robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

So I have a question. I haven't had much luck locating a set of snow tires in a 245/50/16 variety and I really don't want to run my torque thrust 17 inch wheels in a Utah winter. What would you guys recommend for a tire that works good in the snow and the dry? I have a set of Irocs and a set of GTA wheels I could use in the winter months

Buddy

I'dd just give Tirerack a call and tell them you need a snow tire thats 16" but you need it to be the closest OD as a 245/50/16 tire is. They should be able to give you an option or two.

paul_huryk

There are 10x as many all seasons suitable for snow in 225-55-16 than 245-50-16 size.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

Skinny all season will do well. Wider would be bad for the snow

cosmick

BF Goodrich gForce COMP-2 A/S 245/50R16.

turd_gen

Like Paul said, just get snow tires in 225/55R16, they're only off in diameter by 0.1". They'll be cheaper and better in the snow than a 245 tire, skinnier is better in snow.

All seasons are good for nothing in snow and ice and things car get hairy real quick, especially in a rear wheel drive car with all of it's weight in the front.

I've driven through one Canadian winter on all seasons and I'll never do it again. Too many close calls, it's just not worth the risk, especially if you're driving in the city.

cosmick

I used to believe that bit about narrower being better, and for 4x4s that want to churn down through deep sloppy mud to the solid dirt underneath, it is true. But the difference between a 225/55R16 and a 245/50R16, in the snow, is not even noticeable. If you were comparing 225s against 315s, you might notice that.
Most of the available 245/50s are Chinese, and no wider than a BFG 225/55, and for dry performance, I've yet to read one claim of anyone managing faster laps of any road course or autocross on 225/55s than on 245/50s.
Here in the SL valley, where both RobertFrank ( the op of this thread ) and I both live, even snowy days seldom result in any driving on hard-packed snow. This has been my home valley for 40 years now, I've seen all the different snow we get.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

I was actually looking at the's exact tires on tire rack last night lol

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

I would get dedicated winter tire especially rwd car will out perform all season

Yes all season will perform well but not better than dedicated winter tire when I drove with both and I just felt more confident and safer with the winter tire and you have extra wheels for summer and winter so I wouldn't waste with all seasonthat black ice is no joke lol

Buddy

Yep, winter tires are for winter, all season.... not so much... lol. Get the winters, it's just the only answer.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

But the op was asking about the "best non snow tire", so that kinda rules out a snow tire.

Best option would be to not drive the car in the winter and get a truck, but that's not always an option

Buddy

But he did say he was having trouble finding 245/50/16 winters. But there are other 16" winter tire options, and since he is looking to run a different set of rims in the winter months, might as well go winters for winter. If he isn't going to drive a different car altogether for winter, might as well do the best he can to keep himself and his car as safe as he can.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

I know its probably a worse idea, but ever consider snow chains/straps for when its really bad? Or are they illegal there? Chains are not legal here in NJ anymore since most people have no clue how to drive reasonably....

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

Oh wow I didn't know that, so you can get pulled over and ticket for chains why make illegal

Here in Cali the make it mandatory for some roads for chains even if you have 4x4 iirc or maybe not so I assumed everywhere like that

But not bad idea for bad winter tho

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

I have chains for my jeep truck, but if I need to use them I must have really ****ed up....

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

Lol true

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

I couldn't find a cheap set of winter tires for my 16s unfortunately so I ended up getting two Cooper winter tires 245 45 17s for the rear and 235 45 17 mastercraft glacier grip 2s for the front. Awesome set up so far

Reid Fleming

iTrader: (2)

I'm late to the party for this thread. But what the heck. Might as well add my 2 cents.

I used to drive all seasons back when I lived on the west coast of Canada. Winters were usually mild. Sometimes no snow at all. Sometimes 3 days of it. Occasionally it would last for 2 weeks. I never saw much need for winter tires. But then again, I always drove a front wheel drive car (Pontiac Sunbird) during the winter. It came from the factory with 205 tires. But with 185 all seasons, it was amazingly good in the snow. And I lived up in the mountains too. So getting home would always be tricker for me than others who lived downtown.

F-bodies on the other hand, as we all know don't do too well in the snow. I had to get 2 people to help me push the car into the garage one winter day. There was so little snow that you could wear sandels and not get wet feet. But just taking your foot off the brake, the back tires would spin. Granted, that was with the original Gatorbacks on the car. But still, the point remains that our cars with light rears and wide summer or even all seasons just won't work that well.

My recommendation for others who have to deal with snow? Since we're at a disadvantage anyways, get some GOOD snow tires. I'm not too worried about a fender bender in a plain jane newer car today. But I'd hate to see an older F-body get banged up in the snow.

I drove Michelin X-ONE all seasons on a Bonneville for awhile. Very good in snow. Their X-ICE is the winter version of the same tire. Everybody rates it top of the line for snow and ice. They're $477 at Tire Rack. For something cheaper, you can get some Dunlop Wintersport 3D for $355 at Tire Rack. $355 for a set of winter tires in 225/55/16 is not a bad deal at all.

Zach/90\irocZ

iTrader: (6)

Yea I agree for fwd and all wheel drive you can get away with all season and fwd have chains just in case but rwd is just another beast and winter tires are the way to go some rwd are better than others but most generally would recommend snow I was in Chicago before and some parts of Cali doesn't get to bad but Chicago was pretty bad Illinois area