tire width in snow

[sirmaxalot]

I am looking to get new tires and 17" wheels for my '98 gle. I drive my car in all types of weather including lots of snow (upstate new york) and plan to buy either

Bridgestone Potenza RE950
Dunlop SportA2
Michellin Pilot XGT-H4

Which tire performs the best in dry, wet, and snow? I want to go wider than 205 to get better performance but don't want to snowplane either. What is the widest tire you guys recommend when taking snow into account? Thanks!

[bobo_80]

no way man.....u want performance?....u definetly have to go 235 or something man.....it matches 17" the best.....and i`ll go with dunlop...
.....just think it`s a good brand....well others are good too...but maybe not as much "sport" as dunlop!

[sirmaxalot]

damn, i really wanted to go to 17"s! oh well, i guess i'll just get the 16"s. anyway, has anyone run 225's in snow? do they slip around much? the widest tires i've driven on in snow are 215's and they're not bad. just wondering..

[Altimat]

A heavier car can handle wider tires in the snow, but I had 205's on a Colt Turbo and it was UNDRIVEABLE in the snow (Of course they were Yoko A008R's). The wider the tire, the less traction you have. I drive a Metro with pizzacutters for work and drive circles around everybody in the snow. Do not try to find a upgrade tire/wheel that will work all-season. Buy the wheels/tires for summer only (wide, NOT M+S) and use your stock wheels for winter. I know it sucks 'cause usually there isn't snow on the road every day, but it's like a new car every year again in spring when you swap back!

[lockemiester]

I'm running 225 YOKO guardex600's in northern Canada and find they are realy good. I installed them on the stock 15's and swap them in the summer.

[shane]

I have always heard that the wider the tire is th better it should do(if it is a all weather tire and in good shape)and also let air pressure out some for better traction