Tire size for 2002 Protege ES

[LarryH]

What size are the tires supposed to be on the 2002 ES? Mine are 195/55-15, yet whenever I go to look at tires or wheels for it on line and check using the model and year, I end up looking at 195/50-16 tires or 16, 17 or 18" wheels.
Did Mazda ship some with 15" wheels and some with 16" wheels? Which do you have on your ES? If buying new wheels and tires, should I look at 16 or 17 inch instead of 15"? Also, if I did want to stay with 15" wheels, how do I know which ones will fit the car, since all the on-line companies only list the 16" or higher models?
Thanks for you help.

[Action Jackson]

Is your car the ES or ES with GT Package [16" wheels and upgraded suspension]?

[_jp]

my 02 ES stock with 195/50R16, came with the 16" alloy wheels. haven't heard anything about a "gt" pkg but 16" were stk on mine.

if you got to http://www.tirerack.com there is a nifty little chart there. if your select you make and year you will get a list for what model you have. if you select LX or DX it will show options for a 15" rim. if you select maz, 02, protege, es is will list the 16"

are the 2nd, 3rd or 10th owner? if you go to a dealership and give them your VIN they can give you or look at whats called a build sheet. it will list everything that was on your car from the factory floor. to me it sounds like someone swapped wheels on yours. every 02 ES person ive talked to has the 16" rim.

as for what "should" you run. hell that all depends on you. if you want to get 16" rims there are tires out there for 60-200 a piece depending on your driving style. if you want bling from what ive seen there are several options for the 17" rims but im not sure about an 18" rim, not into bling.

jp

[cbcbd]

For questions on model info I always consult theMAN's Protege FAQ... it has all


http://web2.airmail.net/theman/protegefaq/

[LarryH]

Thanks for your replies. My Protege is the ES without the GT package. If I get new tires in the spring, I'll get 195/50R16's instead of the 195/55R15's that came with the car.
My snows are 55R15's, which is probably a bit better for winter tracktion.
Larry.

[solid_snake]

2002 Protege ES wheels

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/evox/stills/gallery/611_42.jpg

[protegerider18]

What is this GT package I see all the time? What does it consist of?

[solid_snake]

What is this GT package I see all the time? What does it consist of?

I think it is a package for the canadian ES that consists of improved suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, spoiler, fog lights

[LarryH]

Not sure about the suspension components. But wheels like in Solid Snakes pic above and 195/50-16 tires, instead of 195/55-15. 4 wheel discs and spoiler. (fog lights came with the regular ES). GT package also included a sun roof.
If I could have bought the ES with the nice wheels, 195/50-16 tires and additional rear disc brakes and not have had to spend for the sun roof and spoiler, I would have done it. With the sun roof as part of the package, it was just too much of an increase in cost over the regular ES.
Larry