Snow Tires

[Mary]

Has anyone been able to use a 15" rim on their Vibe? Is there enough clearance on the rotors?

[Sub-Vibe-R]

This question been asked severasl times in other post and the answer is yes.15" rims fit on the Vibe. Vibe, Matrix and Corolla use the same brake/caliper and Corolla is built with standard 15" rims.I personally bough 15" rims to put my Blizzack winter tire on.For 15" rims, the best size is 195/65R15.

[RIT]

I agree 100% with your logic and thinking, but please explain why in the Matrix parts list do they list a different front rotor depending on whether you use a 15" steel wheel, or a 16" alloy.I'm hoping to find someone that HAS put one on, not just speculation.Sorry, but I don't want to waste my money ordering 15"ers whne they won't fit. BTW - Tire Rack is not sure if the 15" will fit.

[NovaResource]

quote:I agree 100% with your logic and thinking, but please explain why in the Matrix parts list do they list a different front rotor depending on whether you use a 15" steel wheel, or a 16" alloy.Where are you looking? AFAIK, the Matrix isn't available from the factory with 15" steel wheels.

[Cubanpete]

I also so in Manualls at Costco and Wallmart 15" wheels and tires for Vibe/Matrix. Wouldnt those type of tires screwup something in the computer system of the car, as factory specs are being played with here?

[Fritzburg]

Aspect ratio my friend, you have to increase the size of the side wall if you reduce the diameter of the rim.

[Cubanpete]

Salsa.........My came with 17" from the Factory, would not that be an issue somewhat?

[Cubanpete]

salsaHow are the 19565R15 tires.........is the ride good, have you seen any abnormalities with the vehicle since the change?

[935684]

A 15" rim that works on the Vibe has a part number of 99130.Salsa, I couldn't afford the Hakkas that I originally planned to get. So, reluctantly, I opted for the Kumho Izen KW-11. I wanted a narrower tire, so I went to 195/65/15. Unfortunately, the KW-11 isn't available in a 185/70/15, or I'd have gone that route.In any case, they cost me C$87 each + GST + PST (Ontario), installed and balanced. The steel wheels cost C$50 apiece, plus tax, and a set of 4 nice looking hubcaps cost an additional C$48 plus tax. The grand total came to C$685.40.The quality isn't as good as I hoped for, but it's all I could afford.Of course, all our snow has now melted. Sadly, we'll soon have lots more in which to play.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

quote:Great.... One other Vibe that will safely make it through our canadian winterI have some trouble with poeple who sez 4 seasons tire are ok for our winter. No 4 season tire can be better then a winter tire.

[Cubanpete]

That is 100% correct!

[VibeSalsa]

I agree with all of you: We have to put snow tires on a car in winter.There's a link to a Tire Size Calculator if you want to downsize your rims like some of our friends have done: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html It's from a Miata fans site...

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Try this site too: http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htmVery nice when time to compare 2 tires or thinking upgrading wheels

[bouleric]

Hey All, Long time lurker, first time poster. Put me on the list of those who have snow-buns on their Vibe. It handled fine on stock tires in the nice little snow appearance a week and a half ago, but now I'm much happier knowing that it's *ready*.For those in the Ottawa area, I got them at the dealership for a good price. 4 rims and Arctic Alpins for about $50/rim and ~$97 per tire. Compared to the price of ~$179 per tire they were asking when I walked in the door for 16" 205s, I'm REALLY happy.BTW, got the bug deflector at the same time that I was there. They've still got one or two of them. Apparently it's the GM Accessory that got dropped due to contract problems between the manufacturer and GM. Works really well - doesn't interfere with nozzle spray.Cheers, Marc

[Cubanpete]

What size did you get??? Costco had the alpines for 80.00 a tire! and rims at 40.00!

[bouleric]

Hey Salsa!, It's Turpin on Carling. I really didn't expect to be buying premium tires at a dealership for fear of paying premium prices, but hey, maybe they've realized that they can't bleed everyone dry before the rest of us figure out that we can get this stuff cheaper elsewhere.Apparently the deflector they've got (still one in stock, IIRC) was destined to be the GM accessory that's shown in the Vibe Accessories booklet, but due to some contracts falling through for one reason or another, that plan got squashed. Hurry and get it while it's still available was the word from the service slave (not the parts manager).I haven't verified this story with any other sources, nor have I even had the time to compare it's lines to the one in the pamphlet. When I get home next week, I'll take a closer look and let you know.Cheers, Marc

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I put my 15" winter tire this morning. Works very well, no problem. My winter tire (Good Year Ultra grip) are by far much better then the poor Continental in winter condition. Continetal tire are more a 3 seasons tire but they do not perform very well in snow and on ice. All depend of your winter, but here in Quebec, 4 seasons tire are not enough to pass through the winter without problem and in security­

[Sputnik]

Okay so I might bite the bullet and buy some winter tires. But I need help... seriously. Why is everyone putting on 15"? Can't you just put 16 winters on your existing rims?

[VibeSalsa]

quote: Why is everyone putting on 15"? Many of the people who puts winter tire on 15" rims do that because they have aluminum wheels and they don't want to keep them on during winter bad conditions with all we can find on the roads (sand, salt, mud, and whatever else....) All of this is not very good for alunimum. Also, with 15" tires, you are not obliged to take 205 wide. You can reduce it and it can be better to enter in the heavy snow. Another reason, the 15" tires are cheaper than 16" but you have to buy steel rims.quote: Can't you just put 16 winters on your existing rims? Yes and it's what I did. You can see a pic of my car with winter tire and molded splash guards here. At spring, maybe I will buy aftermarket alunimum wheels to put on my Vibe.

[Sputnik]

Thanks for the info and pic vibesalsa! I have the aluminum wheels, and they will be on all winter. I might go get some 16inch snow tires for them though.

[VibeSalsa]

You're welcome Sputnik!

[VibeSalsa]

Pis là, nos deux «chars» vont être identiques... LOLNon mais ça pourrait être une possibilité tout comme les roues mags au printemps...

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Pour ma Vibe, j'ai pensé à une teinte qui tire sur le gold ou bronze, un peu comme sur les SUV Lexus.Salsa!, est-ce que c'est ça que tu as fait mettre sur la tienne?

[Toyotaman]

Great comments as far as I understood, up to the french parts. It sounds interesting though.

[MadBill]

Hmmm... I really liked the ratings on The Tire Rack site of the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2, (better than Blizzak WS-50 in everything but snow, and then only a tick behind) but I can't find any in Canada, and imported by my tire store will cost $120 ea. That's $160 more than some of you paid. Decisions, decisions...

[d_m_kolb]

Ok since the majority of members speak and read english can we please keep the topic in english so all members can see what being said.As for the Canadain forums your welcome to speak whatever language you perfer as long as it stays under control.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

Sorry for all those English speaking people. We went a little bit off topic. We were talking about tinted windows (far from winter tire.....)