Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

[Scarano]

I have a stock V6 with the standard factory 16" wheels and tires. I was thinking about getting some 17" wheels on P275/40-17 tires. Just curious, with the wider tire and smaller sidewall, is this going to make a huge difference over the stock tires in bad weather driving like through rain and snow?

[shock_core]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

Yeah. Wider = bad in weather. The thinner the tire the less water can get under it and the less of a chance you have a hydroplaning. However, if you get a decent set of tires, you will not run into this problem very much unless you like to speed like crazy in the rain. I wouldn't drive in snow. What rims and tires as you thinking of going with?

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

i wouldnt do it in the snow anyways just on the off chance you slide in you sub and hit a curb. i've done it before and i've got some nice scratches in my factory rims. i dont care that much about those rims but if i paid big money for nice rims... i'd be livid.

[Camarorulz]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

The weight distribution is not the best in these cars, and a wider tire won't help. If you plan on driving in the snow, at least weigh down your rear by putting something heavy in the hatch.

Something that will also affect traction is the size of the sidewall: the thinner you go, the worse traction will be because you don't get as much flex. That's how it is with drag racing anyway, not completely sure about low-traction conditions.

[Scarano]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

Yeah. Wider = bad in weather. The thinner the tire the less water can get under it and the less of a chance you have a hydroplaning. However, if you get a decent set of tires, you will not run into this problem very much unless you like to speed like crazy in the rain. I wouldn't drive in snow. What rims and tires as you thinking of going with?

I was thinking of getting some 17" WS6 wheels. But then I would have to get new tires, so with the lower profile tires and the approaching winter I am not sure if this is a wise idea.

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

usually, people that drive their cars in the winter... keep the stock wheels on there, and put the aftermarket wheels on in the summer, when its nice , to keep them from getting damaged.

[V6Bob]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

Best would be to keep the stock wheels for winter and put real snow tires on them. Real snow tires have a snowflake and a mountain on the sidewall. Brudgestone Blizzaks were the originals, now there are others.

[shock_core]

Re: Driving in the snow with 17" wheels

I was thinking of getting some 17" WS6 wheels. But then I would have to get new tires, so with the lower profile tires and the approaching winter I am not sure if this is a wise idea.

Lol, yeah I have a WS6 with the 17x9 WS6 rims with 275/40/17 tires. I'm nervous about driving in rain left alone driving in the snow. Well, you can always have 2 sets of tires. Keep your stock rims, rip the tires off and put pure winter tires on. So they way, in the winter you can drive without killing yourself and when spring/summer/fall come around you can look good riding on your 17's.