Hi everyone,
This is my first post here so please take it easy on me.
In couple of weeks I will be setting off for a longish tour outside UK. I need some winter boots for my Jazz. Currently it is wearing 185/55 R16 (6J rim). Ideally I should go for 15 inch steel rims and higher wall tyres but I will be keeping the same rims this time.
It is recommended to go for thinner tyres. That leaves only 175 on the table, which is fair enough. But I cant find anywhere any advice about the tyre diameter. Lets assume we stick with the same width and play just with ratios to keep things simple for my simple brain. Then, my alternatives would be either 185/60 or 185/50 (to stay within recommended 3% difference from original).
Two questions:
1) We already know that thinner is better, but which total wheel diameter is more beneficial for driving on snow and slush? Larger or smaller? And why?
2) Currently my wheels are 610mm in diameter and there is still a bit over an inch clearance from the arch.
If for some reason thin but large wheel rolls better in winter, what maximum diameter I could go for without danger of rubbing the arches, loaded or cornering?
Many thanks for the input.