anyone with 215/50/17 on stock wheels?

[willy65000]

Seems as though there aren't many options for tires in the stock size. I'd like something better for the snow. Is anyone running 215/50's on the stock wheels? I was looking at the Bf Goodrich Traction TA.

[JOS3]

i have 215/50/17's on my summer wheels

[MidnightSpeeder]

215/50's will cause your speedo to be off somewhat. Furthermore, I have heard that a narrower tire would be best in winter. You'd be better off with 215/45.

[dnale]

The "215" portion of the tire size is the width. So a 215/50 and a 215/45 are going to have very close to the same width (should be 215mm if memory serves me right.) The 50 or 45 is the ratio of the side wall to the width.

[goldwing2000]

215/50's will cause your speedo to be off somewhat. Furthermore, I have heard that a narrower tire would be best in winter.

The "215" portion of the tire size is the width. So a 215/50 and a 215/45 are going to have very close to the same width (should be 215mm if memory serves me right.) The 50 or 45 is the ratio of the side wall to the width.

Both correct. If you want to go with a tire that's narrower than stock, you'd have to get a 195. There's another thread on here somewhere where I posted 195 width tires from a few different manufacturers that will work with our cars.

[JOS3]

215/50's will cause your speedo to be off somewhat. Furthermore, I have heard that a narrower tire would be best in winter. You'd be better off with 215/45.

yes, but not by much. if i remember corrdctly, it is .8 miles @ 60mph. so if your speedo says you are going 60, you are actually doing closer to 61mph. not a big deal.

[goldwing2000]

yes, but not by much. if i remember corrdctly, it is .8 miles @ 60mph. so if your speedo says you are going 60, you are actually doing closer to 61mph. not a big deal.

True again. Upon checking, you're actually better off with a 45 than a 50. The 215/50 reads 1.8% fast while the 215/45 read 1.6% slow.

Better still is the 225/45 but that's not going to help you in the snow. :D

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[goldwing2000]

Found my post with the 195 winters:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2004182&postcount=30

[Gambino]

I just found this thread......I never knew skinnier tires were better in winter driving. I would guess just the opposite but oh well. So would I be better switching back to my 205's on my stock 16's instead of my 225's I have on right now?

[MidnightSpeeder]

tphskab - Yeah it will.. at least you don't have to worry if you hit one of your rims in the snow.

[tsunami]

thinner is better cause you "cut" through the snow instead of plowing it.... deffinatly put your stockers back on... with some different tires if you can afford it...

[sl0wthe0ry]

im runnin some 215/45/17 Kuhmo Ecsta ASX's on mine. pretty much the same heighth, just a bit wider. not much but the tires are nice

[PR5Matt]

True again. Upon checking, you're actually better off with a 45 than a 50. The 215/50 reads 1.8% fast while the 215/45 read 1.6% slow.

Better still is the 225/45 but that's not going to help you in the snow. :D

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

I'd like to run 225s on the stock rims on my wife's car, but would like to see someone else try it first...(drive)