Question about Snow Tires Sizing for the Vibe

[smurfy]

Alright, this one's kind of an odd request... We have two cars in our household, a 2003 corolla and a 2004 Vibe... I bought the vibe partly to "standardize" the repair/parts purchase on the two cars (i.e. same filters, strut bars, sway bars, tranny fluids, engine parts, etc).WHile the two cars share many parts, they have different sizes for the tires and wheels. I am currently in the market to buy snow tires, and figure I should try to find a set that will fit EITHER car (in case we decide to sell one of the cars, I can still keep the snow tires)... Why am I buying snow tires in September you ask? Becasue it is a hell of alot cheaper than buying them in December! Anyhow, the original tire size for the corolla is 185/65/R15 (with 195/65/R15 as optional tires on the "S" model)The original tire size on the Vibe is 205/55/R15I've done a comparision of the diameters, and the 195/65/15 sizing seems to have more or less the same diameter as the current vibe tires... Can i get the 195/65/15 snow tires, and use them for EITHER car??? or should i get the 205/60/15, which seems to have a similar diamter as well?Also, can someone tell me if the basic 15" steel wheels on the corolla will fit onto the Vibe? Do the two vehicles have the same brake calipers and rotors? Will the 15" have enough clearance on the inside to fit over the Vibe's brake rotors?Thank you in advance for any help!

[Altus]

I do believe the stock size for base Vibes is 205/55 R16 - no? Is on mine...Many people have gone to smaller steelies for winter, and 195/65 R15 tires/wheels fit just fine.The Vibe and the Corrolla are basically the same car, so it should work just fine. 195/65 R15 looks like your magic number.

[vibe-04]

Yes: The 195/65 R15 will work and save you a lot of money. The are slightly more narrow and a hair smaller in overall size. They will clear the caliper and fit the wheelwell. You will/may need replacement nuts if you have the 16" Vibe alloy wheels and are going with steelies. Always store your tires upright, not on their side or else the sidewall may get deformed.CheersAndrew

[smurfy]

Sorry, you are right, the factory tires on my vibe are 205/55/R16I have 16" steelies, will the existing nuts fit for the 15" steelies? any advice on a good brand/model of tires for the 195/65/15 snow tires?

[Mavrik]

15" steel rims should accept the same lug as your 16" steel rims.

[vibe-04]

You can use nuts from 16" steelies to 15" but I don't reccommend using the 16" alloy nuts on steel wheels.The stock alloy nuts have a very short engagement angle compared to replacements which translates into less contact bite: i.e. hold. They use a flat plate to mate to the wheel. This short angle is componded with the cold weather and slush could have the nuts come loose. Also, the alloys stick out more which looks cheap and I also don't want them to rust. I'm not sure about the thread depth either. Anyway, for $20 it was worth getting replacements.The stock alloy wheel nuts are on the left and the winter steelies are on the right. Look at the rust on the rim. That's one year's of salt and snow. Salt sucks Andrew