Smaller wheel okay for Forester S?

[KookeeKaroakee]

I am looking ot buy a snowtire/wheel package - stock wheels on my 02
Forester S is 215 r60-16
In speaking with Tirerack.com, they recommended a 15" tire 205 r70-15
so that I can run a narrower tire in winter
Would this be okay?

 

[ed]

The circumference of the tire is what is important, so that your speedo
stays accurate.
The 215 r60-16 tires have a circumference of about 2086 mm, the 205 r70-15
2097 mm, a difference of about 1/2%, which is negligeable.
The narrower tires do bite better in snow, the wider stock size tends to
float in snow, especially all seasons.
Ed B

 

[S]

Hi Kookee!

I am looking ot buy a snowtire/wheel package - stock wheels on my 02
Forester S is 215 r60-16
In speaking with Tirerack.com, they recommended a 15" tire 205 r70-15
so that I can run a narrower tire in winter
Would this be okay?

205-70-15 is the stock size on the base Forester (Forester "L" ?). We
put a set of Kumho I-Zen tires on my wifes Forester last fall.
4 tires, in 205-70-15, studded, mounted and balanced on new steel
rims, and shipped were well under the $500 mark from Tirerack. Hard to
beat that deal.
The tires work well; they have nice manners on the highway, are
reasonably quiet for studded tires, grip well on ice, and work OK in
snow. Hope this helps.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[mac]

the tire rack folks are usually more astute about these things than the
local Tires-R-Us.