Smallest suggested snow tire width

[Frank2310]

I am currently looking for a set of snow tires, I came across a set with rims that are 195/55/r16, would these be to small for our cars?

[frothy]

Well, the diameter of the tire is 1.2" shorter than stock. So you'd have a larger wheel well gap, you'd be dumping your car ~.6" closer to the ground, your speedometer would read higher than it should and you'd be racking up miles on your odometer at a faster rate than normal.

If you're looking for recommended sizes:

205/60R16 or 215/55R16

Play with this if need be:

Custom rims, wheel tire packages for your ride - RIMSnTIRES.com

EDIT: Another thing to keep in mind is running a tire size with a different diameter than stock may affect the ABS/Traction Control systems seeing as they work in conjunction with the wheel speed sensors which wouldn't be receiving accurate readings.

[anavrinIV]

Originally Posted by frothy EDIT: Another thing to keep in mind is running a tire size with a different diameter than stock may affect the ABS/Traction Control systems seeing as they work in conjunction with the wheel speed sensors which wouldn't be receiving accurate readings.

I think they mostly work on speed differentials between wheels so running a different size would be okay in that regard.

The rest I agree with though, you don't want a tire that much smaller than stock.

[frothy]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV I think they mostly work on speed differentials between wheels so running a different size would be okay in that regard.

That's correct. I've been in vehicles with broken, free–spinning, tone rings. In such a scenario traction control and ABS tend to kick in once you get to ~5mph and the system detects the discrepancy between the wheel speed sensors. I don't suspect it would wreak havoc on the system, just suggesting the potential might exist for traction control to engage prematurely with the smaller wheels and higher wheel speed sensor readings.

[Frank2310]

Thanks for the help, I figured that small of a tire wouldn't be the greatest idea on these cars.

[mituc]

205/50/r17.
16" rims are a bit too small, they are 2mm away from the front brake callipers and there isn't going to been ough cooling for the brakes not even during winter.
Also, 195mm tire is simply not enough for a 3500lb car assuming that you're not driving only on snow in 2nd gear.

[SkippyScallop]

Originally Posted by mituc 205/50/r17. 16" rims are a bit too small, they are 2mm away from the front brake callipers and there isn't going to been ough cooling for the brakes not even during winter. Also, 195mm tire is simply not enough for a 3500lb car assuming that you're not driving only on snow in 2nd gear.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but what are you basing your insufficient brake-cooling statement on?

[Jeff23spl]

If you have a speed3, 16inch open mag wasn't a problem for me, i never get brakes overheated, but i had HP+ pads and may not drive has hard as peoples do in Russia :-)
i think i used 215 55 16 to have them to last more than few months...

It doesn't fit at all on a speed6 unless you swap front brakes from a normal6
Minimum is 17inch despite ms3 and ms6 have the same rotor size, the caliper takes more space...i learned it few months ago.

i use these 16inch wheels, the offset was a bit agressive and the rear was rubbing a bit on stock coils. i rolled the fender a bit to fit 245 on RX8 wheels for summer and it solved this too at the same time.
https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/p...-OEM-Wheel.jpg