Hi all, I own a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek limited with 225/55/18 stock wheels and looking for a set of winter tires for up coming seasons. I’ve driven in snow for a couple of seasons already but don’t want to continue pushing my luck. I’m new to buying winter tires and on a tight budget though.

My cousin has a set of Michelin x-ice 245/40/18 that he would sell me for $300. He told me to go buy cheap wheelies online and put the tires on them. I used the tiresize website to compare and the diameter is about 7% smaller on the x-ice and 8% wider making it about -5mph at 70mph.

Would love to get any input, advice or recommendation on what should I do?

  • POSVETT@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    My rules of thumb about winter set is:

    1. Get a set of cheap, used wheels that are the smallest to fit over the brakes

    2. Get the cheapest new winter tires available in the largest over-size (OD, not width) that still fit without rubbing

    These two rules of thumb are used to minimize spending while still maintaining practicality. The oversized tires in smaller wheel size provide extra cushion against rougher surface and potholes plus providing extra ground clearance.

    I avoid dual-compound winter tires such as Bridgestone Blizzak to maximize tread life. The winters in Central OH have been milder in the last several seasons, so I have no use for studded or dual-compound winter tires.

    In the case of your cousin’s tires, I would pass on them. While they seem cheap, they provide less ground clearance for your car. If they’re dual-compound type with only half tread depth left, the compound left is the all-season type.