Tires and Wheels

[matrixalot]

I am tired of sliding through the winters - does anyone know the best tire/wheel combo to improve the matrix in snow/sluch driving? I have the XRS with 17" rims.

Thanks

[Smar969905]

go to your local les schwabb or other big tire chain, and tell them you want to get some winter tires. they will ask you what size tire you want, and you can get the same size as what you already have, so you can keep the same rims.

in the end, the rim doesn't make any difference for traction. it is about the tire in this case.

[thebarber]

my advice is to get some steelies off of a corolla and some 195-65-15 tires....itll likely be cheaper than 17" winters on stock rims....

[Smar969905]

Originally Posted by thebarber

my advice is to get some steelies off of a corolla and some 195-65-15 tires....itll likely be cheaper than 17" winters on stock rims....

yes...tires would be cheaper, but dont forget to factor in the cost of the new set of rims, and also look into a place to store them.

[mistamatrix]

Steelies are dirt cheap anyway. No more than $50 a pop. Even cheaper used. Storage is simple if he's got a garage, shed or bedroom. Dealers in the Toronto area offer storage. Some free of charge.

[msanford]

I know this might be a bit late, but I would echo the suggestions to get steel wheels. They'll save your nice rims from salt, gravel, accidentally sliding into the curb that you can't see which is covered by snow, etc.

As far as the best wheel-tire combo, I've heard that narrower wheels will improve traction in snow since the tire has more of a tendency to cut through the snow rather than to float over it (think of feet vs snowshoes) but I need verification of this rumour.

Also, keep your tires properly inflated. Check them at most weekly, best every time you fill up. Check them after any drastic temperature changes. Improperly inflated tires will kill your traction, and change your contact patch from a nice square to something less useful.

[damameke]

Originally Posted by matrixalot

I am tired of sliding through the winters - does anyone know the best tire/wheel combo to improve the matrix in snow/sluch driving? I have the XRS with 17" rims.

Thanks

Do you guys drive with snow tires/steelie on your matrix?

I was looking at snow/steelie last winter and the cheapest combo was from Canadian tire(16 inch instead of 17) i ended up not changing.

My tire wasnt that good last winter either. sliding like crazy and for sure I need 4 good tires this winter.

I am leaning towards the Nokian or Goodyear aquatred(I think thats what it is called) for summer/winter.

Anyone use this tires for winter?

[msanford]

I've done some research and have found that Nokian tires are beloved for winter driving, and what I will get for this winter on my new Matrix, with steel wheels.

There's just so much salt on the roads up here, and the increased possibility of accidentally curbing (as though there were any other kind!) from sliding, that steel rims make more sense to me.

[damameke]

Originally Posted by msanford

I've done some research and have found that Nokian tires are beloved for winter driving, and what I will get for this winter on my new Matrix, with steel wheels.

There's just so much salt on the roads up here, and the increased possibility of accidentally curbing (as though there were any other kind!) from sliding, that steel rims make more sense to me.

Are you going from 17 to 15?

I am thinking of the nokian WR - check this link http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/nokian.htm

it is an all season tire and good for winter.. therefore no changing of winter/summer.

what I have read, it might be a bit noisy.

[msanford]

damameke, have a look at my discussion of studded tires ( Studded tires: treadwear, advice, warnings? ). We discuss the WR and WRG2, as well as the Hakkapeliitta 5 (which is studded). I was sold on the non-studded WR by Jeddak, a driver from Alaska. Going to buy them shortly, once I get some steelies.

I, personally, couldn't care less how much "perceived pattern noise" there is from the tire. I never drive my car with my stereo off, and that's the only way I ever hear the tires anyway However, I am going to slap on some Nitto NT555s for the summer; so in the heat, with the windows down, the sound might annoy you in the end, but it's something I can safely ignore.

EDIT: Noticing that I didn't answer your question about wheel size: I'm not yet sure. My stock wheels are 16", but I don't really want the added tire thickness of going down to 15" rims. We'll see, I guess!