Looks like there are no more high quality snow tires being made in the stock insight size. Both the Blizzak and the Nokian are out of production for good.
My tire dealer recommended going up a size, as that would open up a world of good snow tire options. But I have always been a believer in going down a size for winter tire use, not up. Especially on something as light as an Insight.
That all being said, has anyone ever gone up to a 175 in the winter? How did it run? Any recommendations?
Looks like there are no more high quality snow tires being made in the stock insight size. Both the Blizzak and the Nokian are out of production for good.
My tire dealer recommended going up a size, as that would open up a world of good snow tire options. But I have always been a believer in going down a size for winter tire use, not up. Especially on something as light as an Insight.
That all being said, has anyone ever gone up to a 175 in the winter? How did it run? Any recommendations?
I will run 175's for the first time this winter; Blizzak WS60.
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Silver '00 MT
90.2 LMPG
80+ psi in RE92's for the past 2 years without incident
Calpod switch
Warm air mod
Grill block
EPS fuse removed
FAS/fuel injector interrupt circuit
grid charger
OBDII C&C gauge
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Silver '00 MT
90.2 LMPG
80+ psi in RE92's for the past 2 years without incident
Calpod switch
Warm air mod
Grill block
EPS fuse removed
FAS/fuel injector interrupt circuit
grid charger
OBDII C&C gauge
Turns out that Nokian makes a 155/65-14 in the Hakkapeliitta R line. Very low rolling resistance, and VERY low weight. Only 12.8 lbs per tire, or about 5 pounds less than the bridgestone in 175/65-14. Interesting...
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2000 Insight. 103,000 km and increasing quickly. New Formula Red.
I run Michelin X-Ice 185/60x15 oversize snow tires on 4x100 6.5" 40mm OT rims. They weigh 32lbs a corner. They were spare from another small Japanese vehicle with similar bolt pattern and fit so I used them. I didn't install the fender skirts for winter as the clearance was deemed way too close.[1/8"] X-Ice are fairly quiet on most surfaces to my ear, but that's all relative. Handling is quite excellent and I'd buy X-Ice twice.
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I'd go with a wider tire in general for more winter grip plus better selection. I did a test with my 1650lb ice race car years back and found 185/60 blizzack ws-50 made for faster lap times than 155/80 on ice, testing back to back.
I also run the X-ice 185x60x14 tires. They fit fine on the Insight, although there is a good ~10-15% drop in MPG. I haven't driven them in the snow yet with the Insight, but last season I used them on a Honda Fit and they worked great.
Surely you want a narrower tyre? More chance of getting through the snow to the road underneath?
It's all a matter of availability. On this side of the pond, the smallest regular tire size is now a 175/65-14. The two quality snow tires that used to be available (the Bridgestone Blizzak and the Nokian Hakkapelitta) have both been discontinued. Nokian made an oddball in a 155/65-14, but there is no availability anywhere in Canada.
So it becomes a matter of making do with the best option available.
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2000 Insight. 103,000 km and increasing quickly. New Formula Red.
Indeed, I found this set for cheap on Craigslist back when I had a Fit. Since they fit on theInsight.. Why not use them? Wheel spats still fit on them.
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Anyone run oversize snow tires?
