New owner - best winter tyre size to get Jazz Sport

[guest2877]

Hello,

I've just purchased a 2008 Jazz Sport to serve as my commuting car. I want to get onto a decent set of Vredestein winter tyres asap but I'm toiling getting the right size. I know the car runs on 185/55/15's but apparently nobody has stock of these at present and they cost quite a bit. I've used an online tyre tool to try and find other sizes that keep the rolling radius the same and come up with a 165/65/15.

The question is, will this fit? I don't know the width of the alloy so I don't know how narrow I can go on the standard wheels, I would really appreciate it if anyone can help with this. The best price I can get for the 185's is £82 each plus fitting whereas the 165's are £61 so a decent saving on a set of 4!

I also realise that narrower tyres are better in the snow for grip but obviously this compromises dry/wet weather grip when there is less rubber to road contact.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,

MrBroons.

[olduser1]

The tyre size Honda decided on for 16" wheels is limited in the UK, however mytyres.co.uk have a variety of makes listed as well as winter tyres in 185 55 16.
I would not fit another size without first checking with your insurance company and sit down when they tell you the cost of 'modifying' your vehicle.
An alternative is to fit a full set of steel wheels and 175/55/15 tyres again mytyres have these available

[guest2227]

Hi

I have just fitted a set of these Nokians which I got from mytyres

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=21411323&group=1.01&name=Nokian+WR+D3

They are standard 185/55/15

[guest869]

I have 165 x 14 winters on my Jazz, on steelies. As you say the thinner tyre will be better in the snow.

I have had Nokians in the past and would be my first choice of winter tyre.

[Ozzie]

Just as a matter of interest why are you going for winter tyres??

Do I need winter tyres?

Winters tyres are a sensible choice for motorists living and driving in remote areas where winter conditions are likely to be severe for long periods of times.

Most parts of the UK do not experience lengthy periods of such severe conditions and buying winter tyres for only a short time may not be an option for every budget. However there are certain precautions motorists should follow to ensure they stay safe on the roads during bad weather.

Regular tyre checks are essential. National recommends that motorists should check their tyres on a weekly basis. During winter, these checks become even more important.

Motorists should check tyre tread is above the legal minimum of 1.6mm, or better still above 3mm. Also be aware of any cuts, cracks or bulges - these could lead to slow punctures or blow-outs at high speeds.

[D3DSL]

I use Vredstein Quadtrac 3s (185/55 15s) on my GD Jazz up in the Highlands.  All season and winter snowflake marked so can happily leave them on all summer. Often it's building up a snow wedge underneath that stops me rather than tyre grip.  As you can see we got a light dusting in winter 09/10, she was under this snow heap for 6 weeks.



Luckily have more suitable mode of transport for when the snow is around.



Re whether you need winter tyres, my attitude is for the sake of getting a second set of rims (which aren't that expensive if you are patient & watch eBay) and a decent trolley-jack (which does all the car's including the Disco3) it's worth having a set of winters.  The OEM Bridgestones are woeful on the slightest amount of the white stuff, and winters are so much better in the rain as well.  Winters on a FWD car can be as good as a softroader 4x4 if driven properly.  I also run a GE Jazz ES CVT based in Surrey but it's also on winters as my house is on a hill.  Got Conti T810 winters on that, proper winters rather than all seasons, but haven't experienced them in snow yet. 

[guest1844]

I run winters as well, on steel rims (will put them on this weekend). In the long run they don't cost any more as you're saving your summers. Never mind the snow, they make a big difference on cold wet roads. I can outmanoeuvre BMWs in my Jazz. Hilarious to do. I reckon twice the grip of the Bridgestones at 2C say. You can just lay round the roundabouts like a hooligan, its almost disconcerting.
I got them last year as in the ice/snow I had to resort to the Volvo to get to work. The Jazz wouldn't even go on the level. No doubt a better set of summers would have helped, but I went the whole hog. £300 quid for 4 tyres on steels from Mytyres.com. Dropped to a higher profile on 14" rims, narrower as well, helps shift water on the M9 which suffers from standing water.
Recommended.

[guest2877]

Many thanks for all the replies! 

I do require these tyres as I stay in an area that gets a lot of snow, similar to the picture of the Disco.

I am running 15" wheels I believe and not 16", standard GE sport?

I don't think I will have a problem with insurance, the car has already been listed with mods and it cost me nothing extra but I will take that under advisement, thanks.

Reading reviews on the Nokian, I agree they look great! I'm looking for a decent price now on either the Nokian or Snowtrac 3 or indeed the Quadtrac (thanks D3DSL) in either 185/55/15 or 165/65/15.

Thanks again!!

MrBroons.

[D3DSL]

Re getting a second set, I got 5 GD SE rims with OEM tyres for £150 from Fleabay.  As they are the same rims as the originals I don't need to tell my insurer when I change them over, also the winter tyres comply with the required spec so no need to inform.  Problem with fleabay from now on is more people are looking for second sets so they become rarer and pricier.  Another option re winters is if your usual tyres are near finished put winters on these and shop for a second set for summer booties in the spring when things are cheaper.

[guest1809]

I have 2nd set of steel rims and set of 175/65/14 fulda winter tires. Bought them for 200 € and are great. You can realy feel the difference compared when driving on summer tires when colder than 10°c. Even without snow difference is noticable

[guest1583]

 

What noticeable differance can you say..please explain...

[guest1809]

Well, what i have noticed is the moment that it gets colder than 10°C my "summertires" become very soft and sometimes i even have a feeling that i'm running on the flat tires. Many times i have checked if the pressure at that moment is acceptable and every time it seems very normal. However , since i have bought these winter tires last year and installed them i don't have that problem even with temperatures around -15°c. But when it gets warmer in the spring i can feel the same thing happening with my winter tires and then i switch back to "summertires".
I presume that it has something to do with the materials and kind of rubber that the winter tires are made off. However i'm not a specialist on this matter and i'm just sharing my experience.   

[guest1583]

 

Tire pressure will change by one psi for approximately every 10 degrees of temperature change. Lower temperatures lead to lower tire pressure and higher temperatures to higher tire pressure.

In addition to varying with the outdoor temperature, tire pressure is affected by the tires heating up with use. During the first 20 minutes you drive your car, the tire pressure will increase by about one psi every five minutes.

  In short outside/environment temperature affects the tyre pressure thats why youre experiencing a feeling of low tyre pressure in cold say during winte vice versa on hot summer days, its not really down to wether or not you use a winter or summer time.  In my opinion its worthwhile to have both winter and summertime tyre if you could afford it otherwise ill use all weather ones..cheerios