BYates

You all probably have covered this question before, but as a Protege Club newbie, could you please give me some advice/suggestions?

Last year I bought 195/50R16 Pirelli Wintersport snow tires. It was a challenge finding tires this size; I was scared off buying different sized tires cause of the "possible effect on the odometer, Mazda warranty", etc. The tires were supposed to come mounted, but when the Internet company sent me an invoice saying the the wheels had 4 lugnuts, I just got the tires. They got mounted on my nice shiny chrome Mazda wheels.

Because I'd like them to stay nice and shiny, does anyone have a good source of where to buy steel wheels that these snow tires will fit on? And what size wheel is this for a 195/50R16 tire anyways?

Thanks for the help.

goldstar

Try www.tirerack.com for steel wheels.

a 195/50-16 tire requires a 16" diameter wheel at least 6" wide.

To see how tire size change affects speedometer readngs, go to: www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

BYates

Thanks, I'll check these 2 sites.

BYates

P.S. Does anyone have any opinion of aluminum rims vs. steel for snow tires? Someone can sell me used aluminum ones that they say will fit 02 Protege5.

goldstar

IMO, there may be two things to consider when using alloy wheels in the winter. First, winter weather can be hard on the appearance of the wheels. Snow, sand, gravel and salt can pit and destroy the finish of the wheels. Second, an increase in the number of potholes could possibly damage or even bend the rim.

Even though my sig states that I have alloy wheels, I do switch to my OEM steels and 195/55-15 tires for the winter.

02 DX Millenium Red

BYates

Thanks, you've been a great help.