What size Snow Tires and Wheel for my 2015 GSW

I am going to look for a set of snow tires and wheel for winter. I am currently running the factory 18's and doubt the 225/40 P7's are any good in the snow.

Any suggestions? I was thinking of some 16" steelies with 215/65 Blizzak's. That should keep everything spinning as if the 18's were on there, yes? Will that setup work on my car?

Anyone know what steelies will fit properly?

ritsco said:

I am going to look for a set of snow tires and wheel for winter. I am currently running the factory 18's and doubt the 225/45 P7's are any good in the snow.
Any suggestions? I was thinking of some 16" steelies with 215/65 Blizzak's. That should keep everything spinning as if the 18's were on there, yes? Will that setup work on my car?
Anyone know what steelies will fit properly?

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Order up from Tire Rack, steelies and tires mounted, balanced, road hazard , delivered right to your door. I think the package you'd be looking for is just around $700 delivered and they are sending $80 pre-paid card as rebate. *Correct size should be 215/60

People have used 215-65-16 on the Alltrack with no issues, even though size is increased a bit even over the stock "18 flavors. No difference in clearance of the alltrack vs GSW other than springs raised .5".

After ordering once or twice from tirerack, I've since just found a local shop that sells nokians and prices are very comparable and the convenience factor is too easy. They changed a curbed rim in 15 min before they closed, I was planning on leaving it over night and picking it up the next day.

I live an hour away from one of the Tire Rack warehouse centers, so I take advantage of that every chance I get. I have saved quite a bit by buying tires up there and mounting and balancing myself (I am lucky and have access to that equipment).

So what earlier VW wheels will work for my snows?

Any vw wheels from '06 onward should be 5x112 mm and fit. I have mercedes 5x112 rims on my golf with hub adapter rings. They have less offset and give a slightly wider stance.

You want a narrower tire for snows. Smaller contact patch increases the pressure at the four corners giving better traction. If I lived where I needed dedicated winter tires, I'd use 195/65-15s. Just my 2¢ But I'm an engineer, so what do I know?

1854sailor said:

You want a narrower tire for snows. Smaller contact patch increases the pressure at the four corners giving better traction. If I lived where I needed dedicated winter tires, I'd use 195/65-15s. Just my 2¢ But I'm an engineer, so what do I know?

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It would depend on if you have a wagon or not. Bigger brakes won't allow the 15' wheels to clear the calipers on some cars. I'm not aware of anyone who has had problems with the 16" size. Yeah, an engineer as well.

Okay then, just checked Tire Rack and 195/60-16s are available. Bridgestone Blizzak, Michelin X-ICE and Yokohama Iceguard.

Mike in Anchorage said:

It would depend on if you have a wagon or not. Bigger brakes won't allow the 15' wheels to clear the calipers on some cars. I'm not aware of anyone who has had problems with the 16" size. Yeah, an engineer as well.

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Huh?

The GSW Tendline (or S in the US) comes with 15" wheels.

The Tortoise said:

Huh?
The GSW Tendline (or S in the US) comes with 15" wheels.

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My S came with 16's, maybe I got lucky but all the S cars at my dealership came with 16 alloys. I think he was referring to if he got non-OEM wheels that were smaller.

the 2009-14 Sportwagens had larger rotors of the GTI that needed 16" rims.

The Mk7 Sportwagen from '15 onward have the smaller rotors, prob due to the weight savings of the MK7 platform.

I had a '16 TSI S as a loner that had alloy 15" running 195-65-15.

The Alltrack has the same rotors as the GTI and requires 16"

My GSW SEL came stock with 18" wheels and 225/40 tires. I may have access to a set of 225/45 17 snows on proper wheels. Will they work on my car (40 series 18" vs 45 series 17")??

Sorry for asking what may be stupid questions, but I like my car and I intend on keeping her for quite a while.

Thanks

740GLE said:

the 2009-14 Sportwagens had larger rotors of the GTI that needed 16" rims.

The Mk7 Sportwagen from '15 onward have the smaller rotors, prob due to the weight savings of the MK7 platform.

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Probably more of a cost saving measure. The gsw is only 80 lbs. lighter than the jsw. And the GTI is lighter than both.

ritsco said:

I live an hour away from one of the Tire Rack warehouse centers, so I take advantage of that every chance I get. I have saved quite a bit by buying tires up there and mounting and balancing myself (I am lucky and have access to that equipment).

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When I buy through the Denver warehouse they come already balanced

Funguy said:

When I buy through the Denver warehouse they come already balanced

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Uh, yes, but only if you also buy wheels... Some of us only need tires...

OIC. I think the OP is changing tire size though so he will need wheels this time.

Did you ever find a way to dim the steering wheel lights? Stuff like that, once I notice it drives me nuts. I think it was my 02 Jetta that the blue high beam indicator used to drive me nuts.

Funguy said:

...Did you ever find a way to dim the steering wheel lights?...

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No, still looking. I really liked that feature on the Passat.

740GLE said:

the 2009-14 Sportwagens had larger rotors of the GTI that needed 16" rims.
The Mk7 Sportwagen from '15 onward have the smaller rotors, prob due to the weight savings of the MK7 platform.
I had a '16 TSI S as a loner that had alloy 15" running 195-65-15.
The Alltrack has the same rotors as the GTI and requires 16"

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I didn't even think to check rotor sizes when I got the '15. I have noted the braking seems to be less robust, but I thought I just hadn't burnished them enough yet. Hmmmmm. With four people and gear in the car - that may take a much harder foot pressure. Good to know. Thanks.

OK, not sure what I am the new owner of, but I just good a pretty good deal on a set of wheels and snows. They are really nice looking, with no damage, curbing, etc, and are in fantastic condition.

The wheels look to be OEM VW and are marked as follows: 8Jx17H2, ET 41, 3C8 601 025A, AIS i7 Mgwa, VW 034 K1, 10!!!!!!!!, 09!!!!!!!!, BORBET BTG, Germany)

The snow are Conti ExtremeWinter Contact, size 235/45x17. They have about 7/32nd tread, nicely and evenly worn across all surfaces.

I haven't test fit them yet, but hopefully they will work on my GSW. Owner says they were used on an R32 for two winters before he stopped driving the car during the winters. I think they came off a Passat CC, but I can't find the wheel or what it was on. It looks like an Interlogos, but it is slightly different.

Should fit, little narrow on side wall for my preference.

I'm pretty much decided to go with 205-65-16 for the Alltrack, another owner runs 215-65-16 with no issues, but I have 16X6.5 rims an don't want to the tire to be too bulbous.

Yeah, I looked at some 16" steelies and snows, but for the same price, actually less in this case, I got a really nice set of 17" wheels and snows. For deep nasty stuff, I have a diesel K5 Blazer, so I am covered either way. Just trying not to ruin the 18's that came with the car.

Related to this tire change, the snows I have are a bit larger in rolling circumference than my summer tires. Is there an way way to modify the odometer for the tires size to be more accurate with the speedometer and odometer? I don't have VAG COM, so wonder if there is a way to do this without needing one. I'll be changing back and forth about every 6 months. Bicycle computers have a way to input tire size to be more accurate. TIA.

Mike in Anchorage said:

Related to this tire change, the snows I have are a bit larger in rolling circumference than my summer tires. Is there an way way to modify the odometer for the tires size to be more accurate with the speedometer and odometer? I don't have VAG COM, so wonder if there is a way to do this without needing one. I'll be changing back and forth about every 6 months. Bicycle computers have a way to input tire size to be more accurate. TIA.

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There is a snow tire menu in the MFD actually to adjust.