May need skinnier rims for Mustang GT
Q: Last spring we bought a 2009 Mustang GT convertible. My wife and I have driven the last four years in a rear-wheel drive CTS but realize the horsepower, torque and relatively light tail end will require extra caution.
Well, it looks like I need some winter tires for the GT. I had purchased some chrome Shelby rims with Falken 452s but kept the original rims for the winter. The original tires are P235/55R17.
Can I go to a skinnier tire and/or could you recommend the preferred tire size for the winter.
A: You have two options for your Mustang: stay with your OE rims and the OE tire size or buy some narrower wheels so you can use a narrower tire for the winter. The OE wheels on the GT are 8 inches wide, the only correctdiameter tire that fits is the 235.The other correct 17-inch tire with the correct diameter is a P215/60R17, but the maximum rim width it fits is 7.5 inches. The 215 would digdown deeper in the snow.
As for tires,my first choice would be the Yokohama IG20. It offers the most grip for a tail-light car.The next choice would be the Bridgestone Blizzak. If deep snow/ice is not the major concern, I would look at the Pirelli Sotto Zero II,theContinental ExtremeWinterContact and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3. These three tires will allow the Mustang to act like a GT star when the pavement is bare.For a tire that is more of a generalist, consider the Michelin X-Ice Xi2, and finally for a budget price look at the General Tire Altimax Arctic and the Firestone Winter Force. And get some bags of kitty litter for the trunk. They add weight and the litter is a useful traction material when stuck.
Q: I have a 2009 Buick Alure. It has P225/55R17 tires. My two-year-old snow tires are P225/60R16. The dealer says they are okay for this new car. The tire shop says no. Who is right?
A: The tires on your new car are 26.7 inches in diameter. Your old tires are 26.6 inches. That very small variance is totally acceptable. Provided these tires are on wheels with the correct offset and bolt patternfor your car, they are fine.
Q: I have a 2008 Saturn Aura XE with a 2.4 L inline four. The original tires are all-season P225/50R17. I want to buy rims and snow tires for the winter. I would like to go to 16-inch rims to save money on both rims and tires. The Saturn dealer advised me that the acceptable 16-inch tires are P205/60R16 (first choice) or P215/60R16.
When I priced tires from Costco, they insisted that I should use the wider P225/60R16. Who should I believe? The Saturn dealer went out of business the day after I talked to them so I can't check with them.
A:The correct 16-inch size is P205/60R16. It is the correct diameter. Both the 215 and the 225 are too tall. Costco's choice of the 225 is the most wrong. Going down to 16-inch diameter and narrower will allow the tire to get down into the snow for better grip.
Q: I have a 2007 Dodge Nitro 3.7 L with a tire size of P225/75R16. I have winter tires from my previous van, a 2006 Dodge Caravan 3.3 L, with tire size of P215/65R16 on steel rims. Could I use these tires on my Dodge Nitro?
A: Sorry, this changeover is a no-go. Your tires on the Nitro are 29.3 inches in diameter. Your old tires are just 27 inches, so they are 2.3 inches too short. If you use them, your engine will have to work harder and use more revs and gas. Plus it will look like you are on toy car wheels.
Email tire questions to John Mahler at thetireguy_1@hotmail.com. Please include vehicle's make, model and year, tire brand and size, as well as your name, address and phone number.
Not all automatic cars are boring and soulless
Out with the old, in with the new for TTC bus fleet
Planning to idle your car? Beware of stale gas
