195/55 R15 Winter Tire on M3?

[hhamzeh]

Hi,

Few months ago I went to the dealership (Ontario Mazda) and ordered 4 winter tire with steel rim for my 2008 Mazda3.

Yesterday, when I was taking the winter tires off, I noticed that the winter tires are 195/55 R15 instead of proper size 195/65 R16. I do know that the winter tire overall outside diameter is less than what it should be and this means I have less ground clearance and also mess up the speed meter. However, I did not feel any difference in terms of handling and performance.

Is there anything else that I should be aware of regarding this tire size?

Thanks for your input.

Hassan

[Thrizzl3]

wow those tires must be small..my 15" winters were 195/60/15

[condor888000]

Check out the tire load rating, it may be less than stock.

[midnightfxgt]

I would check speed and load ratings. If lower than stock, I would go back to the dealer for sure!

-John

[dentinger]

Hi,

I noticed that the winter tires are 195/55 R15 instead of proper size 195/65 R16.

huh?
i coulda sworn stock 15" tires sizes were 196/65/15, and stock 16" tires sized were 195/55/16... or is it 60/16?

195/65/16 is a large tire! much too large for our car.

[aris]

huh?
and stock 16" tires sized were 195/55/16.
.

I think stock size for 16" rim is 205/55/16

[xxSlidewaysxx]

I think stock size for 16" rim is 205/55/16

Those are my winter tires

[hhamzeh]

Sorry guys for the typo. The stock tire is 195/65-R15 (NOT R16). The only difference between the stock tire and the winter tire that the dealer ship gave me, is the aspect ratio (i.e. 55 instead of 65).

Does this winter tire (195/55-R15) affect the safety,performance, or handlling of the car?

[dentinger]

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

your new winter tires will be alot smaller.
your spedometer will be off, because the new tires are smaller.

[midnightfxgt]

Much Smaller!

Your speedo will say that you are travelling 6% too fast. That will be a pain. Eg. If your on the 401 doing 120KM, your speedo will read around 127-128. That will wear down warranty mileage, etc faster.

Your new tires are 6% difference, as mentioned. This is double the "standard" that most places follow, which is 3% of the difference.

If they did not explain this at the dealer, I would go back, and cause a bit of a fuss :)

-John

[hhamzeh]

Thanks guys for the info!

What I do not understand is that they did not have my winter tires in stock, and they had to order it for me. So, why not ordering the exact size? This just take the confidence of doing business with dealerships. They are usually over priced, but my understanding was that they do not subsitute with whatever they can find easier.

As per these tires, I have used them for four months, I do not think they will take it back, but as long is the tires do not cause any safety or performance issue, I guess I can live with it. Or at this point I may not have much choice.

Once again, thanks for your inputs.

Hassan

[midnightfxgt]

Hassan,

Going that much smaller is NOT recommended. I would at least contact the dealer and see what can be done. Be firm and polite with them and see what they say :)

-John

[allen@simplytire.com]

Hassan,

Going that much smaller is NOT recommended. I would at least contact the dealer and see what can be done. Be firm and polite with them and see what they say :)

-John

Totally agree...

For comparison sake, a 2001 Mazda Protege took a 195-55-15...