Winter tires for 16" wheels (1 Viewer)

[parnoren]

Hello all,

Seems the 275/70/16 tire size is a dying breed, especially when it comes to winter tires. I have tried pretty much everywhere here in Vancouver, BC and nobody seems to be able to source a good winter tire. Most places will offer the A/T KO2s but they are too aggressive for my purposes. My question to you guys and gals is that if I go with a slightly narrower tire like 265/70/16 or 265/75/16 will I run into any problems? I am looking at the Michelin X-Ice Xi2. My car is a 2002 LX470. Any help appreciated.

 

[97 AZ LC]

Either one of those sizes would be fine. 275/70/16 is a dud for choice though Yokahama Geolander G015 is a good tire.

 

[parnoren]

Thanks! My previous winter tire was the Geolandar I/T and I really liked it. The G015 doesn’t get very good reviews and no longer comes in 275/70/16. Does anyone have any experience with either the Ice X XI2 or the G015 in 265/70/16. I rarely go off road so most of the time it will be paved road.

 

[parnoren]

Looks like Michelin makes a tire, Michelin LTX Winter, that comes in 265/75/16. I believe this will fit the original rims and the diameter will be 1.3% larger than stock tires. I think I will order these and give them a try unless any of you have had bad experiences with this tire.

 

[parnoren]

I just heard back from the tire shop that the LTX Winter version is being phased out so now I'm looking at the Hankook Ipike RW11 in 265/75/16. Let's see how it goes.....

 

[SlowBuild]

Nokian makes Haka 9 in 265/70R16. You’ll not find a better tire. Their LT tire or R2/R3 could work too but I didn’t look at sizes.

 

[ikarus]

Cooper has a new tire (I think, I've never seen it til this year) with a lot of sizes including 285/75r16 which I think is cool for a snow tire - don't see many 33".

Cooper® Discoverer® Snow Claw™ Truck/SUV Winter Tires | Cooper Tire

Cooper Discoverer® Snow Claw™ tires deliver outstanding winter traction in the deep cold to keep you confident and in control.

us.coopertire.com

 

[hickuptruck]

Nokian Hakkas. Nothing else will touch it. Absolutely a joke for all-terrains to get a snowflake on them.

 

[jLB]

Seems the 275/70/16 tire size is a dying breed

From my perspective, the 275/70R16 has always been a bit of an oddball size, ever since the first time I ran across it in 1994, on my first 80 series Land Cruiser.

A 265/75R16 seems to be close to "stock", and a much more common tire size.

 

[parnoren]

Thanks everyone!! I will try and make a decision over the weekend.

 

[BigBen97]

I will add as a Nokian fan. I have the R2 SUV in an 18”. Just looking I see they have a 265/70-16 in the R3

The LT3 has 265/75R16

 

[parnoren]

Just to let everyone know I went with the X-Ice Xi2 265/70r16. I will update this thread after the winter, or earlier if I run into any problems. Thanks for all the help!