Smallest rim size

[labelle]

Hello,I am going to put winter tire on my Vibe GT and I am wondering what is the smallest rim size I can have. Do 14" rims will fit ??

[yank dini]

14's would look real weird

[NSimkins]

quote:Hey Labelle.... 14" wouldn't look good on a Vibe !I agree. Go with 15"... probably the most practical in this situation.See http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=869 for more discussions on winter rims.

[d_m_kolb]

13" would fit but why would you want to go so small and it would look like crap. I know some members are thinking about selling there stock 16" wheels. I'd buy them.Personally I don't know why anyone would want to change there wheels for the winter unless you have the 17" wheels since they don't have a all season tire on it.It's easy to take care of wheels in the winter if you want to. There are very good brands of tires and different tire types that would work great for good weather or bad weather. Then you wouldn't have to switch wheels and make your vehicle look like crap.

[NovaResource]

Just be sure the 15" rim clears the disc brake calipers. This may be the reason 16" wheels are standard. Many aftermarket brake companies require at least 16" wheels to clear their brakes. The Vibes original brakes may be similar so be sure to measure first. The front disc brakes on the Vibe are big in my opinion. Much larger than the discs on my Cavaliers and Sunbird which weigh about the same as the Vibe. The Vibes discs are almost as large as the discs on my Nova which weighs about 800-lbs more.

[d_m_kolb]

I'm in Northern KY but grew up in Illinios. Never had a problem and we at times get that kind of snow even being that far south from you. I never had to change out my wheels.If it ever got really bad I'd put on some tire chains I had purchased from Auto Zone. I never had any trouble with those on.I'm not trying to put anyone down for doing this. I'm just trying to understand spending the extra money for 4 more wheels and tires when there are cheaper ways to get around this and still be very safe.I don't live in Canada and haven't ever been lucky enough to visit yet but I can imagine how bad the winters are there.

[d_m_kolb]

So no one uses tirer chains or anything similar in Canada?

[d_m_kolb]

I was just curious. In the winter I use them if it gets bad enough and the U.S. Postal carriers use chains on there vehicles here in the winter, in town or not.

[Chris]

Just remember to try to keep the overall circumference the same as stock otherwise you'll mess up your speedo/odo readings. As well, speaking as one who owned a CRX with 13 inch tires, try to keep the circumfrance as large as possible as it makes driving on rough roads MUCH more comfy!!! Probably the best combo would be a small diameter rim with a high aspect ratio sidewall to provide a reasonable circumference.Oh yeah, as noted above, chains are a bad idea unless driving around completely unplowed roads. A really good set of winter tires will perform amazing feats!

[Sputnik]

I've never put winter tires on before and I'm not going to for the Vibe. My parents, who live out in the country, never put on winter tires either... and it takes them 30mins just to get to the city limits (not Ottawa).

[ShotInTheDark]

Snow? never heard of it LOL. If we get a 1/2 inch here good lord! Shut the city down! These people wouldn't know what to do if they had to drive in it more then once a year. Coming from the western part of the state to the ocean here was quite a change for me but I am quite glad not to have to drive in that forsaken stuff again.

[Frosty]

M. Salsa wrote:quote:I am going to downsize to 15" for the winter.... 195/65R15. Go to Canadian Tire or WalMart to find a cheap steel rim.....!I had great luck with Ice radials from Canadian Tire. They just happen to be on sale right now 15% off. Thought I would share my thinking on winter tires. Visit here for Transport Canada's Winter Tire recommendations. http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/Topics/w ... intere.htm However I noticed that the Goodyears on my base Vibe are rated M+S. but the Goodyear RSA or any Goodyear doesn't make the list of tires here http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/topics/w ... irlise.htm Goodyear's winter tires are listed here http://www.goodyear.ca/catalog/products/winter.html and the RSA isn't on Goodyear's list. Hmmmm. Better get the Ice Radials!

[VibeSalsa]

I don't have my Vibe yet (It will be built in the week of October 28) but I've already bought my set of winter tire. It can snow in the mid-November when I will receive my new car. My dealer will install them just in time for delivery...I bought the BF Goodrich Winter Slalom because I heard good comments about them from my friends last winter. My girlfriend have them installed on her Sunfire too. I test drove her car in my snowy street last January and they surprised me. They are a lot better than my Firestone Winterfire I had for the past 4 winters... I will never recommend them. They were as good as.... all seasons tires...Bye everybody and, for my friends of Canada here, have a good winter!!!
[Modified by vibesalsa, 9:50 PM 9/30/2002]

[mu_ohio]

I used a set of P225/70 R15 I think on my S-10 and they are barely 1/4 taller and I think I'm going to use those on my Vibe. Just need to find a set of rims. I would recommend going with 15" if you can, because the high side walls are nice in snowl

