Size for winter tires

[Spyros and Christine Triantos]

This will be my first winter here in the Northeast of the US driving a
Subaru OBW. The car came with all season tires that are 225/60R16. I have
been looking at winter tire options for this car on Tirerack.com and they
recommend the same size. The car manual, however, recommends 215/60R16. The
choice of tires at that size is much more limited. I contacted tirerack.com
and they replied indicating that 225 would be fine.
Any experience from Subaru owners using 225/60R16 winter tires would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, ST.

 

[Edward Hayes]

More important that all four be the same size, manufacture and model. ed

 

[Robert Baratono]

This will be my first winter here in the Northeast of the US driving a
Subaru OBW. The car came with all season tires that are 225/60R16. I have
been looking at winter tire options for this car on Tirerack.com and they
recommend the same size. The car manual, however, recommends 215/60R16. The
choice of tires at that size is much more limited. I contacted tirerack.com
and they replied indicating that 225 would be fine.
Any experience from Subaru owners using 225/60R16 winter tires would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, ST.

I've got 225/60R16 Michelin Artic Alpins (snows) on my 2000 OBW. They
come pretty close to the "mud flaps" behind the front tires at
full-lock, but don't actually rub. They do tend to pack the snow up
in the wheel-wells, but all tires do that to some extent.

I live on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula (200-300" inches of snow a
year) -- The Alpin has proven to be an excellent winter tire,
especially on hard-packed snow and ice. You'll get lots of folks
recommending going to a much narrower tire for winter use (to "cut"
through the snow). This may be a valid argument in really deep snow
(over several inches), but on hard-pack and ice (where probably 90% of
my winter driving is done) I want as much bloomin' sticky rubber
hitting the ground that I can get... Note that most snow tires
(including the Alpins) are only "Q" speed rated rather that the OEM
tire's "H" rating. So, try to stay under 99 MPH on the snow...

You'll probably find that any of the true "snow" tires don't handle
quite as well as the stiffer summer tires with a higher speed rating.
The Alpins were pretty "twitchy" when new, but seem to have
settled-down after the first winter. They also tend to "sing" a bit
on wet pavement -- not really objectionable.

This will be my 4th winter on the Alpins and they are probably less
than half worn. My only complaint is that they are getting very
noisy. Wheel alignment has been checked several times and is right on
the money, so I'm not sure what's up with the Michelins. I'd
seriously consider Nokians or perhaps Bridgestone Blizzaks next time
around (although the Blizzaks tend to really wear quickly on bare
pavement and they salt the highways like crazy up here).

If it snows where you live, get a set of winter tires for your OBW.
You'll be amazed by the difference it makes.

Bob

 

[ed]

Michelin Artic Alpins are good on hard pack and ice, but poor on slush and
loose snow, since they have a very closed tread.

 

[Skweezieweezie]

The owner's manual says to go with 215's because
of clearance issues with 225's. A lot of 215's are closer
to 225's because of a full snow tire's "chunkiness."
215's are slightly narrower, which would be an advantage
when cutting through deeper snow. 205-65's in a full
snow would probably be great, but would probably leave
much to be desired in dry handling.

 

[Tony Hwang]

I've got 225/60R16 Michelin Artic Alpins (snows) on my 2000 OBW. They
come pretty close to the "mud flaps" behind the front tires at
full-lock, but don't actually rub. They do tend to pack the snow up
in the wheel-wells, but all tires do that to some extent.

I live on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula (200-300" inches of snow a
year) -- The Alpin has proven to be an excellent winter tire,
especially on hard-packed snow and ice. You'll get lots of folks
recommending going to a much narrower tire for winter use (to "cut"
through the snow). This may be a valid argument in really deep snow
(over several inches), but on hard-pack and ice (where probably 90% of
my winter driving is done) I want as much bloomin' sticky rubber
hitting the ground that I can get... Note that most snow tires
(including the Alpins) are only "Q" speed rated rather that the OEM
tire's "H" rating. So, try to stay under 99 MPH on the snow...

You'll probably find that any of the true "snow" tires don't handle
quite as well as the stiffer summer tires with a higher speed rating.
The Alpins were pretty "twitchy" when new, but seem to have
settled-down after the first winter. They also tend to "sing" a bit
on wet pavement -- not really objectionable.

This will be my 4th winter on the Alpins and they are probably less
than half worn. My only complaint is that they are getting very
noisy. Wheel alignment has been checked several times and is right on
the money, so I'm not sure what's up with the Michelins. I'd
seriously consider Nokians or perhaps Bridgestone Blizzaks next time
around (although the Blizzaks tend to really wear quickly on bare
pavement and they salt the highways like crazy up here).

If it snows where you live, get a set of winter tires for your OBW.
You'll be amazed by the difference it makes.

Bob

Hi,
Blizzaks are much softer than Alpin. I am on Alpin too but next time I
am going to get a set of Nokia.
Tony