jeeper2269

I am thinking about just putting studded tires on my stock 18" wheels. The invoice shows 225/40r18 front, and 255/35r18 back. Can I just run a set of one or the other on all four?

I don't have the car yet. Will December 27th or so.

jeeper2269

Well, I guess it's a stupid question.

I've tried searching for studded tires to put on the stock 18" wheels that are staggered and have only come up with one brand anyway.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta

jeeper2269

I am simply trying to figure out if I should get studded tires to instal on the staggerd stock 18" wheels that come with the IS F Sport. Or to buy the 17" black wheels with studs for $1400

http://www.carid.com/focal-wheels/428sb-f-04-428-6714sbp42-e-12137758.html?gclid=CJCqjdyrtMICFdGCfgodgVMAkw


Ultimate plan is to have a winter set to run (studs) for a few months, then pic some great 19" black wheels for the other seasons.

Loe

you can run 225's all around, but I would run 225/45's in the back (instead of the 225/40 in front) to account for a lower overall OD from the rear wheels that are .5" wider (therefore the tire will be more "stretched"). For winter tires, is always best to run the skinniest tire you can fit as it'll "slice" through snow for traction much better than a tire with a larger contact patch.

jeeper2269

So, are you saying I should stagger anyway?

mrkjsn

If you have AWD, you will want to keep the same ratio, so yes, the tires will need to be staggered because the rear wheels are wider than the front. Stretching narrower tires to fit over the rear wheels will decrease the tire's overall diameter. Your rear will not rotate in the same speed as the front tires, which will eat up your differentials.

If you have RWD, it shouldn't matter.

jeeper2269

If I understand this correctly, I will need to run the exact size studded tires as the stock ones???

This will mean that I can only put Nokian studs on it, which are extremely expensive 😕

Correct me if I am wrong, or if you guys have a better idea/solution for studded tires. I am willing to buy wheels.

mrkjsn

If you want to use the staggered stock wheels then yes, you will need to use the same specification used front and back separately. You can buy cheap wheels, same size front and back, and use the same size tires without staggering. So long as the overall diameter is the same, then you're good.

jeeper2269

Thank God! I just called Schwab and they told me they can't get studded tires for the stock wheels.

A set of studdless is almost $1400, tires alone.

So, I will just do the 17" Focal wheels with studs for the same price.

jeeper2269

Maybe I misread one of the replies. But, after looking closer at the spec sheet, I learned that the standard base (non f sport) 17" wheels and tires are the same size all the way around. So, I can simply buy four 17" rims and the studded tires like I had planned. Hope that helps others and this didn't just waste space. Thanks for the help.

IS3F

I just put my car on 225/45/17 all around for winter

computerwi

For the IS350 F-sport models, I was told by the dealer that 17" wheels will not provide sufficient clearance for the brake calipers. I never confirmed this though...

I am running 225/40R18 (standard front size in Canada) at all 4 corners for my IS350 AWD. Note these are mounted on separate factory rims. The difference in circumference between 255/35R18 and 225/40R18 is 0.3%, which is negligible and wouldn't damage the differential.

aeggroup

I'm running 245/45/17 all four tires...no issues..