MS3 in the snow!

[silvapain]

Running 16" steelies with snow tires from Tire Rack here as well. No rubbing issues.


Tapadatass

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by robry hope that helps

That looks like a tight fit between the rim and the caliper. I'm trying to figure out which way to go, as we have three passes to go over on a regular basis. Snow tires are a must.

I'll be keeping this car for some time so will invest in a decent set to just keep mounted for easy swaps at home, thinking of skipping the tpms sensors as we don't have inspections and I can just deal with the light.

[cabrone]

waiting to get my blizzaks onto my new (to me) mazda 6 wheels.

[robry]

tpms won't work in the 16" steel wheels, you'd have to get a set of mazda oem wheels or some aftermarkets designed for tpms. I doubt a state inspection would fail you... never know though.

the mudflaps are corksports. car is ready to go, just waiting for the white stuff

[ThizSpeed3]

[robry]

other solution is swap your stock wheels on for the inspection, then swap back right after its done...

[Lex]

I put some Continental DWS tires on my stock 18s since I have another set of 18s as summer tires. We get a lot more rain than snow here so the DWS tire made the most sense.

[Scoobs]

Blizzaks WS-60 P225/40r18 installed on OEM wheels, not bad at all.

2 of my Dunlops are dead, toe out killed them. Now all wheels are in spec and I'm ready for the white stuff.

New rims and tires next spring, I'm going for Enkei RPF1 17x 8" and P245/40ZR17 tires.

[jkmags]

Can an AP turn off the TPMS so you don't have the warning light?

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by jkmags Can an AP turn off the TPMS so you don't have the warning light?

No.


Tapadatass

[cabrone]

Originally Posted by silvapain No. Tapadatass

I know you can turn it off (as it is a CEL in essence, right?) but it will come back. With AccessTuner it cannot be ignored like an 02 sensor?

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by cabrone I know you can turn it off (as it is a CEL in essence, right?) but it will come back. With AccessTuner it cannot be ignored like an 02 sensor?

No. It's not an OBD-II DTC and is controlled by a independent computer.


Tapadatass

[Ckmazdaspeed3]

Originally Posted by silvapain Running 16" steelies with snow tires from Tire Rack here as well. No rubbing issues. Tapadatass

What tires are you running? Every time I went to check out they said that they were out of steelies.

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by Ckmazdaspeed3 What tires are you running? Every time I went to check out they said that they were out of steelies.

Firestone Winterforce 205/60R-16 on 16x6.5 +42 steelies. Almost dead-on overall height to my stock 215/45R-18's.


Tapadatass

[cabrone]

@jkmags, @silvapain
I just checked. and...

as I thought you CAN clear the TMPS light with AP.

I did it not 5 mins ago.

How long it stays off is YTBD

Light starts off blinking... Plug in AP, let it read codes. It sees nothing until it goes SOLID

Hit Clear Codes (under troubleshoot)

There it be

[robry]

how long does it stay off for though? a day?

[cabrone]

That is Yet To Be Determined by myself. Feel free to try it as clearing the code takes under a minute. I'm guessing around 50 miles?


Edit: ten miles for me...
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[XxSPUDxX]

just ordered 16" steelies from tirerack with firestone winterforce tires.. No hubcaps.

I have an FX4 for most of the snow driving, but my wifes BMW 330i sucks in the snow.. So on the bad days she takes the truck.

Now I will be all set for the winter...

[cabrone]

Mazds 6 wheels with 205 / 50 /17 ws70

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[quinntheskimo]

Just got offered two great deals on two seperate winter tires/rims...but not sure if the size is too different than the stock set-up. Can anyone help??

I tried 16" and they didn't clear the front caliper and I know most people have been getting 205/50/17 or 215/50/17 but I'm trying to save money and buy them slightly used.

Tire sizes are 235/50/17 & 225/50/18. Will these be too wide/ too different than the stock set-up or will either of these work? And if so, which out of the two is the better option?

Thanks for your help, everyone

[cabrone]

Originally Posted by quinntheskimo Just got offered two great deals on two seperate winter tires/rims...but not sure if the size is too different than the stock set-up. Can anyone help?? I tried 16" and they didn't clear the front caliper and I know most people have been getting 205/50/17 or 215/50/17 but I'm trying to save money and buy them slightly used. Tire sizes are 235/50/17 & 225/50/18. Will these be too wide/ too different than the stock set-up or will either of these work? And if so, which out of the two is the better option? Thanks for your help, everyone

Tire size calculator

input the info here.

but you will be fine. with the 17s for sure. I'd say safe with either but 17 is better match

[quinntheskimo]

Alright, thanks.

I tried that tire size calculator and it said the 18" was like 7% different and the 17'' was 4.5% different so I didn't know if that was too much of a discrepancy, given the fact that the 205/50/17 and 215/50/17 were only 1% different.

But, awesome, really can't thank you enough for your help. A new setup on tire rack or any local store was gonna run me $1,000+ and these will save me $500. Blizzacks only used one winter (+/-5,000 miles) on some pretty nice rims. They came off an Infiniti I think but regardless, psyched that they will fit.

Thanks again for your help. Anyone else have anything to add?

[cabrone]

Originally Posted by quinntheskimo Alright, thanks. I tried that tire size calculator and it said the 18" was like 7% different and the 17'' was 4.5% different so I didn't know if that was too much of a discrepancy, given the fact that the 205/50/17 and 215/50/17 were only 1% different. But, awesome, really can't thank you enough for your help. A new setup on tire rack or any local store was gonna run me $1,000+ and these will save me $500. Blizzacks only used one winter (+/-5,000 miles) on some pretty nice rims. They came off an Infiniti I think but regardless, psyched that they will fit. Thanks again for your help. Anyone else have anything to add?

