A4Driver

I posted these questions in the wheel/tire forum, and the only person who answered basically repeated what I said, but didn't specifically answer my questions. I hope someone here can:

I am confused about some wheel/tire combinations, so please bear with me. I ordered a 2002 A4 with the sport package and 17" wheels. The tires (according to C&D) are 235/45-17. I will need winter tires and wheels, and have some questions:

1. I understand that winter tires should be narrower than your summer tires. I read somewhere that the 16" equivalent tires for my 17-inchers is 205/55-16. If the 16" and 17" tires mentioned are the same diameter, how come there is such a fender gap when people use 17" wheels and tires with the stock suspension? Shouldn't the gap be the same as with the 16-inchers?

2. Do I really need to get 16" wheels for my winter tires? Can't I get 17" wheels and tires - maybe 225/45 - and still get good traction?

3. For the last five years I have run my A4 quattro with all-weather radials: Goodyear RS/A (205/55-16) and have gotten excellent traction in the snow. Maybe they're not as good as "snow tires" in the snow, but they're better on dry roads (i.e.: highways). Since the highways are plowed very well, and I do a fair amount of highway driving, I prefer the all-weather (M+S) over pure "snows." Is there any reason I shouldn't get 17" wheels with all-weather radials for the winter (instead of 16" packages)?

4. What narrower 17" tire will have the same diameter as my sport package 235/45-17s? - 205/50-17, 215/45-17 or 225/45-17?

Thanks for any info you can give me!

hurricanesteve

<i>1. I understand that winter tires should be narrower than your summer tires. I read somewhere that the 16" equivalent tires for my 17-inchers is 205/55-16. If the 16" and 17" tires mentioned are the same diameter, how come there is such a fender gap when people use 17" wheels and tires with the stock suspension? Shouldn't the gap be the same as with the 16-inchers? </i>

The fender gap is just more apparent...if the tire/wheel combo is the same diameter, it is simply an optical illusion because the sidewall is shorter.

<i>2. Do I really need to get 16" wheels for my winter tires? Can't I get 17" wheels and tires - maybe 225/45 - and still get good traction? </i>

Can't help you here, doesn't snow here in Houston, sorry.

<i>3. For the last five years I have run my A4 quattro with all-weather radials: Goodyear RS/A (205/55-16) and have gotten excellent traction in the snow. Maybe they're not as good as "snow tires" in the snow, but they're better on dry roads (i.e.: highways). Since the highways are plowed very well, and I do a fair amount of highway driving, I prefer the all-weather (M+S) over pure "snows." Is there any reason I shouldn't get 17" wheels with all-weather radials for the winter (instead of 16" packages)? </i>

Sorry again, no help here.

<i>4. What narrower 17" tire will have the same diameter as my sport package 235/45-17s? - 205/50-17, 215/45-17 or 225/45-17? </i>

This is just a math problem. To calculate diameter of tire/wheel in inches:

Take first number (tire width in mm) divide by 25.4 to get inches. Multiply by aspect ratio (second number) divided by 100. Multiply by 2 (top and bottom). Then add wheel diameter.

For example: 235/45-17

235/25.4 = 9.252 in * .45 = 4.16 in * 2 = 8.32 in + 17 in = 25.32 inches.

So you can do all the calculations you want to find tires that will fit with any width or wheel size. Have fun!

Andy Hedin

<i>1. I understand that winter tires should be narrower than your summer tires. I read somewhere that the 16" equivalent tires for my 17-inchers is 205/55-16. If the 16" and 17" tires mentioned are the same diameter, how come there is such a fender gap when people use 17" wheels and tires with the stock suspension? Shouldn't the gap be the same as with the 16-inchers?</i>

<b>The gap is the same, but it's a bit of an optical illusion due to the shorter sidewall on the 17" rim making it look like the gap is greater.</b>

<i>2. Do I really need to get 16" wheels for my winter tires? Can't I get 17" wheels and tires - maybe 225/45 - and still get good traction?</i>

<b>Sure, you can get 17" winter wheels and tires. However, a 16" tire will be skinnier and thus "cut through" the snow better than a 17" wider snow tire which will "float" more on the top of the snow. Also, a 16" snow tire will provide more rim protection, especially important during the winter pothole season.</b>

<i>3. For the last five years I have run my A4 quattro with all-weather radials: Goodyear RS/A (205/55-16) and have gotten excellent traction in the snow. Maybe they're not as good as "snow tires" in the snow, but they're better on dry roads (i.e.: highways). Since the highways are plowed very well, and I do a fair amount of highway driving, I prefer the all-weather (M+S) over pure "snows." Is there any reason I shouldn't get 17" wheels with all-weather radials for the winter (instead of 16" packages)?</i>

<b>If your Spring/Summer/Fall wheel/tire setup is a performance tire (i.e., not an all-season), I personally wouldn't waste my time with an all-season tire like the RS-A for the winter. I'd go for a "high-performance" winter tire such as the Dunlop WinterSport M2, Michelin Pilot Alpin, Nokian NRW, Pirelli Winter 210/240, etc. The tread and rubber compound will be better optimized for cold weather and snow/slush/ice while still providing a "sporty" ride and decent handling on dry roads.</b>

<i>4. What narrower 17" tire will have the same diameter as my sport package 235/45-17s? - 205/50-17, 215/45-17 or 225/45-17?</i>

<b>Go to the Tire Size Calculator link posted below and you can figure this out for yourself.</b><ul><li><a href="http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html">Tire Size Calculator</a></li></ul>

A4Driver

Thanks for the info, guys! :^)

Via A4

The best A4 Tire Calculator -- Thanks to Mark's Quattrobonium website!!<ul><li><a href="http://ctny.a4.org/mark/a4/calculator/tirecalculator.html">A4 Tire Calculator</a></li></ul>