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How To Determine The Right
Size Of Your Winter Tire
Winter tire sizes are different. I think everyone knows
that. But what you may not know is which is the right size
for your car. So, what do you look for in terms of winter
tire size? This is a small guide that may help you out.
Go Narrow
When choosing the winter tire size for your vehicle, go
with a narrow tire. The wider a tire, the more it works like
a plow. A narrow tire can go through snow much easier than a
larger snow tire that is busy plowing snow for the cars
behind you.
Go Optional
Instead of getting the standard tire size that your
owner's manual recommends, go with the optional size. All
cars have an optional tire size. This is usually the easiest
way to get the right tire size for winter tires.
Go Minus
Some people like to do what's called plus sizing. Plus
sizing is where you get a larger diameter wheel than your
original tire. But this is not always a good option for a
winter tire. Instead "minus size." This is where you get a
smaller diameter wheel for you car. But if you do "minus
size" keep a couple of rules of thumb in mind.
- If you own a car, you should stay within three
percent of the original tire height. Usually this is up
to three-fourths of an inch smaller.
- A fifteen percent decrease is okay for SUVs,
pickups, and vans. But you should check with your
vehicle dealer on this.
These are some ways to determine the size of a winter
tire. An added feature to going optional and going minus is
that you can save a little money. Smaller sizes tend to cost
less than larger sizes. So, keep that in mind as well.
Here's a great online merchant where you'll be able to
find the
ideal snow tire for your driving conditions at a great price.
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