General Which winter tyres are people going for

[loveshandbags]

offset is still et35

I haven't got the 'old' 500 handbook but I thought it stated E40 for the steel rim and E35 for the alloy in the 15 inch. On the mytyres web site it states E40. Its worth noting that on the current handbook it states that the 15 inch with E35 (the alloy) is not suitable for chains.

 

[Melanabb]

I've finally gone to the Dark Side and got myself some winter tyres (Nokian WR A3 to be precise). Quite wet but not cold today (12C) and I have noticed a big difference, but that just might be due to my old summers being very worn. I'll update when its cold/snows. Feel safer already!

 

[306maxi]

I haven't got the 'old' 500 handbook but I thought it stated E40 for the steel rim and E35 for the alloy in the 15 inch. On the mytyres web site it states E40. Its worth noting that on the current handbook it states that the 15 inch with E35 (the alloy) is not suitable for chains.

IIRC the 40 was for the 1.4 and personally I reckon it's a misprint

 

[loveshandbags]

...I'm not too sure why the offset is different but you probably have a better chance of fitting a thin set of chains (if they were needed) on the E40 => the gap between the tyre wall and the inside arch is slightly bigger.

Like to correct the above - it's the other way around.:doh: The gap is smaller with a E40 than a E35 so there's less or no chance of fitting snow chains.

Good diagram here from the automobile catalog on the Fiat 500 and in the 15 inch for the steelie it refers to E40.

IIRC the 40 was for the 1.4

Good point Maxi. A 15 inch steelie is only listed for the 1.4. So from a handbook 'perspective' it shouldn't be used on the other models.

.. personally I reckon it's a misprint

Had a look the Fiat USA Owners handbook and no sizes are listed.
Chris did list E40 for the 15 inch steelie on his web site & on a forum posting.

Does anyone want my 'half wrong' E37 Stilo steelies ?

 

[306maxi]

Personally I think the ET40 is possibly a misprint. If a 14" steelie will fit with an ET35 offset then there's no reason why a 15" shouldn't fit also with the same offset.

 

[loveshandbags]

Personally I think the ET40 is possibly a misprint. If a 14" steelie will fit with an ET35 offset then there's no reason why a 15" shouldn't fit also with the same offset.

I've no doubt that 15 inch with an ET35 will fit. The Stilo E37 fittted with no issues on the 'old' 500 last year. And a ET35 might allow for the fitting of 7mm chains as referred to on the A500 list of wheel sizes. Doubt an insurance company would 'care' if a ET40 or a ET35 in a 15 inch was fitted.
If one was planning a trip to the alps the fitting of snow chains could be a consideration.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html
TBH I can't think of any benefits of a ET40 aside from having a slightly wider stance and the fact that's it's in the handbook. I'd like to see that argument used with an insurance company about it being a 'misprint'. Sometimes the 'less said the better'.

 

[306maxi]

ET40 means a narrower stance Offsets are confusing!

 

[loveshandbags]

ET40 means a narrower stance Offsets are confusing!

Thanks for that Maxi. So I was right on the first post after all !
http://www.miata.net/garage/offset.htm

So in your opinion would be there a better chance of fitting 7mm snow chains on a ET40 as opposed to ET35 in the 15s ?

 

[306maxi]

Depends if the clearance is tighter to the strut or the arch.

 

[loveshandbags]

Depends if the clearance is tighter to the strut or the arch.

Main culprit of where chains 'rub' are the wheel arches which came from here.
Do not travel faster than 40 km/h to ensure snow chains do not rub against inside of wheel arches.
Noticed from doing a search that 5mm wheel chains also exist. A difference between the 1.2 / TA compared with the 1.4 is the 10mm drop in the suspension which may also be a factor.

I think we've found a good reason to go with the E40 in the 15 with the 6J if you can get them.

 

[306maxi]

Main culprit of where chains 'rub' are the wheel arches which came from here.
Do not travel faster than 40 km/h to ensure snow chains do not rub against inside of wheel arches.
Noticed from doing a search that 5mm wheel chains also exist. A difference between the 1.2 / TA compared with the 1.4 is the 10mm drop in the suspension which may also be a factor.

I think we've found a good reason to go with the E40 in the 15 with the 6J if you can get them.

Like I said, it all depends on whether the gap is smallest to the arch or to the strut. On the back of our Subaru there is sod all distance between the tyre and the strut so chains wouldn't be an option for our car, but a lesser specced car that runs 185's it wouldn't be an issue. I haven't got the 500 at home today, but I'll have a look what the gap is like to the inside of the strut.

I still reckon it's a misprint

 

[Godfather Deejay]

I am glad we do not need to change our tires for every change of season.
South Africa.

 

[Melanabb]

A novice winter tyre user question: Do I use the same air pressure for the winter tyres as the summers? And, before you ask, there's no mention of winter tyres in my manual, let alone the pressures for them... Thanks in advance

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

A novice winter tyre user question: Do I use the same air pressure for the winter tyres as the summers? And, before you ask, there's no mention of winter tyres in my manual, let alone the pressures for them... Thanks in advance

If the same size you should be ok, however most tyre manufactures will have a guide on their website which is what I go for with my Snowtrac's

 

[306maxi]

Looks like it's quite likely that there'll be some cold and possibly snowy weather on the way soon!

http://ukweather.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/cold-weather-update-8/

Had the wheels on the Panda (poorly) refurbed this week so have the winter steelies from the 500 on it. Had the fronts the wrong way round and am extra glad I've swapped them over now! Might be heading back to Perth soon for a few weeks as I'm not working, I've got the cash to do it, it'll be fun to turn up at my parents door and my brother's wife should be popping out a sprog soon.

 

[ahmett]

Looks like it's quite likely that there'll be some cold and possibly snowy weather on the way soon!

http://ukweather.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/cold-weather-update-8/

Had the wheels on the Panda (poorly) refurbed this week so have the winter steelies from the 500 on it. Had the fronts the wrong way round and am extra glad I've swapped them over now! Might be heading back to Perth soon for a few weeks as I'm not working, I've got the cash to do it, it'll be fun to turn up at my parents door and my brother's wife should be popping out a sprog soon.

Nice! Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore? You are spoilt for choice these days!

 

[arorat]

Nice! Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore? You are spoilt for choice these days!

Maxi does not like to be spoilt, he is flying Ryanair as far it will take him east and then all local flights from there, he likes pain

 

[arorat]

Winter wheels went on today. I did not wash the salt off when I stored them, yep corrosion spots on all of them :bang:

 

[306maxi]

Nice! Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore? You are spoilt for choice these days!

Emirates.

 

[Funky Spike]

Emirates.[/QUOTE

I like the daytime flights from Perth, leave around 0600 and get to London the same evening.

Back on topic, winters went on a few weeks ago before I went away for a couple of weeks, -2c tonight and felt nice and grippy on the last un-gritted mile home tonight.

Spike