Winter tyres on alloys or steels

chrisfreelander54

Looking at getting winter tyres after getting stranded last winter, the problem I have is do I buy tyres to put on my alloys 195/45/16 or buy a set of 15 inch steel wheels with tyres.

Also as regards to tyres on the 15 inch steels what size would I need?

Regards
Chris.

tberry6686

If I had only one set of wheels I would get another set of steels to make changing over eisier. As far as tyre sizes go, have a look at your cars handbook. Should tell you in there.

BeenThroughItAll

Worth also making sure that 15in wheels will fit. Don't assume they'll fit your particular car just because they're available for the model, different brake calipers or suspension can mean fitting isn't as straightforward as that.

westwood68

http://www.carlsalter.com/all-wheel-fitments.html

Cars that have the same measurements as yours would be fine. e.g. I got a set of pug 306 wheels for my old Xantia because they were going cheap.

Gloomendoom

Another option would be to fit the tyres on to a second set of standard alloys. Second hand, they may be cheaper than steels.

chrisfreelander54

westwood68 wrote: »

http://www.carlsalter.com/all-wheel-fitments.html

Cars that have the same measurements as yours would be fine. e.g. I got a set of pug 306 wheels for my old Xantia because they were going cheap.

Thanks for the feedback, I understand the P.C.D part as mine are 4x108, but don't know what ET or C.B means, any idea?

BeenThroughItAll

chrisfreelander54 wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, I understand the P.C.D part as mine are 4x108, but don't know what ET or C.B means, any idea?

ET is offset - measurement of mm between midline of the rim, and the inner hub face.

CB is centre bore - measurement of the hole in the middle of the rim. Needs to be identical to or bigger than the current wheels. If it's bigger, fit hub-centric rings to ensure you don't introduce wheel-wobble.

Also, harping on about it - MAKE SURE the diameter you choose will fit your particular car, not just the model.

Slowly_does_it..

ET = Offset = how far into or away from the car the wheel sits.
(Too far one way, your wheels will press against the suspension, too far the other way, your wheels will stick out the side of the car)

C.B. = Center Bore = the diameter of the hole in the middle of the rim and the diameter of the ring on your wheel hubs.

I found http://www.wheel-size.com/size/ very useful

Second vote for finding second set of alloys, set for me cost £50.

Iceweasel

Here's a helpful website where you can find info for the wheels on most makes of car.

http://www.wheelfitment.net/

Check what your original wheels are and then see if there are any other vehicles with exactly the same PCD, ET and Centre Bore.

rob7475

have a look at http://www.mytyres.co.uk

If you put your car details in they will tell you what size wheels are available that will fit your car.

I bought 4 winter tyres on steel wheels for my megane last year and it was much cheaper to get 15" wheels than 16" (about £150 cheaper if I remember correctly).

It's loads easier to have the winter tyres put on a spare set of rims and just swap them over when it starts getting cold (i did mine at end of November last year and changed back in March).

I can highly recommend the vredestein snowtrac 3's. I was driving my car up hills with 4 inch of snow last year with no problems. Just don't forget - although you get extra grip, you still need to drive more carefully in snow/ice.

Thanks

OddballJamie

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Another option would be to fit the tyres on to a second set of standard alloys. Second hand, they may be cheaper than steels.

Agree, I've seen some proper bargain OEM alloys recently go on Ebay, some work out cheaper than refurbing a current set.