I have 2008 Mazda 3 i Touring 2.0L with no TPMS and 17" aluminum wheels. I'd like to put a set of steel wheels and winter tires on. 15" steel wheels fit an 2007 3i but are not offered for the 2008 3i on Tire Rack. Only 15" and 16" aluminums and 16' steels are. The 2007 3i lists the exact same 15" and 16" wheels on Tire Rack, plus 15" and 16" steel wheels are offered whereas the 2008 3i only offers 15" aluminum or 16" steel wheels. The calipers are shown as being the same part number on Rock Auto and the front rotors as shown with a 10.94" diameter / 5 bolt. I know there is a clearance issue with Mazda 3's with the 2.3L since the rotors are 11.81" diameter / 5 Bolt. The 15" steel wheels and tire end up being about $140 cheaper than 15" aluminum or 16" steels sets so it would be nice to go that route. Any help is appreciated.
2008 Mazda 3 i Touring Winter Steel Wheels
- Thread starter jjlash
- Start date
I did call them. The sales person said he only shows 16" steels for it and cannot guarentee the fit / clearance so essentially you buy them oh well. There were so many different versions of the 3 this year with the value series they are probably going this route to be safe. Tried to reach the dealer but have not been able to get through to the service department.
I did contact the Mazda dealer and spoke with the parts department. The 15" steel wheel, PN# 9965P26050, is the same for 07 and 08 for the 2.0L Mazda 3. The rotors are also the same size / PN#. I also verifed this on the http://www.waynemazdafactoryparts.com/ site. So I think I'm going to take a shot at the 15" steels on the Tire Rack.
Rim size reductions like this for winter tires are usually offset by a taller tire so there should be no drop in the car. Remember for winter tires, the taller the sidewall and the narrow the tread face , the better for traction in snow, wet and ice.
A 195-65-15 is very close to the 17 on your car, only
0.361% too fast. THat isn't enough to notice.
Here is a good tire size calculator for future reference.
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
Clifton
0.361% too fast. THat isn't enough to notice.
Here is a good tire size calculator for future reference.
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
Clifton
Yeah, the 16" wheels with P205/55QR16 tires are imperceptibly different than the stock ones - I've got them on my car for winter on 16" steel wheels I got from the Tire rack.
Note that you can't put the TPMS sensor on the steelies, so every time you start the car the TPMS light blinks a few times then remains on. You can get the sensor for alloys, but I like the look of steelies for winter and they are cheaper too!
Note that the back of my car is down a bit here, but I have a heavy load in it in this pic.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L3swA2fvYQU_f03yZTqqrQ?feat=directlink
Note that you can't put the TPMS sensor on the steelies, so every time you start the car the TPMS light blinks a few times then remains on. You can get the sensor for alloys, but I like the look of steelies for winter and they are cheaper too!
Note that the back of my car is down a bit here, but I have a heavy load in it in this pic.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L3swA2fvYQU_f03yZTqqrQ?feat=directlink
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