My best advice is to contact the people at http://www.TireRack.com or http://www.tires.com and talk to them about winter tire packages. Usually it's better to go with 1" smaller wheels and slightly thinner tires. So I'd go with 16" wheels and slightly thinner tires that are still the same overall height.

 

Thank you.

 

I recommend getting P195/65R15 with steel wheels.

 

What works in Montreal ought to work here in Central NY.


Any specific reasons for using 15" over 16" recommended by another poster?

Thx.

 

They'll be cheaper. Just make sure 15" wheels will clear the calipers.

Personally, I think 205/60-15 would be the best size because it's closest to the 215/45-17 tire height. 195/65-15 are 1.4% taller.

Original tire = 215/45-17 626 mm

15" tires:
195/65-15 635 mm (1.4% taller)
205/60-15 627 mm (0.2% taller)
205/65-15 647 mm (3.4% taller)
215/60-15 639 mm (2.1% taller)

16" tires:
215/55-16 642 mm (2.6% taller)
225/50-16 632 mm (1.0% taller)

 

This is extremely helpful advice and I thank you very much.

My only remaining question is the smartest way to insure the proper fit at the best price.

I could buy the wheels and tires online from TireRack, get a deal, and gamble they will clear the calipers.

Or could buy both tires and rims locally and get them fitted simultaneously - more expensive but no gamble.

Or buy the rims online and buy/fit the tires locally?

Choices, choices, eh?

Thanks again!

 

TireRack is good about testing their wheels and knowing what fits and what doesn't. If they offer 15" wheels for your car you can be sure they will fit. They won't sell you stuff that doesn't fit.

Plus, I was just checking Hyundai's website and the 2010 base GL Touring comes with 15" steel wheels so I'm sure the 15" aftermarket wheels will fit.

 

We're running the 195/65-15 Blizzak WS-60s on steel wheels from TireRack and are very happy with the combo. Also considered the Michelin X-Ice, but went with the Blizzaks because of previous good experience with the WS-50s. We picked them up from the warehouse is South Bend, as we live only a short way from there. We've had quite a bit ice and snow this season and they have performed very well. I've been able to to drive safely on the US 20 Bypass when others were sliding all over the road.

There are no clearance issues, the calipers don't rub. Hope this helps.

 

Lucky you,
We can"t use studded tires in my area.

 

here is Arkansas we just had a winter storm, freezing rain making everything a sheet of ice followed by four inches of snow. I am running the OEM tires and I used to run Western region for US Express shuttlign trailers over Donnoe rpass in the winter so I am familiar with winter driving. While the snow wasn't deep the layer of ice presented some challenges. I must say that after having to get out in the mess the cars ESC/TC function totally transforms winter driver.

I found some deserted areas and did some emergency braking from 40-0. No loss of control, rapid yet straight deceleration- very confident feeling. Actually being able to do some controlled braking on ice is going to save a lot of lives. Hyundai is ahead of the game here making ESC standard equipment.