[NovaResource]

quote:However I noticed that the Goodyears on my base Vibe are rated M+S. but the Goodyear RSA or any Goodyear doesn't make the list of tires here http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/topics/w ... .htmThat's because the list you posted only includes specific winter tires rated for severe snow. The Good Year RS-A's are all-season tires that meet minimal mud and snow performance requirements.Bottom line: If you get lots of snow and/or ice, get specific snow tires. If you don't get lots of snow (like where I live) all-seasons will be fine.
[Modified by NovaResource, 9:21 AM 10/1/2002]

[baltimore17]

Quick, somebody with a Vibe Owners Manual, what's it say about tire chains? A lot of cars, especially with large tires, can't use chains as they won't clear the inner fenders and the manual should have words one way or the other. One of the guys I went to college with really flailed the sheet metal around his car's fender edges. Nice if you want that "I abuse my car" look in an instant.

[ullbergm]

quote:CAUTION:If your vehicle has P215/50ZR17 size tires, don’tuse tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.Tire chains used on a vehicle without the properamount of clearance can cause damage to thebrakes, suspension or other vehicle parts. Thearea damaged by the tire chains could cause youto lose control of your vehicle and you or othersmay be injured in a crash.Use another type of traction device only if itsmanufacturer recommends it for use on yourvehicle and tire size combination and roadconditions. Follow that manufacturer’sinstructions. To help avoid damage to yourvehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove thedevice if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’tspin your wheels.If you do find traction devices that will fit, installthem on the front tires for front-wheel-drivevehicles. If your vehicle has all-wheel drive,install traction devices on either the front tires orall four tires, but never on the rear tires only.quote:NOTICE:If your vehicle has P205/55R16 size tires, use tirechains only where legal and only when you must.Use only SAE Class “S” type chains that are theproper size for your tires. Install them on the fronttires, or for all-wheel-drive vehicles, the front or allfour (but never rear only) tires and tighten them astightly as possible with the ends securely fastened.Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’sinstructions. If you can hear the chains contactingyour vehicle, stop and retighten them. If thecontact continues, slow down until it stops. Drivingtoo fast or spinning the wheels with chains on willdamage your vehicle.

[mu_ohio]

quote:225 are very wide for winter, you'll lose alot of traction.....! Just my thoughts!I saw the Canadian Tire specials....going to buy some tonight....Sputnik, I never had winter tires, but saw some tests and now I am sure to put some on.... even at low speed a winter tire will stop you in less time than a 4 season tire and you'll accelerate faster also,,.,,Always depends on what you want to do,....but they are a good investment!I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but why do you feel that 225 are too wide? They where fine for my previous vehicle in the winder, though they where a little narrower. I noticed that the recommended size for BMWs for example is like 225/55r16. I just hate the thought of pitching snow tires and rims that have less than 2k on them.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I don`t have my Vibe yet. Should have it by the end of the year (according to my dealer) but I'm not sure I will get it in the time frame.I use to have winter tire on all my previous car. On my '92 Cavalier, I had Wintertrack tire with stud. Good grip n ice but very noisy when the road is clear.On my '01 Montana, I bough Bridgestone Blizzack. I never regert it.Nice grip on ice, very good in snow and very quiet.If I buy snow tire for my Vibe, I will go for Blizzack again.

[Frosty]

quote:I saw the Canadian Tire specials....going to buy some tonight....!Got mine, 205/55-16 Ice Tracs, last four at my store. The four of them fit behind the seats in the trunk area. Looked cool in the rear view mirror. Will get them installed on the stock rims when the snow flies to save them for the nasty stuff. The Goodyears will go on a set of alloy's in the spring. Scott: Agree with you on the RSA's. We can plow through 6 inch drifts on a good day up here, we need the safety of good tires.

[millster]

Figure I'll bring this thread back since it relates to a question I have. I found a set of wheels from a Toyota Corolla (2003). They're 15 inch with 195 65/15 rubber. The bold pattern is obviously the same as our cars, so would there be any reason to think they won't fit? I'm not really wanting to go through winter with my 17s, but with money kind of tight, these seem like a good option if they'll fit.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:Figure I'll bring this thread back since it relates to a question I have. I found a set of wheels from a Toyota Corolla (2003). They're 15 inch with 195 65/15 rubber. The bold pattern is obviously the same as our cars, so would there be any reason to think they won't fit? I'm not really wanting to go through winter with my 17s, but with money kind of tight, these seem like a good option if they'll fit.That's what I have for winter tire. 195 65/15 and it fit perfectly.

[millster]

quote:That's what I have for winter tire. 195 65/15 and it fit perfectly.Cool. And these wheels should be the same size as yours right? 15x6 inch? I guess I'll have to put a bid in and see if I get them.

[drunkenmaxx]

ah, i love awd, kept the crappy contis on mine and we got almost a foot of snow last year. one time, i slid off the road into a field, i just kept on going and drove back onto the road.

[aggie_vibe]

Just move South. We stay home if it snows!