seinsmeld13

[QUOTE=carbuff_2;24006428]I was thinking about putting 17" wheels for winter on my 2011 S4 when I get it (hopefully) at the end of this month. I was planning to ask my dealer for their recommendation. Will let you know when I pick up the car.

Since this is my first car with performance tires (Canadian MY2011 special order 19" inch ti wheels) do you change the tires near winter time before the snows come or is it based on temperatures close to 0 celsius? Just wondered since I'm from southern Ontario and wondered whether it's better to change end of November or in December so that I can admire my wheels longer. Thanks.[/QUOT


I am a tire expert. You should change to winter tires when the temperature gets down to 7 degrees. That is celcius. The winters not only improve grip on snow and ice but the braking distance is drastically improved over our summer tires. You would be a goofball here in Canada to drive around in any car in the winter with summer tires regarless of car value. It is afterall the law in Quebec and should be here in Ontario. As a paid accident investigator I can tell you there is a huge difference. I am however grateful for the goofballs as I make very good living on their stupidity. However I do feel sorry for the innocent victims of these accidents. Oh by the way, I love this car. Can't wait to install the winters. I have a 18" set on hold awaiting word on whether 17" rims will work. If so I will go that route and cancel the 18's.

NABS4

Certain 17s will fit. Tire Rack has test fitted some and there's a thread on this. Another benefit in going to a narrower tire is to keep the road crap (salt, sand) from being readily sprayed down the side of the car since the tires are tucked into the fenders. Use 225s w/+40 offset.

Denis54

When the weather gets cold, high performance tires become very hard and loose a lot of traction even on asphalt. That is why it is generally acknowledged that they should not be used at temperature below 7C.

Last winter, Tire Rack listed some 17 inch wheels as being compatible. I think that most of them used a centering ring.

I will get 18 inch for mine as there is a lot more choice and there is less chance of touching the calipers. Also, I want wheels that do not use a centering ring.

I will get either 245-40-18 or 235-45-18. These are pretty similar in size to 225-50-17. I live in Montreal and as we get a fair amount of bad weather I will get ice and snow tires instead of performance tires. Ice and snow tires offer better snow and ice traction at the expense of dry traction.

As a general rule, narrower tires "penetrate" the snow better and have less of a tendency to aquaplane

seinsmeld13

Well said Denis my French brother, narrower is better when it comes to tires in the deep stuff.

drrick89

LOL Hey guys, isn't it like......July; you know - the middle of summer? I know a lot of you guys live in Canada or the northern US, but you sound you like you live on the North Pole!

Sorry for the rant, but I'm down here in Texas. Yesterday, the AC went out in my office for a couple hours and it got very warm!

seinsmeld13

Ya it's hot here as well 32 c or approx 95 f. Still a good topic as the air conditioner blows nice cold air. Snow is only 3 to 4 months away. Generally the best time to buy is October 1so we all need to be prepared for our purchase.

BSBG

Here is the post with links to 17s that will work:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...t=winter+tires