Impreza - Winter tyres

[wilbo83]

Just wondering what size winter tyres to put on my 17" winter alloys? Currently they have 215/45/17 (summer tyres) but have read somewhere that it is best to go for the thinnest tyres possible?

[ScoobieWRX]

Stick to what you've got unless you potentially want to give your insurance company a possible excuse to raise your premiums.

Winter tyres are a great idea and will give you fantastic traction on the move and better stopping power on the slippery stuff. Better to do if you have a spare set of rims though to chuck them on.

I have to say though, I've run my scoob in the winter ice and deep snow on Toyo, Pirelli, Bridgestone and Michelin summer tyres without even the slightest hint of getting stuck or not being able to stop well enough.

See what your insurance company says.

[wilbo83]

At the moment I have Pirelli P Zero’s on but they probably have about 3-4mm of tread left (on a set of Inovit Tarmacs which I picked up cheap for the winter) so was thinking these may not be ideal and plenty of other threads to support the positive’s of winter tyres.

Good point about insurance.

[Munter]

wilbo83 said:

At the moment I have Pirelli P Zero’s on but they probably have about 3-4mm of tread left (on a set of Inovit Tarmacs which I picked up cheap for the winter) so was thinking these may not be ideal and plenty of other threads to support the positive’s of winter tyres.

Good point about insurance.

My take on it is that it's a read the manual moment. If the manual suggests a different size for winters. Go with that. If it doesn't then stick with your current size.

[wilbo83]

Munter said:

My take on it is that it's a read the manual moment. If the manual suggests a different size for winters. Go with that. If it doesn't then stick with your current size.

Checked the manual, it advises to go with the same size so 215/45/17 it is, going to get them ordered tomorrow.

[wilbo83]

BTTT. Anyone know what load index would be best? 87 or 91 XL?

[Steven Quas]

wilbo83 said:

BTTT. Anyone know what load index would be best? 87 or 91 XL?

This is very car-specific. I assume there is a plate inside the driver's door or fuel cap which tells you what is needed. The load index required can be different (higher) for winter tyres, presumably due to the pressure dropping further as the temperature drops so more sidewall support is required. I don't know for sure that this last point is correct so would welcome confirmation or correction.

Steven Quas
Hamburg

[fildigger]

Been doing a lot of research on winter tyres for my application ( Subaru Forester STi) i will be sticking with the OE size 225x45x18" currently on Bridgestone Potenza RE040's...my research for the best possible tyre for the best possible price (bare in mind, winter tyres are not only in short supply with regard to the less popular sizes but are ridiculously expensive!!)..

..My choice has been the Hankook w310 iCept EVO's (225x45x18)...i could only find One supplier in the whole country that had this tyre, in this size, and they were a Swedish based firm called Goodgrip.

https://www.goodgrip.co.uk/hankook-w310-icept-evo-...

Note the tyre came 5th (equal 3rd if you look at the points score! in the German Bild test...and up against Top premium brands)
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Hankook/Winter-i...

You can get this tyre in the 17" size you require, it is great value.