Winter Tire Size for the Mazda 3

[Lastchancers]

Hi

I was thinking of buying some winter tires for my 2010 mazda 3. Apparently, the dealer sells snow tires with the following size: P205/55/16

However, I may be able to get a deal on other tire that is a 15" tire from a 3rd party. But I don't know if they would fit my car. The other tires are P205-65-15

How can you tell if they would fit the car or not?

[aris]

If your car has the 2.0L then yes it will fit... If your car had the 2.5L then you will have to go with 16's

[Lastchancers]

If your car has the 2.0L then yes it will fit... If your car had the 2.5L then you will have to go with 16's

Thanks Aris. I think I will end up going with a 16" tire.

However, I notice when shopping around that there are a ton of 16" tires out there. Not sure if I have to go with a 205/55/16 or if

205/50/16 or 215/70/16 or 225/60/16, etc. will do.

[aris]

205/55/16 is stock height.. Thoses other sizes will throw your speedo off

[stock3]

General rule of thumb for winter tires is to go with the narrowest, smallest diameter and highest profile tire that will not change the overall stock wheel size. For 2.0 that would be 195/65/R15 and for 2.3/2.5 it is 205/55/R16 tire.

So if you're getting separate rims, go with the smallest rim size possible, and if you keep your stock rims and just want to swap tires, then go with whatever you currently have.

[shankqiu]

how about 10' sport gx with 16" stock steeles?
thanks

[aris]

how about 10' sport gx with 16" stock steeles?
thanks

What motor does your car have?

[Kappa]

gx is always 2.0 is it not?

[Charlie S]

Wheel and tire size 205/50/16 will be perfect.
What I did was, because my previous car was a 2003 Mazda Protege, I went back on their website ,
( http://www.toprotege.com/forums/ ) and found a set of 16' wheels for sale, then went and bought a set of Hankook snows.

They fitted perfect.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7668/1212091550.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/1212091550.jpg/)

[aris]

205/55/16 will go better in the snow then 205/50/16 cause it's a taller tire.

Just find out what motor you have if it's the 2.0L you can buy 15's 195/65/15 and if it's the 2.5L then you have to go with 205/55/16

[kckev99]

205/50-R16 is an odd size and will cost you more. Not many vehicles use this size.

205/55 is stock size for GX. 205/55 series is more common and can be found on many different vehicles hence it is cheaper than 50 series. Trust me I know as my other car uses 205/50 and it is very difficult to find affordable tires for it.

[shu5892001]

check simply tire or exclusive tires from our sponsor section, they will have the right size at the right price

[alexo]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread...

What in your opinion would be the best winter setup in the GTA for the GS-SKY?
- 205/55R16 (stock size on 16" rims)
- 205/60R15 (-0.77% on 15" rims)
- 195/65R15 (+0.44% on 15" rims)

Thanks.

[gotak]

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread...

What in your opinion would be the best winter setup in the GTA for the GS-SKY?
- 205/55R16 (stock size on 16" rims)
- 205/60R15 (-0.77% on 15" rims)
- 195/65R15 (+0.44% on 15" rims)

Thanks.

Whichever give you the best tire for your budget is my suggestion. Anyone of the ones you listed will do fine. The actual tire matters way more than the sizes on your list.

[Johns 08 3 GT]

The 15" would probably be cheaper.

[alexo]

I understand the budget angle.
I'm also interest about possible differences in safety and/or performance.

For example, AFAIK, narrower tires supposedly have better snow traction (don't know how important it is for the Toronto winters)

[sube]

Wheel and tire size 205/50/16 will be perfect.
What I did was, because my previous car was a 2003 Mazda Protege, I went back on their website ,
( http://www.toprotege.com/forums/ ) and found a set of 16' wheels for sale, then went and bought a set of Hankook snows.

They fitted perfect.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7668/1212091550.th.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/i/1212091550.jpg/)

Actually the stock tire on the Protege5 and Protege ES was a 195x50x16 not 205x50x16.

Pat.

[Aitch]

Actually the stock tire on the Protege5 and Protege ES was a 195x50x16 not 205x50x16.

Pat.

I shouldn't even bother since that post was from 2010, but I believe he only bought the Protege wheels, and then appropriate tires.