[YOW]

It is now that time of the year when I have to think seriously about buying snow tires for my CT.

My Premium CT has the 17" wheels, and is currently equipped with 215/45R17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. The list price for the equivalent Michilin Primacy Alpin snow tires is $238 per tire. That is a lot more than I've had to pay for snow tires in the past.

The base CT uses 205/55R16 size tires. Michelin snow tires in this size list for only $190, which is a lot less that the cost of tires for 17" wheels.

Does anyone know of a reason why I shouldn't install base CT size snow tires on my Premium CT?

 

[Sleepypete]

The people on Lexusownersclub.co.uk recommend the Pirelli Sottozeros for their rear wheel drive Lexus's - I can't comment there because I've never driven with winter tyres (doesn't really get bad enough in southern England)

Tyre size - narrower is actually better for when the snow comes. Less width = less contact area = higher contact pressure. The higher pressure is better for cutting through snow to more solid stuff.

Plus if you have different sized rear tyres and wheels, you can store the winter boots on your own terms instead of having to get them stored by someone else.

 

[jimmyc13]

If you don't care about looks and if you have bad/bumpy pothole ridden roads in the winter, you might want to get a 16" wheel and tire package for the winter setup. Just a suggestion, as there is not a ton of sidewall on the OEM 17" tires.

 

[Boldlygo]

Do a search on the board. I have posted a few messages about this subject already.

 

[jclevesq]

It is now that time of the year when I have to think seriously about buying snow tires for my CT.

My Premium CT has the 17" wheels, and is currently equipped with 215/45R17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. The list price for the equivalent Michilin Primacy Alpin snow tires is $238 per tire. That is a lot more than I've had to pay for snow tires in the past.

The base CT uses 205/55R16 size tires. Michelin snow tires in this size list for only $190, which is a lot less that the cost of tires for 17" wheels.

Does anyone know of a reason why I shouldn't install base CT size snow tires on my Premium CT?

Hi!
I am dooing exacly the same thing.
It's a lot less expenssive.

 

[Alexandr3]

How about going even lower to 15"? I'm thinking of getting the base CT with the 16". According to the calculator, the equal would be P205/60R15.

Can we use steel wheels too for the winter tire set (even cheaper than 4 new mags)?

 

[LowCarb]

I'd just got the wheels and tires package a moment ago with 1010tires.com. Enkei G5 (17x7, 5x100, offset +45) + Michelin Xi-2, mounted/balanced/shipping. Total 1700 $cdn tx incl.

Will take possession of the car on Oct 27th.

 

[jimmyc13]

How about going even lower to 15"? I'm thinking of getting the base CT with the 16". According to the calculator, the equal would be P205/60R15.

Can we use steel wheels too for the winter tire set (even cheaper than 4 new mags)?

Absolutely (steel wheels), though I wouldn't recommend 15", it would be an awfully squishy/soft ride and the car wouldn't handle nearly as well as it does now. Just my $0.02.

 

[Alexandr3]

Absolutely (steel wheels), though I wouldn't recommend 15", it would be an awfully squishy/soft ride and the car wouldn't handle nearly as well as it does now. Just my $0.02.

Thanks Jimmy! I did a test drive with the 17" and found them a little bit to stiff (thank you pot holes and crooked pavement), so I'm guessing the 16" would be ideal for us in Quebec. As for the squishyness of the 15", I would go up from 55 to 60 ratio so from P205/55R16 to P205/60R15.

You really think it would be that worst for the handling?

 

[CT200Kev]

Hi guys, I had my winter tyres fitted to the 17" wheels yesterday. The temperature is averaging aroud 7 C all day and was 2 C this morning so probably good time to change. I went for the Nokian's as had them on previous car and they were excellent. Some good deals too for online suppliers (mine came fro Germany in 3 days). The car is no longer whisper quiet as the level of road noise has increased significantly but think this is a small price to pay for keeping safe.

 

[justjay]

Any chance you could use 205/55R15 snows on the CT? Or is that way too small?

 

[LeonLaiOnline]

Both 205/55/15 or 195/60/15 fit

 

[justjay]

Both 205/55/15 or 195/60/15 fit

Oh really? That's amazing! My wife has a practically new set from her current car that the lease is up. Thanks!
Anyone have experience with this size on the CT?

 

[Boldlygo]

I've posted this before in another thread, but if you use this tire size calculator and start with the factory tire sizes, you can see what other sizes are the proper fit.
Tire size calculator

 

[johnleigh]

My (Lexus) dealer recommended Hankook i cept evo for the 17" wheels (northern England, so we don't get snow anything like you guys in North America)

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxhookah66]

For US vehicles I wouldn't go smaller than Type B R16x6J rims, you may have issues with rotor clearances. Rotor sizes varies from market to market. Yes, smaller rims and taller tires will fit but there will be some degradation in the ride, i.e. "mushiness". P205/55R16 is a fairly popular size and the prices are competitive. I was going to do the same, i.e. ordering R16x6J rims and mount w/ Continental ExtremeWinterContacts and have tireRack pre-install with TPMS as well. All for USD1,076.

 

[LeonLaiOnline]

15x6.5 wheel is officially listed in the manual...

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxhookah66]

15x6.5 wheel is officially listed in the manual...

Yes, pages 677/9 lists four types of tires that can be fitted to CT200h. These are generic tire/wheel specifications, one of them being 15x5.5J. But for specific fitment it is listed in the placard by driver's sill of your particular vehicle. The US and Canadian market vehicles are fitted with different brand of tire and wheel sizes. I am not familiar with European market CT's.

And yes, you will save money by going with smaller diameter wheels but at sacrifice of wall ratio. You have to "make up" for the wall height to retain the same circumferential diameter of the 0 size tire that you car was originally fitted with. Smaller diameter wheel equates to "taller" tires, which got certain riding characteristics that you may not like.

Go to tireRack website, they got a page which goes into detailed discussion of tire/wheel fitments, i.e. OEM 0 size, -1 (snow) size and +1 ("souped up") size tires and wheels, and appropriate offsets.

 

[LeonLaiOnline]

And yes, you will save money by going with smaller diameter wheels but at sacrifice of wall ratio. You have to "make up" for the wall height to retain the same circumferential diameter of the 0 size tire that you car was originally fitted with. Smaller diameter wheel equates to "taller" tires, which got certain riding characteristics that you may not like.

Totally agree. For winter tire usage, and especially with deep snow, it's better to have a thicker wall. Or the rim will be easily be scratched with the ice on the road.

Check it out at Home - Discount Tire Direct, it shows the 15" wheel compatible with CT.

 

[microgerry]

I have just bought a set of 205/55R16 Michelin Primacy Alpins on new alloys for the winter. My standard tyres are 17" but my mrs keeps scraping the wheels. Hopefully with a bit more tyre wall in the winter my new wheels may survice unscathed. BTW, Event Tyres were the best price I found too.