Winter Wheel Widths 2012 Sport

[Veypor]

We just bought a 2012 HL Sport, and so far we are impressed. My wife feels better with winter tires so I am in the process of trying to find some snow tires. Based upon the manual the acceptable Type A Tires for the car are 245/65R17 (17"x7.5), so I have been searching to these type of tires, I am planning on buying new rims and tires just makes life easier (Initially searched for the winter 19" wow were they expensive).

When I search on Tire Rack and 1010Tries they suggest 8" width rims (Preferred Package), when I went to the dealer they told me to stay with 7.5" width rims and finally when I was at Costco and Canadian Tire they told me I should just get 7" width rims. Does the width matter as the tires are the same, as the tires above are able to go on rims from 7" to 8.5" (Checked the Specs).

The tires I am looking to buy are 245/65R17 (Based upon Consumer Reports Rating)
- Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI 2
- Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1
- General Altimax Arctic

Just would like to know what others have done, is there really a difference, or will this void my warranty if I change the width?

Thanks in Advance, Cory

[Ralph6410]

I would guess that the tire would fit best somewhere in the middle and to go to either end of the range would be for cosmetic considerations. The wider the rim though the easier it would get damaged when scuffed against a curb which would make me want a narrower rim.
On my 2011 I just opted for the 7.5 rim and the Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI 2. In retrospect that tire does not have that aggressive a tread pattern as the other two you are considering. Breaking trail in deep snow I would guess the other two would do better but on ice and packed snow the Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI 2 are working very well for me... with what little snow and ice we have had so far

[Subaryota]

I have an MY12 HL Sport.

I have the Atimax Arctic in the 245/65/17 mounted to Moda EB1s. I believe the rim size is 17x8 with 38mm offset. I went with 17" because they are far lighter and less expensive. Lighter wheels should improve performance and fuel efficiency.

If the TPMS warning light bothers you, get a set of OEM sensors; they're reasonably priced. When you go to reset the TPMS, you don't need to take it to the dealer. Just put your OEM all seasons away somewhere. Drive down the street so the car won't pick up the OEM all seasons. Then follow the instruction in the manual to reset the TPMS.

As for going with narrower rims, the theory of going to a narrower rim is that it stretches the sidewall thus stiffening it. I think it's supposed to improve handling. Personally, I would go +-0.5" to what manufacturer suggests.

Cheers

[luck123]

I've got a set of alloy wheels for winter and they are 17 x 7 and they work fine. The 17 x 8 will also work with a 245 series tire.

Yes, an 8" wheel may have greater likelihood of road rash, but with only .5" increase over stock, that means .25" more width on the outside. Even with that, there is sufficient tire bulge to prevent road rash, unless you really jamb the tire into the curb, and in that situation, a 7" vs 8" may not make a difference anyway. One thing to consider though is that you may pay a bit more for the 8" wheels.