Should I be looking for winter rims and tire or will the OEM aluminums hold up to southern Ontario salty winters?

If winter rims are recommended do I need to maintain the same size (20") or can I go down to 18" ?

thx.

 

It's really personal preferance as to whether you want your OEM rims to remain perfect. The 275-55-20's will have no trouble in the winter, but over time the weather will cause some wear and tear on the aluminum rims.

If you decide to go with winter wheels/tires you can go down to the 18", but you have to keep the tire diameter similiar/same so your speedometer stays accurate. A 275-65-18 would be closest in diameter with a 265-65-18 being the next closest.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

neil,
Thanks so much for the feedback and link it helps to narrow my tire/rim search for sure>

 

Formula Jg: In Canada it is nice to have winter tires. Depends where you live exactly. I know from driving the 400, it can get pretty slick there too. Or that "little" storm they had last year in cottage country. We were lucky in Alberta with little snow this past winter.

There are lots of used 18" F150 rims for sale. Just check Kijiji, etc. I bought some 2004 rims and new Blizzaks for my 2009. Ended up going with a 255/70/18 for winters which is equal diameter to the 275/65/18 OEMs. You may need the TPMS sensors though. AND, since S Ontario puts one grain of salt down for every flake of snow, I'd say save your good rims for summer.

1010tires.com is good out of BC (good tire size calculator as well) but you'll never beat the prices of the USA if our dollar ever gets back to par.

 

I have 18" Fx2 sport rims with tpms 4 sale if your interested..

 

LKR,
Those rims look to good for winter. What condition are they in? Please PM me with your asking price.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

PM sent