Slightly oversized winter tires vs All-season

[mbmsv]

Hello experts,

The stock tire size for my car is 195/60R15. Short of buying a new set of winter tires what is better for the winter: 205/60R15 Wintermark Magna Grip winter tires , not new, but with lots of tread, or stock size Yokohama Avid TRZ with at least 30-40 K km on them? Last season I chose to leave Avids on the car and the car behaved very well... This season with more wear on Avids I am not sure what the right decision should be. I inherited the oversized winter tires from the previous owner. Since they are oversized the grip with the road is going to be less, but how to quantify this effect vs. another set of tires?...

Thanks for your thoughts...

[puterhead]

There is so little difference between those 2 tire sizes, it would hardly make a difference. I think I would go with the 205 and stay with it. I say that because I own a 93 Lumina with 195/60R16 on it and a 97 Lumina with 205/60R16 on it. The tire height is about the same, but the 205 is wider. When pulling out from a stop, the 93 with the 195s has always been bad about unintentional tire squealing. The 97 with the 205s has never done that. The 205s also provide a softer ride.

[MagicRat]

I would agree. Go with the tires in the best condition. The 205's in theory are marginally taller and wider, so your speedo will be slightly off, but handling and performance should be little changed.