In 215/65R16 for the 2003.
Even though I have a usable set Altimax Arctic which I might sell on CL. Something I didnt think about when I bought the Altimax tires and didnt get them studded is they likely rely on the studs to get ice traction. Between the last two winters I got stuck on ice three times with the Altimax and I had a limited slip differential out back. The friction coefficient was so low I could not get the differential clutches to actually grip. It would just grind and act like an open.
I wanted to go back to a performance Ice/Snow tire without the studding capability. My last tires in this category were the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D that I had on my 2004 with an open differential. I don't remember having any problems with those tires. This category seems to be a good fit for my conditions locally. Its usually fairly dry through the winter which burns up pure studless ice/snow tires. Any rain freezes overnight. Snow melts during the day to become ice. Then theres the freezing rain that comes later in the winter. My top three concerns are probably dry traction/treadlife, ice performance and wet performance.
Over the winter, I will acquire some later 17" steel wheels and 235/55R17 tires to put on the car come spring. Which is my other reasoning for the new tires. I wasnt super excited about paying out $80 to mount tires I wasnt happy with on these wheels and only use for one winter. I just wanted to get a new set, mount them once and leave them on until they are worn out as I will have the 17" set for the remainder of the year.
Should arrive Thursday. Will wait until later next month to get them mounted up.
Even though I have a usable set Altimax Arctic which I might sell on CL. Something I didnt think about when I bought the Altimax tires and didnt get them studded is they likely rely on the studs to get ice traction. Between the last two winters I got stuck on ice three times with the Altimax and I had a limited slip differential out back. The friction coefficient was so low I could not get the differential clutches to actually grip. It would just grind and act like an open.
I wanted to go back to a performance Ice/Snow tire without the studding capability. My last tires in this category were the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D that I had on my 2004 with an open differential. I don't remember having any problems with those tires. This category seems to be a good fit for my conditions locally. Its usually fairly dry through the winter which burns up pure studless ice/snow tires. Any rain freezes overnight. Snow melts during the day to become ice. Then theres the freezing rain that comes later in the winter. My top three concerns are probably dry traction/treadlife, ice performance and wet performance.
Over the winter, I will acquire some later 17" steel wheels and 235/55R17 tires to put on the car come spring. Which is my other reasoning for the new tires. I wasnt super excited about paying out $80 to mount tires I wasnt happy with on these wheels and only use for one winter. I just wanted to get a new set, mount them once and leave them on until they are worn out as I will have the 17" set for the remainder of the year.
Should arrive Thursday. Will wait until later next month to get them mounted up.
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