Winter tire and wheel package question

[Ridgerunr]

Just picked my first ever Mazda, a 2008 CX9 GT, AWD. I always like to put on winter tires, we have nasty winters here in Wisconsin, went to tire racks web site, and they put a package together that they recommend, and it was a 17" wheel and tire. As you know I currently have 20" wheels. Do you think that would work O.K. In the past I always just used my factory wheels and had the tires changed spring and fall, this time I figured I would spend a little more for wheels to. Thanks for your input.
Bob

 

[Scott91370]

As long as the wheels will clear the brakes and the overall size of the combination is the same everything will be fine.

 

[eskimo0101]

Plug in your stock size and the size they're recommending:

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.do

Since it's their job to pick something close I'm sure the overall diameter will be really close but never hurts to double check. Base CX-9's came with 18's and the CX-9 has always been an under-performer when it comes to brakes so I'm not surprised a 17 would clear the brake rotor. That's going to be a tiny looking rim on a car as big as the CX-9 though, especially when you're used to looking at the 20's.

Not sure if you checked Discount Tire but they generally beat Tire Rack's to your door price by a decent amount. I've ordered LOTS of tires from them over the years (autocrosser/track day guy) and their service is top not.

Here's the winter packages they have using my 2012 that was already stored on their site, but it would be the same for your 08.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...gesBySize.do?yr=2012&type=wt&rd=17&vid=021951

 

[Rawyzf]

I went 18 as well, but 17 is doable. Link in my Sig for setup.

 

[scrawd]

I run 20's in the spring/summer/fall and 17's in the winter. No trouble at all.

Bought mine new last Dec and put the 17's on it with 400 miles. I bought the tire rack package with TPMS and have zero complaints.

Good Luck

 

[Ridgerunr]

A friend of mine just gave me a set of 17 x 7 inch wheels that fit my cx9. So that should save me some coin, so now just need tires. Looking at General altramax artic tires .

 

[Ridgerunr]

I got some TPMS on eBay for $59, General Altramax artic tires from Tirebuyer, just need to find some time to put them on the 9.

 

[sjg]

the CX-9 has always been an under-performer when it comes to brakes so I'm not surprised a 17 would clear the brake rotor.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...gesBySize.do?yr=2012&type=wt&rd=17&vid=021951

Comparison tests put the CX-9 braking distance right around the top of the 3 row CUV class.

17s might look a little small but you'll appreciate the ride quality vs. the 20s. I avoided the GT specifically to get the 18s on mine.

If you get the wheel/tire combo you'll spend more now but save on remounting over time. You'll also need to pony up for an additional set of TPMS sensors but that might pay off as they tend to get damaged during tire swaps anyway.