Snow/Winter Tires and sidewall

[lejjasie]

The NA or the GT both sort of have a low profile summer tires. I wonder if i have to go the same tire size for my 2006 2.5i. I don't mind the 17" but do i have to have the same sidewall? Can i not have the thicker sidewall tires that fit a same thickness of tire (17") and the same bolt pattern 5X100. I hope i am making sense.

Please share thoughts.
Gary.

[whitetiger]

for 17" legacy wheels, 205/50/17 would be the best size for winter tires, and the tallest side wall you should run.

[Vimy101]

for 17" legacy wheels, 205/50/17 would be the best size for winter tires, and the tallest side wall you should run.

For winter I run 215/50/17 to match the OEM Spec.B circumfirence. They're just slighty smaller than OEM. Pump 'em up a little and they work just fine. Nice to have a little extra sidewall for pothole season.

[lejjasie]

hmm i was hoping to get a larger sidewall too. Ideally i'd want narrow wheels (16") for better traction but since that's not possible i would want to get at least larger tire. Also i don't think i wanna over-inflate a tire in snow (to the pump 'em up comment).

[Vimy101]

^ Don't go over 40psi and you're good to go. The idea with road snow conditions is that you want the tire to punch down through the snow to increase friction rather than having a wide tire that rides on top.