Something else to ponder lol. While the 17 is a better match in terms of dia, the 18 is slightly narrower which is better in snow. Also, since it is winter, the larger dia will help pick up lost mpg (and give you less miles than actual on the clock) from the doo doo winter gas.

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[quinntheskimo]

I'm guessing those numbers are in terms of mm, so although narrow is better in snow, will 10 mm wider really be noticeable? I'm literally on my way to go get these tires from a Craigslister in 3 hours, one winter old blizzacks on some pretty nice rims for $450, so I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing for my brand new, 2-month-old (today!) baby and won't lose her in the snow. I'm coming from an audi quattro and I know it won't be as flawless as that was but just concerned.

But as long as they fit, and the slightly wider size won't jeopardize me in the snow, I'm gonna jack up the car at this guys house and throw on a front tire just to check, I am very excited.

Thanks again for your help, cabrone

[quinntheskimo]

Besides clearing the front brake caliper, what are things I should be looking for to make sure these wheels will be fine for my car? I've heard offset is important but i don't really know what that is and how to calculate/look for it.

What do I need to be focusing on?

I realize I sound like such a noob, and I am haha, but all help and advice is seriously appreciated.

Thanks everyone.

[vincent1010]

my car is ms3 is slammed, gap at all, how good is it gonna be in the winter, any idea?

[XxSPUDxX]

Originally Posted by quinntheskimo Just got offered two great deals on two seperate winter tires/rims...but not sure if the size is too different than the stock set-up. Can anyone help?? I tried 16" and they didn't clear the front caliper and I know most people have been getting 205/50/17 or 215/50/17 but I'm trying to save money and buy them slightly used. Tire sizes are 235/50/17 & 225/50/18. Will these be too wide/ too different than the stock set-up or will either of these work? And if so, which out of the two is the better option? Thanks for your help, everyone

I am confused with this. I went to tire rack and selected my 2012 ms3 as the vehicle...It let me select 16" Rims and tires. If you choose their suggested package it is 16" rims as well.

Ive seen folks put pix of 16" rims...but this post above and when i called around local a couple shops said the 16s wont fit.....

The wheels arrive today..guess i will find out.. just weird on the back and forth about this.

[eppopipe]

16s are on mine without any issue

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by XxSPUDxX I am confused with this. I went to tire rack and selected my 2012 ms3 as the vehicle...It let me select 16" Rims and tires. If you choose their suggested package it is 16" rims as well. Ive seen folks put pix of 16" rims...but this post above and when i called around local a couple shops said the 16s wont fit..... The wheels arrive today..guess i will find out.. just weird on the back and forth about this.

Some, not all, 16's will fit. Offset and differences in spoke design and inner rim diameter are very important.


Tapadatass

[XxSPUDxX]

Well I hope tire rack sent me the correct kind. Got delivered today.

[silvapain]

Originally Posted by XxSPUDxX Well I hope tire rack sent me the correct kind. Got delivered today.

If TireRack says they'll fit, then you're fine.

[robry]

tirerack wouldn't have shipped you the wrong rim that wouldn't fit. and to @quinntheskimo 16s will fit, if you find the right ones.

+55mm offset, 16"x6.5" and 67mm hub bore. Others are running +40~mm offset 16s with the same specs. if the hub bore is larger, you need appropriate hubcentric spacers.

[XxSPUDxX]

Originally Posted by silvapain If TireRack says they'll fit, then you're fine.

You are indeed correct.

Winter shoes installed.. no issues.. plenty of room for the calipers.

[Frank Drebin]

Originally Posted by silvapain If TireRack says they'll fit, then you're fine.

+1

[mps34life]

From my experice ( living in Canada and all)...the ms3 handles pretty good. Haven't gotten stuck in snow or anything, but winter tires are a must. The car does squeek a ton (suspensions) but its perfectly normal in cold weather.

[10mspeed3]

Originally Posted by CaptObvious75 In Canada, our stuff is always more expensive. 17" steelies with a GOOD set of winters will run you between $800-$1,000, espicially including the 13% tax we pay for everything.

You can thank your socialist government for that.

[XxSPUDxX]

Originally Posted by 10mspeed3 You can thank your socialist government for that.

You did there, I see.

[MS309]

My 16" studded continentals cost me $600 new plus $200 for 16" steelies.

And btw my tpms light hasant come on even once, have had the tires on for two months now.

Ah perhaps I should add my experience of driving it in the cold/snow. The studded tires really help, car handles good and no issues but I can't bear the ride on anything other than main streets and highways. I take a service road to work and it's filled with potholes/bumps/craters etc, for now I drive my other winter beater and speedy only leaves the garage on weekends.

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[GODspeed7]

My tire rack steelies and general altimax arctic tires just came in today. I will post pics of it when I get home and then some with the setup on the car. I can't wait to see how the car handles in the snow. This is my first car ever with dedicated SNOW tires!

[Ferg]

Originally Posted by mps34life From my experice ( living in Canada and all)...the ms3 handles pretty good. Haven't gotten stuck in snow or anything, but winter tires are a must. The car does squeek a ton (suspensions) but its perfectly normal in cold weather.

im in Cheyenne, WY, and when it gets into single digits, the suspension sounds like its screaming for warmer weather. lol. makes the car seem like its breaking everytime you hit a bump.