Winter tyre size for 2011 Sport

[TonyM]

Recently purchased a 2011 Sport estate running on the standard 225/45 18 wheels. I'm planning to buy a second-hand set of smaller alloys to fit higher profile winter tyres but I'm a bit concerned about buying something that doesn't fit.

The owner's manual seems to suggest I can only go down to 215/50 17 or 215/55 17 on the 2.2 HP engine, whereas I've read here that a few people have fitted 16's ok. Can anyone confirm what size 16's do (or don't) fit?

Also, do wheels for the Mazda 3 and 3rd gen Mazda 6 fit ok? I'm interested in some like these for the 215/55 17's:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-3-17-Inch-Alloy-Wheels-Brand-New-/221559559560

[makkmartono]

You can go down to 16" but the car won't be as sporty to drive. You need to get the exact wheel for the car otherwise you need to get fitting kit for the rims. 215/60 R16 is very similar to your current set up.
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

[SM25T]

My 2011 Sport tourer is great on 16" rims and taller (60) profile tyres ... i got them new from Wheelbase Alloys in the NW.

Order on line. There is a page that tells you what you need when you enter your car details and shows designs available when you enter 16". Offers packages with standard or winter tyres.

Helpful staff on phone too if you want to be sure you have selected the right size.

New alloys (hundreds of designs) and winter tyres ... come ready fitted and balanced. Only around £700-800 per set of 4 

The taller profile tyre matches the rolling diameter of the 18" 45-profile tyre and is so much nicer to drive as it absorbs the bumps and potholes much better.

Standard 18" rims with 225-45-18 ... Winter use 16" rims with 215-60-16

[TonyM]

Great, thanks for that. Just needed to know the 16's wouldn't foul on the brakes or anything else.

I had an OEM winter wheel and tyre package direct from BMW on my last car so figured I would do the same again, but my local Mazda dealership only offered winter 225/45 18's for my current rims.

I'll look at Wheelbase. Used to get all my tyres from Event Tyres, but since moving house I found they don't deliver as far north as York.

[SM25T]

Plenty of room for 16" rims.

Wheelbase are very good !

Just about to order another set of 4 for wife's new car

[TonyM]

Will the TPMS system be an issue if I get new wheels without sensors? Would it help to buy secondhand Mazda wheels?

[TonyM]

I didn't word that last post very well. Just want to know if I need to get new TPMS valves in addition to the wheels & tyres.

[SM25T]

I didn't bother. The orange warning light comes on and stays on. Out of sight behind my steering wheel.

My local tyre place sells TPMS valves/transmitters and has the manufacturers codes ... think they said around £120 for a set of 4.

That is probably a lot cheaper than a main dealer ?

[TonyM]

Thanks for all the advice. I've decided on a secondhand set of 16" Mazda alloys complete with decent 205/60 winter tyres that I'm picking up this weekend.

[TonyM]

Turns out I bought the 16" wheels & winter tyres from another forum member (185_jools) which was a surprising coincidence.

I was talking to my local dealership today about the tyre pressure label on my car - it only shows info for the 225/45R18's, whereas with other cars I've owned I would have expected to see info for other sizes. He said the label only covers the wheels/tyres that come with my car, and if I want to change size I need to ask for a new label!

When I mentioned I had bought a set of 16's he immediately said they will not fit, although he has now sent an email query to Mazda to check. I want to believe the advice from the forum, but I'm hesitant to go against the manufacturer's recommendation in the event of any issue down the line such as warranty or insurance etc.

I've not yet tried to fit the wheels as it's still a bit mild, even up north.

[Flying KD]

Hi
Your 16" rims will fit, I have an older MAZDA 6 alloy as my spare and have used it with no clearance issues. Tyre pressures are trial and error, usually somewhere around 28--30 psi (2 Bar) see how the car handles and adjust to taste! TPMS light will be on as the sensors are not there to transmit, a little piece of insulating tape neatly stuck to the panel will take your eye off it, then remove when original wheels are refitted.

[SM25T]

TonyM .. they will fit.

Dealer wants to sell you something he can make money on.

Just do it.

The handbook in my car details the tyre pressures for all shapes and sizes of wheel and tyre combination. so ..... RTFM 

[TonyM]

Having re-RTFM very carefully again I'd agree that 205/60R16 92V is listed under the diesel engine section for standard tyres, with no restrictions, so on that basis I accept that the wheels will fit.

TBH I was looking only at the winter tyre section that has loads of fine print with qualifications on which tyre sizes you can run depending on the power output. In this section the 2.2L DE HP engine is notably absent from the 205/60R16 and even the 225/45R18 sizes, offering only 215/50R17 and 215/55R17 as compatible sizes, which is why I originally started this discussion. Quite why Mazda think you can run the lower power engines on 16"s or 18"s in mud & snow but not the 180hp seems odd.

Anyway I'm happy that my purchased wheels will fit and I can get on with enjoying the car. Thanks again for everyone's help.

[185_jools]

Hi Tony, glad your pleased.
I ran the tyres at 35PSI allround.  It is common for winter wheels to be 1 or 2 inches smaller in diameter than summer tyres due the increased cost.
They also work better on snow as more weight is concentrated on a smaller tyre footprint. You'll probably see another 2 mpg on them too, as I did, due to the reduced contact area.
This is likely to be my last post on the forum, due to selling the car (and winter wheels) having gone back to a VAG car.
So here's a pic of my old car on your new wheels, just to put your mind completely to rest that they fit a Sport.
 

[TonyM]

They're on. They fit. Now I can start the long-term project for fitting a spare under the boot floor.