Advice on winter tires

2019 Civic Hatch EX, first winter. I've read the posts about snow tires and I've decided to get them, wheels and tires both. I have a few questions. Here are the leading options:

Dunn Tire, a regional tire store I've dealt with a long time, recommends:

• Wheels: Macpek steel, 16x6.5 5-114.3 40/67
• Tires: Sumitomo Ice Edge 215/55R16 97T BW XL
• Total cost (lug nuts, installed, tax): $720
• Sesasonal changeover is free.

Tirerack.com recommends:

• Wheels: no-brand-name steel, 16x6.5
• Tires: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 205/60R16 92H
• Total cost (lug nuts, shipping, installed, tax): $913
• Seasonal changeover $20.

Going with Dunn saves $40/year on changeover, plus I prefer dealing locally.
If I got the Blizzaks at Dunn it would be $1,060.

My questions:
1. Are 16" wheels the right choice? I decided because posts on this forum recommend downsizing wheels for snow tires.
2. Why the difference in tire sizes -- 215/55R16 vs 205/60R16 ?
I think the first tire is a little wider and not quite as high a sidewall; is that right? Is there enough of a difference to matter?
3. Anyone have experience with the Sumitomo Ice Edge? Internet reviews are very good -- average 4.5/5 from 150 reviews. But I can't be sure if they were all legit, and few mentioned performance on non-snowy roads. The Blizzaks are highly rated but are they worth the extra cost?

FWIW:
I drove a 2006 Civic EX until I got my 2019. Never had snow tires and got by okay, though there were a few anxious moments and I'm getting more cautious in my old age. I'm retired and don't drive much but I live near Buffalo, NY so we do get snow.

Some no brand wheel can't fit Honda original wheels hub.

I always had ice ( not snow ) tires on wheels for winter. Michelin Ice X3

Other questions, I don't know

latole said:

Some no brand wheel can't fit Honda original wheels hub.
I always had ice ( not snow ) tires on wheels for winter. Michelin Ice X3

Click to expand...

The guy I talked with at Tirerack said that they test the configuration to an actual vehicle to confirm the fit before selling it. I don't know if that's true but he was emphatic about it. In any case it's unlikely I'd go with a web deal.

I considered those Michelins, they look good and I've had all-season Michelin in the past. They're $250 more than the Sumitomo though and I don't know if it's worth the extra.

Thanks.

The 16’s will work fine for your application. I have 16” winter steelies on my Touring... no issues. Going -1 is purely for less expense.

The two tire sizes have virtually the same overall height, the 205 is slightly narrower and will cut through deep snow a bit more easily. It also has a proportionally taller sidewall, so you may notice turn in is not as crisp.

No experience with the Sumitomos, I’ve always been a Michelin guy because I’m frugal and get employee discount coupons. Currently have X-Ice I3’s. Damn fine tire.
I wouldn’t worry... any winter tire with the snowflake logo will be far superior to an all season tire on ice or in snow due to its construction, tread pattern and rubber compounds used.

BoxsterSteve said:

The 16’s will work fine for your application. I have 16” winter steelies on my Touring... no issues. Going -1 is purely for less expense.

The two tire sizes have virtually the same overall height, the 205 is slightly narrower and will cut through deep snow a bit more easily. It also has a proportionally taller sidewall, so you may notice turn in is not as crisp.

No experience with the Sumitomos, I’ve always been a Michelin guy because I’m frugal and get employee discount coupons. Currently have X-Ice I3’s. Damn fine tire.
I wouldn’t worry... any winter tire with the snowflake logo will be far superior to an all season tire on ice or in snow due to its construction, tread pattern and rubber compounds used.

Click to expand...

That's what I was hoping for. A part of me wants to get the X-Ice or Blizzak but I figured even the cheaper ones would be a big improvement.

Most days I can just stay home when the weather is bad, but on holidays/appointments/ socializing I feel obliged to go. I wouldn't drive in a blizzard but around here there are a lot of days when we just get a couple inches of snow and I'd be the local wimp if I avoided driving. I'll go out those days but I want to be as safe as possible.

Thanks.

You put these on and you won’t be the local wimp.

