Hello, and a tire recommendation question

1809 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by jetfuel, Nov 16, 2017

zimagold

Discussion Starter · Nov 13, 2017

Hi guys, for the past 3 years, I've been maintaining my girlfriend's 451 here in Vancouver, BC. We only have one parking spot at our apartment, so I've given up my ride (SLK230) and this is our only car for now.

I've read through the numerous threads about changing up the tires and have learned a lot, but I thought I'd ask for a recommendation anyways. I've ordered a set of rear wheels, planning to run the same size on all four corners. After the horrible winter last year, I figured I better get this car ready to tackle some unexpected weather. I think I'll give all weather tires a try and have settled on the Kumho Solus H31 based on price and availability.

Would you guys recommend sticking with 175/55/15 or go to 195/50/15? They will be mounted on stock 9-spoke rear wheels (5.5). Thanks for any input!

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jwight

· #2 · Nov 13, 2017

Do you expect another bad winter? Not sure what that involves in BC but you might consider that all weather tires are not true winter tires, and wider tires have a tougher time with snow than narrower tires.

lebikerboy

· #3 · Nov 13, 2017

zimagold said:
Hi guys, for the past 3 years, I've been maintaining my girlfriend's 451 here in Vancouver, BC. We only have one parking spot at our apartment, so I've given up my ride (SLK230) and this is our only car for now.

I've read through the numerous threads about changing up the tires and have learned a lot, but I thought I'd ask for a recommendation anyways. I've ordered a set of rear wheels, planning to run the same size on all four corners. After the horrible winter last year, I figured I better get this car ready to tackle some unexpected weather. I think I'll give all weather tires a try and have settled on the Kumho Solus H31 based on price and availability.

Would you guys recommend sticking with 175/55/15 or go to 195/50/15? They will be mounted on stock 9-spoke rear wheels (5.5). Thanks for any input!

We ran Vredestein Quatrac 3's on our 2006 from almost new until we sold it recently
Now, we've installed Quatrac 5's on our 2017 ED and they are amazing tires's.

They are available here...
https://www.quattrotires.com/tires-stagger/vredestein-quatrac-5/22656/22585

jetfuel

· #4 · Nov 14, 2017

..as stated above ...the wider the tires the more difficult it will be to handle properly in the snow as the wider tires can't get down to the pavement as the thin pizza cutters in front of the 451...

Jetfuel...snow...a four letter word...

lebikerboy

· #5 · Nov 14, 2017

Our winter last year wasn't bad as far as snow goes...It was the ice which hung around
after the snowfall. What we had was a lot of rain (as we usually do) and, that's where the
all condition tires (snow flake approval) shine.

InjuredAgain

· #6 · Nov 14, 2017

If you only had to have one set of wheels, then I'd recommend the Kumho Solus HA-31 in size 185/55-15. That's a good, compromise tire size for a vehicle that weighs around 2000 pounds. You said "H31" and I don't know if that's the same tire or not, but I have heard from a couple of people that the HA-31 is a pretty decent tire with better than typical snow performance.

zimagold

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 14, 2017

InjuredAgain said:
If you only had to have one set of wheels, then I'd recommend the Kumho Solus HA-31 in size 185/55-15. That's a good, compromise tire size for a vehicle that weighs around 2000 pounds. You said "H31" and I don't know if that's the same tire or not, but I have heard from a couple of people that the HA-31 is a pretty decent tire with better than typical snow performance.

Oops, sorry yes I meant the Kumho Solus HA-31. I did consider 185/55-15 as well. You're right, perhaps that is a good compromise in between. 195s are at the limit of what the wheel size can handle, although it sounds like lots of people have made that combination work and it's the closest to the original size. 185/60-15 has the most options (some at really great prices), but I'm not sure if I feel comfortable with the potential rubbing and +5.1% difference.

My girl just started working as a flight attendant and I need make sure I can get her to the airport reliably, sometimes in the middle of the night. That's why I'm getting ready for this winter. Last year was rough ... got stuck on side streets a few times on the stock Continentals. Luckily, I was always able to give it a push and get out. The other option is of course to put true winter tires on, but these all-weathers seem more suited for our climate (mostly rain, a few days of snow and ice).

Thanks for the other comments. I've never heard of Vredestein tires. It's great to have so many more options once we start looking at sizes other than stock

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InjuredAgain

· #8 · Nov 14, 2017

I used 185/55-15 on a 6.5" wide rim and that's a perfect fit. The general recommendation is for a 195 wide tire on a 7" rim. Since this is a car you need to help you get around and not one on which you seem to have a sporting performance goal for, probably a 175/60-15 is a better choice. That would just about make your speedometer accurate and the narrower width is both a better fit for the rim and better in the snow, but the HA-31 doesn't seem to come in that size. So 185/55-15 seems to be the best option.

Good luck.

albertlastsmart

· #9 · Nov 14, 2017

Tires + traction control...............

If tires alone will not get you there,try pulling fuze#11.(disable traction control) Little car can almost OFF-ROAD then...........

jimvw57

· #10 · Nov 14, 2017

Just a word of caution about pulling the fuse, It will also disable your anti-lock brakes. just so you are informed.

Another unknown feature of the 451, hold both buttons next to the speedometer and turn on the key. (you need 3 hands for this) and TCS will be disabled until you shut off the car and restart it.

jetfuel

· #11 · Nov 14, 2017

jimvw57 said:
..... (you need 3 hands for this).

....or really big hands....

Jetfuel...big shoes too....

jzchen

· #12 · Nov 15, 2017

jimvw57 said:
Just a word of caution about pulling the fuse, It will also disable your anti-lock brakes. just so you are informed.

Another unknown feature of the 451, hold both buttons next to the speedometer and turn on the key. (you need 3 hands for this) and TCS will be disabled until you shut off the car and restart it.

jetfuel said:
....or really big hands....

Jetfuel...big shoes too....

Joke, or no joke? Bumped into someone at the local O'Reilly's that said some jiggy dance did the same thing on Mercedes, (or was it BMW). (I'm afraid I didn't believe him.)

If no joke, does this also disable the anti-lock brakes?

(Might be helpful to a stuck OP)...

jimvw57

· #13 · Nov 15, 2017

No joke. it will shut off the traction control, but also the anti-lock brakes. I wouldn't suggest this for driving down the road but if you get stuck and need some extra push or to spin the wheels to clear out the snow...

It is designed to need 2 people to hold at least one button and turn the key. You can do it alone by using a couple of pencils in one hand and turn the key with the other. (done that) the traction light stays on until you shutoff the car and restart. Easier than pulling the fuse.

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f4/disabling-esp-2884/index6.html

Reactions: 1

1983JZR3W

· #14 · Nov 16, 2017

I remember some years ago, a member cut a small piece of wood that was notched so that he could press both buttons at the same time. It seemed to work for him. Might be worth a search to find the specs on the homemade disabler.

jetfuel

· #15 · Nov 16, 2017

..OMG Jim...reading that thread (http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f4/disabling-esp-2884/index6.html) brought back some serious memories by just seeing the user names

Jetfuel....where are they now??????

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