Question: 195/60 R16 for Winter Setup

[ivtaku7]

Just a quick question as I've searched and can't find anyone using this setup. I've got a set of 16x6.5 +55 OEM Legacy Snowflakes for my winter set. I haven't bought tires yet and I know that the wheels themselves will fit and have see the posts with 205/55 and 205/60 tires. To my limited knowledge on wheels/tires 195/60s would fit the wheels. Just curious if there's a reason why you wouldn't use 195/60s for the winter. Are they too light or skinny to be effective on these cars in the snow?

[jawn]

Generally, skinnier is better in the snow. It's just not going to be as grippy in the dry.

[ivtaku7]

10 mils makes that big of a difference?

[jawn]

Originally Posted by ivtaku7

10 mils makes that big of a difference?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Choose your own adventure. The stock Michelins have a tread width of 7.5", Blizzak WS80s in 195/60r16 have a tread width of 5.5".

[ivtaku7]

Originally Posted by jawn

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Choose your own adventure. The stock Michelins have a tread width of 7.5", Blizzak WS80s in 195/60r16 have a tread width of 5.5".

I guess that's a pretty good point. I dunno

[ivtaku7]

I may go with Michelin X-Ice in 195/60 because the tread width is 6.5" which would make me think dry handling would be better/safer than the Blizzaks at 5.5"

[jawn]

Originally Posted by ivtaku7

I may go with Michelin X-Ice in 195/60 because the tread width is 6.5" which would make me think dry handling would be better/safer than the Blizzaks at 5.5"

Sounds like a solid compromise.

[venturaII]

195/60 would dig into the snow great, but as mentioned, dry grip will be substantially lower. Also, they're a bit on the tall side, so it *might* rub a bit at full lock, especially if you're lowered or whatever...just guessing on that point. Personally, I think they'd be hilarious to drive on...."fun" doesn't necessarily mean "faster"...

[ivtaku7]

Originally Posted by venturaII

195/60 would dig into the snow great, but as mentioned, dry grip will be substantially lower. Also, they're a bit on the tall side, so it *might* rub a bit at full lock, especially if you're lowered or whatever...just guessing on that point. Personally, I think they'd be hilarious to drive on...."fun" doesn't necessarily mean "faster"...

I've seen people run 205/60 with no rubbing on the same wheels. I'd imagine 195 wouldn't rub either. I'm prolly gonna go 195, so I'll report back lol

For reference: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56662

[churchx]

venturaII: just that .. in winter it matters more how much grip you have in "worst scenario", like doing emergency braking on icy and/or unplown road or trying to avoid obstacle in front .. yes, dry grip will be less, but where it's way less important, as on dry tarmarc simply can be compensated with driver inputs/sanity by being easier on go pedal. One thing is how fast extra grip can help when pushing >9/10 on dry track, another - those few meters that divide if you have totaled your car from if you managed to brake in time/avoided crash at all on daily driven roads full of drivers of .. "varying skill" and roads themselves in state .. "far from ideal". Even powerful turbo evo-s ride on ice on very narrow tires. That should say something ..

[venturaII]

Isn't that what I just said?

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by ivtaku7

I've seen people run 205/60 with no rubbing on the same wheels. I'd imagine 195 wouldn't rub either. I'm prolly gonna go 195, so I'll report back lol

For reference: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56662

If a 205/60 doesn't rub, then I agree it's probably a safe assumption a 195 wouldn't either. The only other thing to be wary of is the really high offset (+55), but the narrow tire might cancel that part of the equation. Let us know after the first storm...I've always been a fan of the skinny snow tire look and performance, but was worried the 195/60 would be too tall. Get ready to have some wild 4 wheel drifts on dry offramps!

[ivtaku7]

Originally Posted by venturaII

If a 205/60 doesn't rub, then I agree it's probably a safe assumption a 195 wouldn't either. The only other thing to be wary of is the really high offset (+55), but the narrow tire might cancel that part of the equation. Let us know after the first storm...I've always been a fan of the skinny snow tire look and performance, but was worried the 195/60 would be too tall. Get ready to have some wild 4 wheel drifts on dry offramps!

Here they are installed. No rubbing at all, but they are a little loose on dry pavement when starting in first so I've just been taking it easy. I'm curious to see how they do in the snow.