tire question

[takkar]

I'm a newbie , so i dont knwo whether this question has been asked here or not..but eher goes:I have a 2001 Nissan max Auto and it came with the 17" wheel with Potenzas on them. I had to get a new set of winter tires..so i decided to downgrade my wheel size to 16" and got winter tires on steel rims. Now, ever since I got that changed..I've noticed that my car has become slower than before and that everytime I step on the gas..the car gives a loud roaring sound ( like that of american cars) and sounds as if it is working hard to turn the winter wheels....so my question is what is heavier..stock 17" inch or 16" winter tires on steel rims ( i got tiger paw -> 205-60-R16)?

[NISTECH]

I can probably give you a brief answer but I think our tire pros could give you a better answer. Sending this to the tire forum.

[Nismo_Freak]

The reason your car feels slower is more than likely due to the difference in rotational wheel weight between the alloy 17's and the steel 16s.

As for the noise, the only thing I can think of is wheelspin, or the tires are just loud.

[Grant@tirerack]

The noise is likely due to the tire tread compound and design. I don't list any of the Tiger Paw tires in that size so I have no idea what model you are running. The steel wheels are likely a little heavier than your stock alloy wheels.