Winter tire help!

[tooloon]

Hello,

Anyone know what size winter tire I should get for my 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport? The OE tire size is 245/40/19! I was thinking of getting 245/45/18 but Im worried how that size tire will grip in the bad weather? Anyone?

Alex

[szh]

Anyone know what size winter tire I should get for my 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport? The OE tire size is 245/40/19! I was thinking of getting 245/45/18 but Im worried how that size tire will grip in the bad weather? Anyone?

With good quality winter tires, that will be fine! Although you could get something narrower, as long as the load index is higher than 95.

Different wheels needed, of course (since they are 18" and your current wheels are 19"). And, yes, for ease, I do recommend having a separate set of wheels for winter use!

Z

[M45-Zero260]

Hello,

Like szhosain stated, any quality winter tires will be sufficient, and getting them mounted on 18" wheels for Winter time will be convienent and save your 19's for the better months.

I recently stated before that I have purchased a set off of ebay for my 2003 M45 from a gentleman that had the below wheels mounted on his G35 Sport that had 19" OEM wheels for 7-8 months out of the year. He was extreemly happy with the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires that he had mounted on 18x8 wheels, but his lease was up, so he no longer needed them. I put them on to make sure they fit ok, and to take a couple of quick pics. They are 225/45/VR18 Fronts and 245/45/VR18 Rears. I hope they will work out ok for me for this upcoming winter, surly will be better than the Michelin pilots that I have on there now (and hopefully it will save my chrome rims from the harsh salt too). I scored the entire set for $480, picked up for free, and there is plenty of tread left!

[John2]

I have a 2006 M35x that came with the 18" wheels and tires. I found a used set of 18" winters that a guy had been using on his M45. I plan to move to 19" or 20" summers at some point in the future, but stick with the 18" winters.

Tooloon, if I was in your shoes (FWIW) I'd definitely go with a set of 18" rims with winter tires for the winter.

You'll also have to figure out whether you want to have the winter rims mounted with the TPMS sensors, or just skip that function for the winter, but that's a longer discussion.

john a

[daveM45]

I have a 2007 M45. I went with a tirerack supplied package rims and Blizzak LM25's on 18".

The traction in snow/ice is about the same as the all season OEM Goodyears when they were new - which is decent, not great. They're quiet, with good dry traction (for snows), and excellent wet/slush traction.

The only other winter treads I tried were some 16" Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2on a GS400. Those had much better ice/snow traction but were bad, almost to the point of being dangerous, on dry roads. I kicked in the traction control by accident more often on dry roads then snow.

Had Michelin Pilot A/S's as well (17" but again on GS400). They can get you home in light snow but will never make it through a real winter.

[szh]

Had Michelin Pilot A/S's as well (17" but again on GS400). They can get you home in light snow but will never make it through a real winter.

Exactly right! I am using these tires right now and I agree with this assessment ...

In true snow country, I would strongly recommend true snow tires. Almost anything from Bridgestone, Michelin or Dunlop (among others) will be a good thing to do.

Z

[antzrus]

Hello,

Anyone know what size winter tire I should get for my 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport? The OE tire size is 245/40/19! I was thinking of getting 245/45/18 but Im worried how that size tire will grip in the bad weather? Anyone?

Alex

I've got all season ContiExtremeContacts @ 245/45/18 and I couldn't be happier. I've been through some very deep snow a number of times and I couldn't have asked for better. They are relatively inexpensive, good for all year, but I don't think they'll last as long as other premium all season tires; according to others I've read about on the Internet. We'll see.

[SteveTheTech]

Ahh and that's the reason I moved out of the north.

I have seen a lot of them in use and the Blizzaks seem to be the one people have the least amount of trouble with. They wear pretty slowly two as one customer in particular has used them year round on his Q for a little over two years.

These cars are great in sunny warm weather but the M especially the 45 is a trip to drive in the slush and ice and forget about the snow even with snow tires. If your not in a hurry it can be pretty fun though.

[Cutlass442]

If you put new tires and wheels for winter, do you have to buy something to make the tire pressure monitoring system work or does it just not work with alternate wheels?

Thanks

[szh]

If you put new tires and wheels for winter, do you have to buy something to make the tire pressure monitoring system work or does it just not work with alternate wheels?

Thanks

You can buy additional transmitters for the new wheels.

My approach would be far simpler: just measure the pressure regularly with a good gauge and adjust it. Once every 2 weeks or so, or if the weather temperature changes drastically. Cold measurement as always.

Z