dhmoon17

17" are they okay with snow?

Zed 2.0

correct me if I'm wrong here gen2 guys, but the Audi Sport package tires are very bad with snow. At least the gen1 Pirellis are awful snow tires.

SKareKrow

mounted on some 16" steel wheels..

Marc Collins

You are correct, rim size is irrelevant...it's the tire. Stock sport 17's are not good at all

Singletrack

Yeah, just run a 225/45-17 snow tire and you will be fine.

DRG

Narrower tires with taller aspect ratio fare better in snow. They dig in better and the sideways flex contributed by the higher aspect ratio helps create a plow effect for better lateral grip. This is one reason that it is often suggested to down size by one size in going to snow tires. In considering this principle, also consider that larger diameter rims may be limited in the narrowest tires that they will accept.

Also, a smaller rim is higher off the road and thus less subject to damage from road gravel or from scuffs if you lose traction and slide into a curb.

Finally, keep in mind that removing and remounting tires from a wheel risks damage from the tire shop. The tire itself also suffers from having its bead repeatedly stretched over and over each season.

These are reasons to consider a second, separate set of wheels for winter and to not spent an excessive amount on the winter rims (going to a smaller size helps in this regard as well).