Skinniest Tires For 93 Rears

Sh0ty · 11-15-2009, 11:30 PM

Title says it all, what are the thinnest tires I can run in the rear on stock 7 inch wheels? I'm looking to get a set of winter tires and can't find anything with 225/50 or 215/55.

RePete · 11-16-2009, 12:18 AM

What about 205/50s, 195/55?

Sh0ty · 11-17-2009, 08:45 PM

It'd actually end up being 205/55, since the sidewall number is a ratio, not a direct measurement.

EL PAALO · 11-18-2009, 11:02 AM

lots of choices in 195/55 15 and 195/60 15, both of which are close enough to stock OD.

Sh0ty · 11-18-2009, 11:36 PM

Are they safe to mount on 7 inch wheels? I was looking at a pair of 205/60/15s, and they're just a bit bigger in OD.

etc… · 11-18-2009, 11:56 PM

General makes the Arctic Altimax in a 195/55-15 which has a 23.4" diameter and the 195/60-15 which has a 24.2" diameter, both of which will fit on a 7" wide wheel.

The stock sizes are 195/55-15 and 225/50-15 which have diameters of 23.4" and 23.9", respectively.

So, I would recommend the 195/55-15. The Arctic Altimax is very similar in tread design to the Gislaved NordFrost 3. Continental bought Gislaved and then also General, so it makes sense that the tire is being a re-branded. The tire is studdable if your state laws permit.

Sh0ty · 11-19-2009, 12:50 AM

I was looking at a set of Yokohama Ice Guard IG20s in 195/55/15 F and 205/60/15 R. They seem to have really positive reviews and come from a brand I like (also, I don't want too much stretch on the tire, so 205 is a little more comfortable for me).

EL PAALO · 11-19-2009, 09:21 AM

then do that.

etc… · 11-19-2009, 10:31 AM

First, consider that a studdable snow tire, whether studded or not, typically will last 3-4 winter seasons and a studless 1-2 winter seasons.

Second, consider the handling. With the Acrtic Altimax, you will have the same size and speed rating front and rear, i.e. Q. With the Yoko's, you will have a T rated 55 series in the front and a R rated 60 series in the rear, whereas the OEM sizing has a 55 series in the front and 50 series in the rear. The 205/60-15 has a 24.7" diameter, it certainly will fill up the rear wheel arches more, but it won't improve dry or snow handling. If you prefer the Yoko studless tire, why not go with 195/55-15's on all four corners. Hankook might make the IceBear W300 in a 195/55-15 that would have a V or Z rating, which would make driving in the dry much more fun.

kbrew8991 · 11-19-2009, 06:08 PM

I ran 195s on 14x7s before, it looks a little goofy but it works fine

11-15-2009, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sh0ty Armchair Racer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,273 Thanks: 22 Thanked 57 Times in 54 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Skinniest Tires For 93 Rears Title says it all, what are the thinnest tires I can run in the rear on stock 7 inch wheels? I'm looking to get a set of winter tires and can't find anything with 225/50 or 215/55.

11-18-2009, 11:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
EL PAALO Wheels make the car. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 2,671 Thanks: 4 Thanked 86 Times in 82 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	lots of choices in 195/55 15 and 195/60 15, both of which are close enough to stock OD. __________________ WHEELSPECS.COM - a ridiculous number of wheel pics & links

11-19-2009, 10:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
etc… Some Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	First, consider that a studdable snow tire, whether studded or not, typically will last 3-4 winter seasons and a studless 1-2 winter seasons. Second, consider the handling. With the Acrtic Altimax, you will have the same size and speed rating front and rear, i.e. Q. With the Yoko's, you will have a T rated 55 series in the front and a R rated 60 series in the rear, whereas the OEM sizing has a 55 series in the front and 50 series in the rear. The 205/60-15 has a 24.7" diameter, it certainly will fill up the rear wheel arches more, but it won't improve dry or snow handling. If you prefer the Yoko studless tire, why not go with 195/55-15's on all four corners. Hankook might make the IceBear W300 in a 195/55-15 that would have a V or Z rating, which would make driving in the dry much more fun. Last edited by etc…; 11-19-2009 at 10:44 AM..

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11-16-2009, 12:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
RePete No Frills Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Western Canada Posts: 3,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 254 Times in 244 Posts Blog Entries: 4 iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	What about 205/50s, 195/55?

11-17-2009, 08:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sh0ty Armchair Racer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,273 Thanks: 22 Thanked 57 Times in 54 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	It'd actually end up being 205/55, since the sidewall number is a ratio, not a direct measurement.

11-18-2009, 11:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sh0ty Armchair Racer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,273 Thanks: 22 Thanked 57 Times in 54 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Are they safe to mount on 7 inch wheels? I was looking at a pair of 205/60/15s, and they're just a bit bigger in OD.

11-18-2009, 11:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
etc… Some Skills Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	General makes the Arctic Altimax in a 195/55-15 which has a 23.4" diameter and the 195/60-15 which has a 24.2" diameter, both of which will fit on a 7" wide wheel. The stock sizes are 195/55-15 and 225/50-15 which have diameters of 23.4" and 23.9", respectively. So, I would recommend the 195/55-15. The Arctic Altimax is very similar in tread design to the Gislaved NordFrost 3. Continental bought Gislaved and then also General, so it makes sense that the tire is being a re-branded. The tire is studdable if your state laws permit.

11-19-2009, 12:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sh0ty Armchair Racer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,273 Thanks: 22 Thanked 57 Times in 54 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I was looking at a set of Yokohama Ice Guard IG20s in 195/55/15 F and 205/60/15 R. They seem to have really positive reviews and come from a brand I like (also, I don't want too much stretch on the tire, so 205 is a little more comfortable for me).

11-19-2009, 09:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
EL PAALO Wheels make the car. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 2,671 Thanks: 4 Thanked 86 Times in 82 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	then do that.

11-19-2009, 06:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
kbrew8991 gimme some turns Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,685 Thanks: 76 Thanked 82 Times in 70 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/100% )	I ran 195s on 14x7s before, it looks a little goofy but it works fine