criticalgt

I'm looking to get some winter tires for the brutal Chicago winters. I'm looking to get the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2. I was thinking about running 245/40/18 all around. The size is within the 3% difference. I want that extra meat for...well winter.

From what I've seen, dedicated ice and snow tires such as the Hakkas or the WS80 have less thread width (although the section width reflects the size of the tire) than say a size down winter performance tires such as the Blizzak LM-32 in 235/40/18.

Those are the tires that I have in mind. With that being said, is it OK to run the bigger 245/40 ice and snow tires instead of the 235/40 winter performance tires?

Is my logic flawed?

The 245/40/18 tires are also "significantly" cheaper...

forum429

I was running 245/40R18 on stock F sport wheels and it will fit.

criticalgt

Got any pictures? 245/40 doesn't look too bulky on 8" wheel?

Loe

ideally you'll want to run skinner tires to improve traction in snow as it "cuts" through snow better to find acceleration and lateral grip

criticalgt

In order to accommodate the staggered wheels, those are the two brands & sizes that I feel comfortable with. I want to avoid stretched tires in winter. As stated earlier, although 245/40 has a bigger overall section, the thread section (actual tire in contact with the road) is still smaller than the 235/40 winter performance blizzaks. So 245/40 only increases the overall diameter of the tire but it is within the 3% difference. There are no other sizes that would work.

225/40 will be too stretched on the back and won't give me enough sidewall. It will be pretty much as stock.

225/45 will be too tall. 3.5% to be exact.

235/40 gives me additional sidewall and will have minimum stretch on back. This size is expensive. Winter Performance tires available only and again those are wider than 245/40 snow and ice tires. Thread width is about 9".

245/40 is +2.5% front and 2.8% rear. This size gives me a lot more sidewall for winter. Work for front and rear and neither will be stretched. Thread section is about 8".

criticalgt

Does anyone have any pictures with those tires?

dortok

I went to the tire shop yesterday and they recommended I go 225/40/18 all around. He said it would be no problem at all on the back and give the best traction. I'm no tire expert though so I'm just going by what he said. I also wanted to confirm that this will actually be fine on my car with stock fsport wheels, right?

CJW

iTrader: (1)

I'm running 225/40/18 all around. Looks fine. I don't think a touch more sidewall would hurt or look out of place though. We're talking a pretty small amount.

criticalgt

Ended up buying 235/40/18 as the deal was able to price match the less expensive tires (245/40)...

sunamer

i have (as a square winter setup) 225/45-17 instead of the original ones 255/35-18, 225/40-18. It is fine,

novaman64

Im running the same setup on my car, put on the General GMax AS-05 in that size a couple weeks ago when I switched over to a square setup. So far been extremely happy with it.

Checked the speed with my handheld GPS and its almost dead on at 80mph.

Mewannalex

I'm going to put 225/50/18s on staggered, I'll post up pics when I installed them next month.