i am in the market for new tires for my eg hatch. the car is lowered on coil overs, not exactly slammed.



sorry not the best picture but its the best side view i have.

i have been hearing really good things about the conti extreme contact tires, as far as wet/cold traction and just a good all around all season tire. the smallest size i could find for this tire in a 15" is 205/55. currently i have 195/50, i know these tires would be slightly larger and would measure roughly 12" from the center caps out. it doesn't appear that they would be rubbing but i am afraid if i get these tires i may rub on turns. i dont know how to judge it.

basically i wanna know has anyone here used this size on their civic before? any clearance issues? or if anyone else has some good all season tires they recommend i am up to suggestions. i really just want something that will last and something that will not be too bad in the snow since i live in chicago.

thanks

 

bump

 

I do not recommend getting 205/55-15 for your car. Especially not for winter use, when wider means worse grip, and when you want the extra clearance in your wheel wells.

195/50-15 is the best 15" size for your car. I realize that this is not the best size for all-seasons, because tire selection is limited, especially for the best all-seasons. But there are still some all-seasons you can get in that size, like the Kumho AST, Falken Ziex ZE-912, Nitto NT-450, or Toyo Proxes 4, all in the $50-60 range.

Have you ever considered getting a second set of wheels and tires to use only during the winter? That way, you can get better grip during our snowy season. Plus, you can get better grip the rest of the year by using summer tires, rather than all-seasons. And you can keep your nice wheels away from the slush and salt.

To give you an idea of prices, you can get the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60, IMHO the best winter tire for snow and ice, in 175/65-14 for $71/tire at the Tire Rack. Or, for a little less money and a little less grip but still decent, you can get the Dunlop Graspic DS-2 in the same size for $54/tire after rebate. The Tire Rack also sells 14" steelies for $39 each, and if you buy them at the same time as the tires, they mount and balance for free. So for somewhere around $400, you'll get much better winter traction, and much better traction the rest of the year. Plus, your winter tires will last for quite a few years, since you will only be driving on them three months a year. And you won't wear out your other tires as fast, because you'll be putting the winter miles on your winter tires.

I realize that not everyone can get winter tires, for various reasons - some people don't have the space to keep the extra set of tires - but doing this has a lot of advantages.

 

holy crap finally someone responded HAHA

soo wider doesn't mean better... how about a 195/55 or 60.... would a taller tire make traction any worse?

 

In winter, narrower is better.

No, but it will throw off your speedometer and odometer, will make your car accelerate slower, and will give you less clearance in the wheel wells - it may even rub. Stick with 195/50-15.

 

because the taller tire changes your final geal ratio? like putting some 20's on a civic?

 

Yup.