Best Snow Tire Fitment

It is basically impossible to find snow tires for that size. I put the Michelin pilot sport ALL SEASON 4 on mine last week and it is handling some snow pretty well. It is one of the best all seasons for light snow.

Difficult, but not impossible. I highly recommend these Vredesteins from Tire Rack. I have the older model of these on my VW and I really like them. Quiet, smooth riding, severe snow service rated, pretty decent wear, and surprisingly affordable. If you look closely at the treads, you'll see one half is basically an all-season and the other half is a siped winter tire. I run them year round, can't really see any reason not to. They aren't quite as good as a full winter tire in the snow, but they're still much, much better than an all-season tire. I'm thinking that when the original Michelins wear out, I'll probably just run these year round on the GR86 also.

Vredestein Quatrac Pro | 215/40R18 (tirerack.com)

With the stock 18" rims, you can find winter tires in 225 width instead of 215. It is easier to find a set of winter tires under 225/40R18 set up.

16" steel wheels cost $50 apiece. Black if you like. You don't cringe every time you hit a pothole or drive through salty slush. And 16" winter tires in 215 or 205 cost much less than 18's, with plenty of options ranging from deep snow tires, to ice specialists, to cold-weather "performance". You only pay to mount them once, instead of $50 twice a year. It isn't pretty but it makes sense. Around here, we call it the police-interceptor look.

I'm in New England and have been doing winters on dedicated wheels for years. I've talked a few other people into it and none of them would go back to a single set. Not only do you not have to go to a tire shop to swap the tires, but because you effectively have 4 full size spares, you can ride on them when you need to drop off the summer wheels for new tires and just pick them up when they're done. No worries about appointments or hours, either. I wait until the day before the first storm to put the winters on. With a $50 electric impact gun I got on sale from HF and a decent torque wrench, I can swap them in less time than it takes to drive to the shop.

I'm getting a base GR86 and I'll probably use the 17s for winters next year and get lighter wheels for the summer.

Lou said:

16" steel wheels cost $50 apiece. Black if you like. You don't cringe every time you hit a pothole or drive through salty slush. And 16" winter tires in 215 or 205 cost much less than 18's, with plenty of options ranging from deep snow tires, to ice specialists, to cold-weather "performance". You only pay to mount them once, instead of $50 twice a year. It isn't pretty but it makes sense. Around here, we call it the police-interceptor look.

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They work great, until you have been out hooning it and they are packed full of snow and ice, good luck cleaning those out after that. Been there, done that, never ever again lol. I just grab some cheap 16inch alloys, not much more than steelies and if you pick a good set they are easy to clean out the snow/ice that gets packed in there. Because, nobody likes to have their whole car shaking violently down the highway lol.

Noobtber said:

Hello,

I'm starting to think that the PS4S tires on my Limited aren't going to be great for the incoming snow. Anyone have recommendations for tires (and wheels, if necessary)?

I'd prefer to keep my 18" wheels on and just sub tires, but I don't know if that will work. I'm having trouble finding snow tires in 215/40R18.

-Justin

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The OE tire is the PS4 (Pilot Sport 4) not the PS4S. And, yes, they won’t work in snow.

Midnightsky said:

They work great, until you have been out hooning it and they are packed full of snow and ice, good luck cleaning those out after that. Been there, done that, never ever again lol. I just grab some cheap 16inch alloys, not much more than steelies and if you pick a good set they are easy to clean out the snow/ice that gets packed in there. Because, nobody likes to have their whole car shaking violently down the highway lol.

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I had 16-inch steel wheels on my 2013 FR-S and my 2017 86 and never had one issue with packed snow, etc. And I did a ton a drifting and sliding.

MarcNoord said:

I had 16-inch steel wheels on my 2013 FR-S and my 2017 86 and never had one issue with packed snow, etc. And I did a ton a drifting and sliding.

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Hmmm strange, maybe you are just lucky? That or I am just very unlucky lol

Every car I've had built up snow inside the wheels. The steel wheels were more problematic because it was a lot harder to get a brush behind to clear the snow out while the alloys allowed access through the areas between the spokes.

I have the Michelin X-ice on my Honda Element. Fantastic tires, probably the quietest winter tires out there.

For dedicated winter setup, the Michelin X-ICE is probably the best. And has a 40k mileage warranty, try to beat that. For an all season/all weather I'd run either the Michelin Pilot AS4 for more performance oriented, or the Nokian WRG4 for closer to a winter tire with still good dry grip.

67morris said:

I found a set of 205/60/16 Blizzaks on steelies of off an Outback on Craigslist for $200. Fit and ride great.
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Any idea on wheel width?

PhoenixM3 said:

Any idea on wheel width?

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16x6.5

67morris said:

16x6.5

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Thanks!