02 Q45, winter tire questions

[paul c]

if it snowed, i stayed home here in toronto. things change and this beast needs to go in snow! I have q45 premium with 18 inch so i will drop down to 17 inch. 3 questions cause I have never owned snow tires. is this beast gonna go in snow with good winter tires?what are the specs for the wheels bolts?are multi fit rims OK?

[Q45tech]

Tires are EVERYTHING in the snow and ice! Because the rubber compound must MATCH the ambient temperature to optimize friction!

Unfortunately excellent ice tires harden when used on clear highway at speed above 55 mph for extended periods when temperature is above 40-50F due to heat build up.

Special H rated winter tires are decent but still suffer from hardening after just one winter.

Just like one uses Summer tires in Summer and All Seasons in Spring and Fall one buys winter tires for winter.

[seldomseen]

Go to TireRack to read the reviews and get feedback from different snow tires. All-Season tires will not cut it and just leave you stranded or in a ditch when it snows!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Lug pattern is 5x114.3. Same as Lexus and Ford, although Lexus has a larger hub bore.

The right tires can make any car manageable in the snow. The Q with TCS can definitely be managed with good snow tires.

[LethalQ]

I too have the 18's for summer and drop down to 17's for winter and use the Firestone Winterforce on all four corners in the winters here in WA, they're 215's I think to cut the snow a little better. It will definitely be driveable for you, but noticeable ride quality decline but nothing to complain about. I used to live on the east coast where it's nice and flat and now the car goes up steep hills without any noticeable problems unless you are stomping on it.

[BadQ45t]

Bridgestone Blizzaks make the most sense, find some knock-off rims to put them on as the labor to re-mount the tires over and over again doesn't make sense.

[paul c]

thank you all. i am probably purchasing barely used winter tires for my original 245 45 18 wheels and will look for nicer used rims for my all seasons.

one more question, is it a mistake to stay with 245 45 18 for winter?

some people say changing to 225 55 17 would work much better.

opinions based on your experience?

[MinisterofDOOM]

225/17 is a good choice. Narrower tires will have better traction in snow and water.