Winter tires size on 13" recommendation

[Normand]

Hi all,
For the past 3 season's (winter) i haved Nokian RSI 175-70-13 on a set of Civic VX rims. I think that is a very good tire and will buy them again for my next set.

The question is size; what are the pro's and con's between these different sizes: as for everyday driving, dry and snow and ice covered.
175-70-13
165-70-13
155-80-13
145-80-13
wich of these will retain correct speedo reading !
Also i have been earing good things about the Gislaved Nordfrost 5 and the Conti-Viking 2.

thanks.

[Armin]

I'm a follower of the belief narrower is better for winter tires. 145/80 and 155/80 are the closest to the diameter of the stock 165/65R14, one is 1.4% too small, the other the same amount too big. So either one is ok for the speedometer.

I have Nokian Hakka 2 in 145/80R13. As I said, I like narrow. It also helps in the mpg department...

In fact, if I could find good 145 summer tires, I would never go back to the stock size!

[Dougie]

Why go with such wide tires when you can get 100mm snows???

http://www.michelinsport.com/sport/fron ... 05&lang=EN

[Normand]

Dougie, i don't think i can have those here in Canada also the smallest size rim is 15".

As for the smaller 145/155-80-13 i beleive it would affect road stability compare to the 175-70-13. Yes they will be better in snow but we now have snow 10 times a season at the most. I'm sort of confuse on this at the moment.

[Dougie]

I don't think the stability would be changed by any of those sizes. Tires are a lot wider today than they need to be. The original tires on a 2300 pound MGB were only 155 width.

[Armin]

Originally Posted by Normand

As for the smaller 145/155-80-13 i beleive it would affect road stability compare to the 175-70-13.

I have noticed no stability problems. Even the tramlinging is worse on the stock 165 tires than on my 145s.