Shopping for some snow tires now for the impending doom that is called canadian winter. I was wondering if I should get stock size tires and throw them on my stock rims or if its ok if I get snow tires in 205/40/17 size and put them on my summer rims?



I should also mention that my summer tires need to be replaced and Im getting new summer rims & tires in the spring so I dont really care what happens to my current summer set.

 

I have been happier with narrower tires with taller sidewalls for snow and ice. Your dry and wet traction suffers though. I guess it depends on priorities. I think you can get around in worse conditions with fairly narrow tires and the taller sidewalls are better able to absorb impacts from rough ice patches, etc.



We don't usually get much snow here, but when we do it's basically not dealt with in any meaningful way. It's a reality that if I want to be able to get to work I might need to be able to drive around with compact snow and ice a foot deep (with giant holes of course) for as long as a couple of weeks without anyone clearing the roads. With stock sized studded snow tires I've never had any problem getting around.

 

You'll get better grip with All season or winter tires and on stock rim sizes. The bigger and thinner the tire tread, the less grip you will have. I live in Northern Alberta and we have some of the worst winters in Canada excluding the Territories.

 

In winter you should always use winter tires. I try tu use as narrow as possible/allowed with the highest walls (determined the sizes for my winter tires years ago so I am not that sure anymore - always have them stored at the workshop). I drive a lot and this worked for me quite well. My folks live in a wintersport area and I do drive a lot in the snow.