winters grip more than my summers starting at 2,3 degrees Celsius and below.
Any precipitation at 0 degrees Celsius and below, I'd rather be on winters

[allen@simplytire.com]

If you want to go thinner for winter go 195/60R16 which is 0.56% different

195-60-16 doesnt' exist...


Hey Maurice,

205-55-16 is the right size... dont' deviate from that size as it works best on a GT.

[theurgy]

LOL I was only playing with the numbers.. I can't comment on what does and doesn't exist..

[x_o_k_x]

Its in your owners manual, read it

[maurice]

I know most on here are from Toronto, but does anyone know of a good place to purchase these tires in Winnipeg. Thanks again

[Fuman]

I know most on here are from Toronto, but does anyone know of a good place to purchase these tires in Winnipeg. Thanks again
nope, but you may save load of money if you go to the states.
Discount tires is good (although i have only been to the Dearborn, MI location).
http://discounttires.com/
Tirerack.com is also decent (ordering online. I think they have local dealers in USA as well)

[allen@simplytire.com]

I know most on here are from Toronto, but does anyone know of a good place to purchase these tires in Winnipeg. Thanks again

I might be able to ship you something cheap enough to match or beat US pricing... We ship out over 200 winter packages over the winter months all across Canada. PM me your postal code and I will give you a shipping quote on a wheel and tire package....