What size winter tires on XRS

[Newfie]

I went to my dealer today to order my winter tires, i got a winter tire and rim kit free with my car, anyway the dealer told me that he can't get the x ice tires in a 195 55 16. however he could get me some blizzaks instead. should i go with these or should i tell him i want my x ice, he can get a 205 60 15, or a 205 55 16.........
what should i do?

Thanks
Newfie

[rolla-XRS]

Just my 2-cents.

I put X-Ice 195/60R15 on mine this week - they seem to be in good supply. (Yes some X-Ice tire sizes are ins very short supply). I suppose they carry 205/60R15 although I don't see why anyone would want a wider winter tire. I always thought skinnier tires were better in winter. Plus that extra width will wreak havoc on your side skits and wheel wells as the tires lean further outside with the sand and gravel they throw up.

[silver04rollas]

For the size of 195/55/16 you will only find expensive tires. I went up one size and did research on 205/55/16 and found BF Goodrich winter slaloms for just $110 Canadian a piece. They are awesome. Really good at cornering and grip the road well even on dry pavement and fairly close to the stock Michellins we got. As for the speedometer, my tires were installed by my Toyota dealership and they told t he difference in speedometer because of a different rolling radius would be less than a mile i.e The speedo will show 60 mph when you are going at 60.9 mph or so. I would highly recommend these tires.

[silver04rollas]

No way, rollaxrs. I have 205/55/16s put on by Toyota themselves and I checked the clearance in all direction. It is all good. The width change you are talking about is half an inch ( 10mm). They look a tiny bit wider and with as good clearance. I fully rotated my tires and checked if it rubs against anything. Toyota told me that the car is equipped to hold tires as wide as 225mm.

Originally posted by rolla-XRS
Just my 2-cents.

Plus that extra width will wreak havoc on your side skits and wheel wells as the tires lean further outside with the sand and gravel they throw up.

[rolla-XRS]

Whoops - I guess I wasn't clear. I was always told that thin tires have greater advantage in the snow than thicker tires. So that's one reason I stuck with 195's.

The other reason what the potential to cause damage to the edge/lip of the wheelwell and nearby side skirts. Winter tires will pickup a lot of road crud and slap it hard against the inside of the wheelwell. With my 195's looking mightly close to the "metal edge" - I'd have thought that 205's would risk this stone/chip damage.

[silver04rollas]

Yeah, you have a point there. There are no doubts thinner tires are better in winter.

Originally posted by rolla-XRS
Whoops - I guess I wasn't clear. I was always told that thin tires have greater advantage in the snow than thicker tires. So that's one reason I stuck with 195's.

The other reason what the potential to cause damage to the edge/lip of the wheelwell and nearby side skirts. Winter tires will pickup a lot of road crud and slap it hard against the inside of the wheelwell. With my 195's looking mightly close to the "metal edge" - I'd have thought that 205's would risk this stone/chip damage.

[Dark_Serpent]

don't go too wide for winter tires. keep stock size would do a good job.. and save ur $$$$.

[silver04rollas]

No the XRS tire size is 195/55/16, which is a very unique tire size. The only winter tires available in this size are by Michellin or Blizzacs, which are expensive. On the other hand, 205/55/16 is a very common size and a wide selection of cheap and expensive tires are available in this size and that is why I went up one size.

Originally posted by Dark_Serpent
don't go too wide for winter tires. keep stock size would do a good job.. and save ur $$$$.

[Option_Fans]

I have a question? can you put 205/55/16 or 205/50/16 tires on the stock XRS rims?

[rolla-XRS]

Well I'm pretty sure you can put the 205/55R16's on your stock XRS rims. There's a guy at work who told me that you can go +/- 10mm either way (JL you know who you are. ) He had a set of Celica GTS rims (which usually have 205/55R16 tires) but with the stock XRS Michelin summer tires (195/55R16).

I'm not sure about putting aspect 50 tires. I presume so since that just means you have a smaller sidewall.

Whoever is mounting your tires should have a good idea on whether you're still in spec or risking a problem with rubbing.

GL