Winter tire downsizing?

Londonguy · 11-11-2012, 10:02 AM

I know there have been other threads on this somewhere but I have stock Contintental 205/55/16 and want to get a new set of winter tires. Question is can I downsize this safely to 195/65/15? Will the tire shop know the exact 15" rims I should get as well, paying attention to offset etc. Has anyone done this with their 16s down to 15's for winter? Thanks.

Aaron.H · 11-11-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londonguy

I know there have been other threads on this somewhere but I have stock Contintental 205/55/16 and want to get a new set of winter tires. Question is can I downsize this safely to 195/65/15? Will the tire shop know the exact 15" rims I should get as well, paying attention to offset etc. Has anyone done this with their 16s down to 15's for winter? Thanks.

Doing so right now. I have the 16" steelies that came with the elantra but neede winters and trying to reduce bit of cost to downgrade to 15" tires for winter. The base model comes with 15x6 steelies. Also keep in mind center bore size when ordering steelies or aftermarket rims if not oem as may not be the elantras 67.1mm otherwise you'll likely need hub centric rings. Luckily for me the steelies were that size. I bought set of continental extreme winter contacts(195/65/r15) on 15x6(67.1 center bore)

Londonguy · 11-11-2012, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron.H

Doing so right now. I have the 16" steelies that came with the elantra but neede winters and trying to reduce bit of cost to downgrade to 15" tires for winter. The base model comes with 15x6 steelies. Also keep in mind center bore size when ordering steelies or aftermarket rims if not oem as may not be the elantras 67.1mm otherwise you'll likely need hub centric rings. Luckily for me the steelies were that size. I bought set of continental extreme winter contacts(195/65/r15) on 15x6(67.1 center bore)

Thanks. Did you go with OEM rims?

TurboLed · 11-11-2012, 11:13 AM

You save about 100$ or more going 15" instead of 16", way enough to save on the price of the rims. That's a smart move I think.

HamRadio · 11-11-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londonguy

I know there have been other threads on this somewhere but I have stock Contintental 205/55/16 and want to get a new set of winter tires. Question is can I downsize this safely to 195/65/15? Will the tire shop know the exact 15" rims I should get as well, paying attention to offset etc. Has anyone done this with their 16s down to 15's for winter? Thanks.

I just placed my order with the dealer. He recommended that I downsize with the 195/65/15 winter tires. The Elantra GLS came with the Continental tire as described by you. I bought Yokohama winter tires. Dealer matched the cost from a Tire shop in town.
Installation will be on the 21st. I bought his steel rims although they were more expensive. In the long run it evens irself out. At least I am sure of the quality with the Hyundai rim.

**lovemysantafe** · 11-11-2012, 11:06 PM

I have the 17" Limited wheels and tires and for the snow tires I downsized to the 16" size from the GLS for...you guessed it...cost.

Xion · 11-12-2012, 07:56 AM

15'' is better in winter, more rubber = smooth ride over pothholes. I negotiated mine with stellies when I bought the car. I got them for free.

Krzysiek2011 · 11-12-2012, 09:24 AM

Same here, I have 15" for winter and 16" for summer.

Don67 · 11-12-2012, 05:49 PM

I downsized to 195/65R15... piece of cake. It's the standard size for base model Elantras here in Canada.

Skinny and high profile is definitely the way to go in winter.

Aaron.H · 11-12-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Londonguy

Thanks. Did you go with OEM rims?

no still aftermarket multi miles or something they are called but the center bore was still 67.1. i could have got the Hyundai steelies but that was $5 more each

11-11-2012, 10:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Londonguy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 191	Winter tire downsizing? I know there have been other threads on this somewhere but I have stock Contintental 205/55/16 and want to get a new set of winter tires. Question is can I downsize this safely to 195/65/15? Will the tire shop know the exact 15" rims I should get as well, paying attention to offset etc. Has anyone done this with their 16s down to 15's for winter? Thanks.

11-11-2012, 11:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
lovemysantafe SENIOR MODERATOR Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon (USA) Drives: 2012 Elantra Limited Posts: 6,479	I have the 17" Limited wheels and tires and for the snow tires I downsized to the 16" size from the GLS for...you guessed it...cost. __________________ - Andrew '12 Elantra Limited w/Tech - 'Emma' Titanium Gray / Gray Leather ---- KDM headlights w/NightBreaker high beam bulbs, 30% tint all around, front plate delete with BumperPlugs, 37W fog lamp bulbs, Honda Fit wipers KYB rear shocks, 5K white license plate and trunk LEDs, V3 Triton rear turn signal LEDs, custom leather steering wheel wrap w/contrasted stitching, KDM aluminum pedal set.

11-11-2012, 11:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
TurboLed Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada Drives Elantra GT GL 2013 Posts: 935	You save about 100$ or more going 15" instead of 16", way enough to save on the price of the rims. That's a smart move I think.

11-12-2012, 09:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
Krzysiek2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada 2011 Elantra GLS Posts: 125	Same here, I have 15" for winter and 16" for summer.

11-12-2012, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Don67 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ottawa, Canada Drives 2012 Veracruz GL FWD, 2011 Elantra GLS Auto. Former 2008 Santa Fe 3.3 AWD Posts: 4,599	I downsized to 195/65R15... piece of cake. It's the standard size for base model Elantras here in Canada. Skinny and high profile is definitely the way to go in winter.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Hyundai Forums Advertisement

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)