FocusCanada Forums

So the snow is on the way and i installed my 195/60/15 winter tires + 15" steelies on. I noticed that the winter tires + steelies felt heavier when lifting it vs my 16" 205/50/16 stock pirelli's and alloy wheels.

But when i drove the car after installing the winters, the car felt lighter, the steering wheel felt lighter so does anyone know why this is the case when the winter wheels + tires are heavier than the stock alloys?

Smaller diameter maybe makes for better handling?

^^like old guy said narrow tires, plus the tread is spaced out a lot more for snow so there is less contact with the road. It took me a couple of hours of driving to get used to the snows again. I do know that my winter rims and tires are lighter then my stock 16's though.

oh that makes sense. But even though my winters + steelies are heavier than my stocks.....handling will be lighter cuz of the smaller diameter and narrow tires?

Actually when i compared the height of my 195/60/15 with my stock 205/50/16s they were actually the same height! So it's probably not the diameter but more so the 195 width vs 205 width.

Since the tread is spread out more less surface area, feels less stable. Is that what you meen?

well it doesn't feel less stable...just that i noticed the car felt lighter (including the steering wheel) even though i added on 4 heavier tires + wheels lol so i wasn't sure why that was the case.

Its normal, just takes a bit to get used to.

A skinnier tire feels easier to turn than a wider tire. There is less contact patch friction when turning.

Also with the taller side wall on the tire, there is more give, so it feels different in its handling.

Plus, the Pirellis would have a stiffer sidewall and tread than your snows, so the rubber composition is way different.

yeah i've noticed the ride isn't as smooth cuz of the winter tires but the steering is really light.

I don't know if its cuz of the heavier tires/wheels or cuz its winter gas now but i'm getting less mpg on the tank now. I'm guessing its cuz of the winter tires/steelies.

I am getting seriously sick of all the weird crap with my focus. My g/f has an 05 ZX5 and i bought FORD steel rims in a 4x108 bolt pattern. Put on the winter tires and took them to be mounted. BUT THEY DIDN'T FIT!!!!!
the f***in OFRD rims didnt fit...they rims didn't clear the god damn front caliper. I'm fed up.

shogun99,Nov 26 2008, 10:30 PM Wrote:I am getting seriously sick of all the weird crap with my focus. My g/f has an 05 ZX5 and i bought FORD steel rims in a 4x108 bolt pattern. Put on the winter tires and took them to be mounted. BUT THEY DIDN'T FIT!!!!!
the f***in OFRD rims didnt fit...they rims didn't clear the god damn front caliper. I'm fed up.
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Sorry man but it sounds like you got 14" steelies ... it's been posted in and around here dozens of times that only 15" fit the '05 plus Focus ... if a dealer sold you 14" rims for an '05 they should give you your money back.

I do remeber reading that the Escort and Mystic offsets were less(in towards the hub more). Maybe they had those and said aaaa they're the same.

Escort rims do not fit.. they are 4x100 bolt pattern...

Contour /Mystique 15" rims fit perfectly, I had a set from a 95 Contour on my 05 ST and now it has a set off of a 98 Contour on it... cheap way to get winter aluminum rims...
I never tried 14" though.. i'm guessing it will have the same issues with clearance

shogun...you need 15 steelies for an 05 up.. # 8S4Z-1007-D $79.95ea

And yeah winter tires are softer (more friction), less stiffness in the sidewall and COLDER weather KILLS your milage
Anytime you put a smaller (narrower) tire on your car its makes it easier to turn as said above by dBlast less contact.. you might also notice that the car is not "crown" sensitive to the lanes of the road as much