Winter Tires

[GV10]

Hi, have a 2010 Grand Vitara, tire size 225 70R 17. Will be replacing my aluminum rims with
winter rims from dealer. They are 16in. The dealer recommends 225 70R 16 winter tire, but I am having
trouble finding this size locally. What would be the next best winter tire fit in a 16 inch winter or
all terrain tire. Thanks..........

[Jeff L.]

That is a fairly common size what kind of tire shops are available in your area?

Put Blizzaks on it for sure in my opinion.

[annfan]

I don't know where you are located but I agree, the 225/70-16 is not a common size. I use Michelin Latitude Ice-X winters in that size, but Michelin no longer makes them. At the moment there appear to be only 4 winter tires available in this size:

Continental ContiCrossContact
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1
Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow
Firestone Winterforce UV

The tire sizing chart might help you find a size that is close. If you notice, your 225/70-17 is not the same size as the 225/70-16 anyway. If you drive in the ice and snow definitely use proper winter tires, it makes an enormous difference.

[GV10]

Thanks for the replies...live on the east coast...St.Johns NL, Normally purchase
all our tires from Costco, but believe it or not, that particular size is not available in the BF, or Mich. May try the 225 75R 16. We have used the
Mich X-Ice for years on three other vehicles and love the performance.
Your thoughts on the 225 75R 16 ???

[MichelB]

Now Michelin has changed for these, from reviews I read they are better than the previous Latitude Xice. They are available in the size you are looking for at Costco. I'm going with them for next winter.

Latitude Alpin | Michelin Tires

[Jeff L.]

Live and work in Saskatoon...if it's not a popular size then I stand corrected, but we sure don't have ANY problem getting this size for normal tires or winter tires. In Calgary I would have assumed you'd have even more options...

Originally Posted by annfan

I don't know where you are located but I agree, the 225/70-16 is not a common size. I use Michelin Latitude Ice-X winters in that size, but Michelin no longer makes them. At the moment there appear to be only 4 winter tires available in this size:

Continental ContiCrossContact
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1
Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow
Firestone Winterforce UV

The tire sizing chart might help you find a size that is close. If you notice, your 225/70-17 is not the same size as the 225/70-16 anyway. If you drive in the ice and snow definitely use proper winter tires, it makes an enormous difference.

[semco]

Why would you go with 16? Get new winter tires for your 17 stock and get some dicent summer wheels after that. You can also get OEM 17 wheels from the states for less than $600 for set of 4 shipped to canada. The 16s cost even less and tires pick from tirerack. I got mine Yoka Parada SpecX - best for summer/all season and no regret.

I vote only for Nokian SUV 5 studded or not for winter.They are the best.

[geevee]

You might want to check the tread depth for your top choices. My final selection of the Blizzak DMZ-3 over the Michelin X-Ice was because the Blizzak had a tread depth of 14/32, as compared to the Michelin at 11/32. In terms of usable tread depth for winter use, that's a big difference.

Also, choosing the deeper tread means all the resources needed to make the tire carcasses are wasted less often.

[MichelB]

The Latitude Alpin have 12/32 and Latitude X-ice had 11/32 but I won't debate for 1 or 2/32 tread depth. I think that rubber composition and tread design have a lot more to do on longevity (well aside of the driver).

I had deeper tread winter tires before, but I did only 2 winters with Pirelli, 3 1/2 winters with Yokohama and did 5 winters with the Michelin Latitude X-ice.

Some will do better on ice or hard pack snow, some on deep snow and some on dry asphalt and others on wet, ... all to say that you have to choose for the best compromise for the main conditions you'll get where you live, rural, suburbs, downtown, deep cold, not too cold, lots of snow or not, ... it is good to have a lot of choice.

Also (from a member of my family who is in that business) try to buy local, rubber compositions are not always the same for US and Canada or Europe. Let say you get them from internet from US and live in Canada, you may not get the right thing. This not true for all manufacturers, but it is a fact for a lot of the main ones.

Because of these reasons, tire comparaison reviews you find may not be suitable for your region, advise from your local tire dealer (a good one) will be the best.

[Getalife13]

Originally Posted by semco

Why would you go with 16? Get new winter tires for your 17 stock and get some dicent summer wheels after that. You can also get OEM 17 wheels from the states for less than $600 for set of 4 shipped to canada. The 16s cost even less and tires pick from tirerack. I got mine Yoka Parada SpecX - best for summer/all season and no regret.

I vote only for Nokian SUV 5 studded or not for winter.They are the best.

+1 on the 16 inch tires. They're cheaper and easier to find. That's what i'm doing with mine.