hello guys!I am a newcomer to this site and I want first to congratulate Brad for his works,it's the best site on the net
my question is for those who'll drive their stang this winter! will you keep your mag with 235/55/r17 winter tire or with a narrower tire 225/55/r17 or will you buy a 7 inches rim with 215/65/r16? i need help!!!

 

Definetely a good question for those who will drive the Pony during the winter. I have an old beater Jeep for that purpose. I can recommend, highly, I might add, Bridgestone Blizzaks. I used 'em in the winter before and they are fantastic.

 

I drove my stock 99 GT tires in the winter and they stinked! I would definitely recommend something else....though I don't have any ideas to recommend. Just don't use stock tires.

 

I believe with the GT you can't go smaller with 17" wheel diameter.

as for tire choice, I would think the skinnier the better, to dig into the snow better

 

B) if you see the tire size calculator, the diameter difference is only 0.63...under 3 percent it works perfectly

 

Galaxie is correct.

The narrower tires are the best. Also put your money into a good snow tire.

not allseason.

 

You cant' go for R16 because of the size of teh disc.

I plan to puschase X-Ice 215/60/17.

 

I agree.. Bridgestone Blizzaks are the bomb Get yourself some cheap rims, pop the winter tires on and there you go. And you won't mess up your nice rims by doing this.. nor would it be a huge hassle to have the tires broken down each time you switch.

 

Hi I buying my auto GT to be driven year round in the winter. This is my first new car and I have never messed with rims/tires before. Could somone please explain the nummbers to me.

For instance I know from the brochure that the mustang comes with P235/55W/R17

What does P235 and 55W mean? I am assuming R17 means 17 inch rims.

 

P-passenger vehicle
235-width of tire in mm
55 - size of the sidewall, its the percentage of the width, so the sidewall height is 55% of 235
W-speed rating of the tire
17-diameter of the rim

Edit: Added more info on speed ratings and their typical uses

N 87 mph 140 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

 

I am taking the factory tires off the rim and selling them. I will replace them with 235 Blizzaks and buy new rims and tires for the summer. I put Blizzaks on my 97 GT after going nowhere with the factory tires in the snow. Blizzaks make a HUGE difference. I live in Canada where we tend to get a lot of snow and there has only been a few days each year that I couldn't drive, then again, hardly anyone could.

 

Woohoo, Mach 1 Member status. :w00t:

 

A nice set of winter tires and wheels usually costs more then an old beater 4x4 or fwd car you can buy for the winter.

 

I agree but I just don't feel as cool driving the pinto.

 

I agree but I just don't feel as cool driving the pinto. [/b][/quote]
I dont like dirty suspensions and exhaust under my 'nice' car either. B) Here, you will be the one idiot out in a mustang getting passed and honked at by armies of Expys, Navs, x5's, Slades, and h2's. Then again, I just grab whatever 4x used truck we have on the lot and take that home

 

I dont like dirty suspensions and exhaust under my 'nice' car either. B) [/b][/quote]
I am glad it doesn't snow here.

 

That's true until you need to find a place to park your car, etc. etc.

it all adds up, but who knows I might luck out and find a corner in the shop where I can park my car.

I can see the look on my parents faces now "you bought a $38,000CDN car to drive it 8-9 months out of the year "

 

Yes and no... I think it evens out

Got the 4 snow tires at Sears... they were on clearance, I think I got all 4 for $400.. and just used my V6 stock rims, used that combo for winter... and found an awesome deal on some 40th anniversary Bullitts WITH tires, never been on a car... for $475 and use that combo for the rest of the year

I'm not very mechanical... so for me to get a beater car and have the fear of it breaking down during winter is worse for me than having my Mustang on winter tires.

Just depends on the person and what types of deal they can get

 

Nokian Hakkapeliitta's all the way. Hakkapeliitta's are quite possibly the best snow tire money can buy.

I would recommend them over Blizzacks any day.

 

It never ceases to amuse me when I'm happily motoring down the highway in my Arctic Alpin shod Mustang and I see a supposedly invincible SUV stuck in the ditch. 4 wheel drive will certainly help accelleration in the snow, but it does little for handling, and nothing at all for braking. There's no substitute for a good set of 4 snow tires.

Of course, if you can afford to put snows on your winter beater, it's a whole nother story....