There are more ice in the road than snow, that is why I have ice tires.
My Michelin Ice X3 are also very good in snowé
Living in Quebec, Montreal area, we have always snow in the winter.
5 to 6 inches of snow for tomorrow

Really pumped to try out the Continental VikingContact 7s this winter. Supposed to be better handling on ice than the Michelins

Jim,
When I purchased my 2018 EX-T sedan I was doing the same winter tire research you are doing. I live in Minnesota, and we get a lot of cold weather and snow.

From past experience a front wheel drive car will work just fine in the winter without snow tires, but good all season radials are needed.

I've also found that the radial tires supplied on new cars are typically terrible in the snow. I suspect they are a harder rubber, and they just spin in the snow.

I procrastinated getting the second set of wheels with snow tires on them for my Civic. I decided to confirm that these stock tires were bad in snow, because I hate the hassle of switching sets of wheels twice a year. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stock 17" tires on my Civic work very well in snow. I'm recommending that you wait, and try them out before making the decision.

Good luck, JP

I do live in a rural area, only about 30 miles from Buffalo but mostly farm country. They do salt, sometimes excessively, but it can take a while for them to get everywhere.

Baime said:

Jim,
When I purchased my 2018 EX-T sedan I was doing the same winter tire research you are doing. I live in Minnesota, and we get a lot of cold weather and snow.

From past experience a front wheel drive car will work just fine in the winter without snow tires, but good all season radials are needed.

I've also found that the radial tires supplied on new cars are typically terrible in the snow. I suspect they are a harder rubber, and they just spin in the snow.

I procrastinated getting the second set of wheels with snow tires on them for my Civic. I decided to confirm that these stock tires were bad in snow, because I hate the hassle of switching sets of wheels twice a year. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stock 17" tires on my Civic work very well in snow. I'm recommending that you wait, and try them out before making the decision.

Good luck, JP

Click to expand...

JP,
I'm planning on waiting until December to make a final decision. We usually don't get much snow here until then, plus the local tire store might have a 10% off promotion. That front coming down from Canada is predicted to bring us 6" of snow this week so I'll have a chance to test the stock tires.

I know what you mean about the hassle of switching, although if I buy locally at least it wouldn't cost anything. I'd have to store them though -- the local place has a warehousing deal but it's way too expensive ($160/year).

Thanks for all the advice!

I chose 205/65R15 because it gives me exactly the same diameter as my car's original tires.
Here's a screen shot from
https://tiresize.com/calculator/

Thanks for the info. My local tire company doesn't have the ones I'm considering in 205/65R15. The available brands would cost me at least an extra $70.
The chart you pointed to showed this comparison using the Sumitomo 215/55R16 they recommended:



So the new diameter would be 0.2" smaller.

I like your idea of an identical diameter, but is two-tenths of an inch enough of a difference to pay $70 more?
Thanks!

BataviaJim said:

I like your idea of an identical diameter, but is two-tenths of an inch enough of a difference to pay $70 more?
Thanks!

Click to expand...

Sure, that size ought to work fine.

BataviaJim said:

2019 Civic Hatch EX, first winter. I've read the posts about snow tires and I've decided to get them, wheels and tires both. I have a few questions. Here are the leading options:

My questions:
1. Are 16" wheels the right choice? I decided because posts on this forum recommend downsizing wheels for snow tires.
2. Why the difference in tire sizes -- 215/55R16 vs 205/60R16 ?
I think the first tire is a little wider and not quite as high a sidewall; is that right? Is there enough of a difference to matter?
3. Anyone have experience with the Sumitomo Ice Edge? Internet reviews are very good -- average 4.5/5 from 150 reviews. But I can't be sure if they were all legit, and few mentioned performance on non-snowy roads. The Blizzaks are highly rated but are they worth the extra cost?

Click to expand...

Honda told me 16s don't usually fit and recommend 17s. Rims in 17s will be 235/45/R17 tires (0.4% diameter differential from OEM).

1. If you do get a 16 that fit:
215/55R16 is the proper diameter (0.4% differential)
205/60R16 will fit, but it's not the best fit (1.2% differential)
225/55R16 will also fit if you want wider than 215s, but is not the best fit (1.2% differential)

2. The difference between 215/55 and 205/60 is the 215 is 10mm wider section width, but has a 5% less sidewall aspect ratio than the 205/60. The "60" will absorb bumps better, but the 205 is far thinner than the OEM 235mm tire. It will have less rolling resistance in the snow, but will probably handle like crap when the road is dry.

3. I havent used Sumitomo tires, but I've heard Blizzaks were good tires.