Snow Tire Sizing

[318kid]

I'm debating on snow tire sizes...

185/65r14 vs 185/70r14

which would you choose? The 65 is .5" smaller than 195/65r14, the 70 is .2" larger. Does it really matter? Which would you get.

[rwh11385]

185/65-14 is closer to stock that what most people run with (like 205/50-15)

[Chrisbike]

I run 185/65/14 General altimax artics.. They are great, I think the speedo is going to differ a little more running and 70 tire.

[318kid]

I run 185/65/14 General altimax artics.. They are great, I think the speedo is going to differ a little more running and 70 tire.

Good to know. I was debating between the two. Its about $8 more a tire to go with the 185/65r14 over the 185/70. I think there may be a bit too much sidewall with the 185/70's though. Are yours studded? I was going to the the General Altimax Artics but leave them unstudded.

[Chrisbike]

Mine aren't studded, usually the roads don't get very icy where I live, and in the Mountains it's usually packed snow or dry pavement. I think I bought mine for 65 a pop from tire rack and bought a 5th later because one got a nick in the sidewall. I've heard that these are just rebranded continentals so the quality is great (no uneven wear from mine). If you don't care about the speedo being a little off. You probably won't have any issues with a 70 height tire, it's not a very significant difference. Plus more ground clearance (as long as your not on low springs). Studs are loud and they wear out pretty fast on dry pavement eventually becoming useless.

[estoguy]

I've been running 185 65 R14 tires on mine the whole time... both summer and winter tires. No issues. My new winter tires are Michelin X-Ice Xi2... no complaints, good tires. :)

[318kid]

I just picked up a set of General Altimax Arctic tires in 185/65r14. I'm lowered and I wanted the shorter sidewal for better dry cornering. It was about $25 more to get the smaller tire. I'm happy with the purchase and it looks like they will be good tires in the snow. I live in Denver and commute to the airport so mostly highway for me.

[UlrichFennec]

I run Champiro Ice Pros on the bottlecaps. 195/70/14 and I haven't had any issues on H&R sports. A bit more meaty than some would like, but I don't have any rubbing on the inside at full lock.

[Chrisbike]

I just picked up a set of General Altimax Arctic

Glad to hear you got some.

[nrubenstein]

185/70 is going to be better for snow as you'll have more ground clearance. That would be my choice.

[ccarey3]

The General Altimax are indeed a great snow tire. You can't beat the price, they are fairly quiet and perform pretty well in all conditions. I found myself lost on an unplowed snowmobile trail (Hard-packed but at least a foot deep) in the mountains of Maine one year heading to a cabin in the dead of night. Got stuck in a ditch once trying to turn but they got me through it with lots of revs and a (thankfully) working LSD despite being lowered on H&R race springs. The owner of the cabin later told me they often have to haul visitors stuff up the mountain with a side by side because even trucks and SUV's generally can't make it up that road. Mine have lasted me four years (two of which I used them year round) and I'll be buying another set this winter.

[ccarey3]

I went with the 70's btw and didn't notice any variation in my speedo.

[lambo]

The speedo error going from 195/65 to 185/70 is -0.89%. Not noticeable to anyone. In fact, the error going from 195/65 to 185/65 is +2.18%. 185/70 is a better option.

[318kid]

Lambo is right. The 70 sidewall with 185 tire is closer matched to the 195/65r14. I was worried about there being too much sidewall with that size but when I do it again I'd probably go 185/70r14. The same tire in 70 size was less than the 185/65r14 and the 65 size tire looks just a touch too small in my opinion. Also I don't have anything but good things to say for the general tire. It performs decent in dry (for a winter tire) and it's excellent in the snow (obviously). Now if only we could get more snow...

[M10Power]

Snow Tire Sizing, continued

Forecast here in NW Washington State is calling for snow next week. Found a set of four bottlecaps for cheap so I thought I'd get some snow tires mounted. Though I am tempted by the service provided by the local Les Schwab dealer, I'm inclined to go brand name. Tire Rack has Dunlop Winter Maxx in 175/70R14's for $225/set after rebate, or Michelin XIce (same dims) for $255/set after rebate. Any strong opinions for or against either of these? I'm partial to Michelins from experience on our SUV, but I'm drawn to the aggressive, open-block tread pattern of the Dunlops.