Downsize for winters?

I won't attempt to answer your question because I can't. But I'd like to ask a question: Why downsize? Why not run exactly what the engineers designed?

They cost less and are better at cutting through snow with narrower tires. I went down a size for my MDX and had no issues.

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Contact a place like Tirerack or Discount tire. Sales guy just doesn't know. Only possible issue I could see is the brake caliper limiting wheel size. Either tire/wheel retailer will know for certain. I am running 225/60/17 Blizzak mounted on Tirerack Moda wheels on my 2015 FXT. Stock wheels are 18".

If you're primarily driving in deep snow, a narrow tire does have the advantage. But on plowed and/or packed snow/ice, a larger contact patch for the winter tires to grip and do their job is preferred. (IMHO)

Depends on your scenario.

I'm with ya on cheaper tires though! More sidewall is nice too.

Tirerack told me 225/65/16 will fit mine my Canadian Touring trim, which is close to the American Premium trim. Maybe it's not worth the uncertainty though.

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Just make sure that the diameter of the 16-inchers match the diameter of the OEM wheels as closely as possible. You won't run into wheel well interference issues that way and your speedometer will stay roughly accurate. Unlikely that going down one inch in rim size will cause brake rotor or caliper issues.

There are many tire size calculators on the web to use comparing diameters.

I use Tiresize.com all the time when looking at alternative tire sizes. The link I attached should open up with your stock 225/60R-17 size, and a table of comparable tire sizes in different rim sizes. The 216/65R-16 you are looking at are .6" shorter, and only .4" narrower, so the biggest difference will be your speedo reading incorectly. Now a 195/75R-16 is a full inch narrower and only .2 shorter. Be aware that snow tires are selling out in many areas.

https://tiresize.com/tiresizes/225-60R17.htm

The 225/65/16 that tirerack recommended is very close in diameter to the stock tires, but savings are not that much.
I think I will stick with the stock size if I end up getting winters now.

I'm picking up the Foz this Friday. I can't wait!

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Are you buying OEM 17in rims? I can't steels with correct +48 offset.

I'm not sure if I am going with steel or alloys yet. Is the offset 48mm? I didn't even know that.

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I bought hubcentric 17" black steel wheels with 48 mm offset from an online retailer, PMC Tire in Sherbrooke Quebec.
I also bought my winter tires from them, mounted and balanced on said wheels, free shipping, and GST only.


This is the wheel: PMC Steel Wheel Black wheel | 17X7, 5x100, 56.1, 48 offset
SKU: PMC_750000_X41757&&valve

I have only good things to say about PMC Tire.

I have heard good things about PMC. Which tires did you go with and would you share the total cost?

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As mentioned Tire Rack and I believe Discount Tire have great calculators. Put in your car information and it will give you Winter tire and wiynter wheel recommendations. I'm more familiar with Tire Rack, which includes customer reviews, and for some tires, Tire Rack comparison reviews


https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/hunters-ramblings/why-are-narrower-tires-better-for-winter

regajohn said:

As mentioned Tire Rack and I believe Discount Tire have great calculators. Put in your car information and it will give you Winter tire and wiynter wheel recommendations. I'm more familiar with Tire Rack, which includes customer reviews, and for some tires, Tire Rack comparison reviews


https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/hunters-ramblings/why-are-narrower-tires-better-for-winter

Click to expand...

Oh I used them too. I was thrown off by the trim level because Touring is the top trim south of the border. They said 225/65/16 will fit their premium trim which looks similar to the Canadian touring trim.
However, the price difference isn't as big as I thought so I am going with the stock size at 225/60/17.

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Turbo_Subie said:

Just make sure that the diameter of the 16-inchers match the diameter of the OEM wheels as closely as possible. You won't run into wheel well interference issues that way and your speedometer will stay roughly accurate. Unlikely that going down one inch in rim size will cause brake rotor or caliper issues.

There are many tire size calculators on the web to use comparing diameters.

Click to expand...

It is very possible that losing an inch of diameter will interfere with the caliper.

bigbird1 said:

Sure.

Continental - WinterContact SI - P225/60R17 XL 103H BSW SKU: C1539063 Four for $663.32


Tire & Wheel Mounting SKU: pmc-assembly (includes balancing) no charge


PMC Steel Wheel Black wheel | 17X7, 5x100, 56.1, 48 offset
SKU: PMC_750000_X41757&&valve Four for $278.76

Shipping: no charge

GST: $47.10

Total: $989.18

Rebate from Continental Tire: $65 prepaid Visa card

Click to expand...

Thank you.

The total for WS-80 which I like very comes to higher than Costco's total. I'd chose Costco for ease of installation and after-sale service.
Is the bolt pattern for the wheels you got right? My 2019 will have 5x114.3 bolt pattern.
Thanks for sharing the details!

Yes, the black steel wheels I got fit perfectly.
They were the only steel wheels available that were hubcentric.
I downsized the winter wheels and tires, as my '18 LTD came with 18" wheels and tires.

Maybe 2018s had different bolt pattern then.

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