winter tire setup does 18 vs 19" matter?

[Hojae84]

is there any advantage in ice/snow where 18" is better than the 19"?
I do know a narrower tire is better in snow, but does overall wheel diameter (only considering 18 vs 19 on stock height stinger) matter? Like for more sidewall for whatever reason, or more fender / wheel well clearance so ice doesn't build up etc?
Assume a good winter tire will be used.
Any input would be appreciated

 

[Dan1028]

is there any advantage in ice/snow where 18" is better than the 19"?
I do know a narrower tire is better in snow, but does overall wheel diameter (only considering 18 vs 19 on stock height stinger) matter? Like for more sidewall for whatever reason, or more fender / wheel well clearance so ice doesn't build up etc?
Assume a good winter tire will be used.
Any input would be appreciated

Your overall wheel (tire + wheel) will be the same or close to it (ideally, for consistent speedometer readings, etc.), so wheel well clearance is a bit of a non-issue.

I would go with smaller diameter wheels simply because the tires and wheels will both be less expensive, and the additional sidewall will help in poor conditions where you might encounter abrupt bumps that could damage a lower profile set. Go narrower if you can, too, but be advised that your handling will be entirely different.

On my Camaro, the summer set was factory 245/45/20 front, 275/40/20 rear. Winter set was 235/55/19 all around.

 

[bumble bee]

I had A ford focus RS with 19's made it through winter in Chicago. Manual to!

 

[SteveCo]

Amazing amount of interest in winter tires and wheels lately - we're baking up here in some of the hottest weather we've had in a while!

I went with 18's mostly due to cost - I didn't see any reason or advantage to spending a considerable amount extra on a 19" tire and wheel solution for winter conditions. I did draw the line at getting stamped steel black winter rims - this car is far too nice to shame it with winter tires on cheap wheels ...

 

[Hojae84]

Cool thanks for tips

 

[Volvowith18psi]

I saw a deal for some steels AND nice tires for like 800, is that still a thing?

if not, guess Ill be wrapping the 19" stockers with winter rubber.

 

[Kazz]

I've not had to shop yet as I'm on the 18" all-seasons. But when I do, the first (and often last) place I'll shop is Tire Rack. And no, I'm not affiliated with them in any way. I've just spent thousands and thousands of dollars with them over the years! LOL

 

[Coltt]

I saw a deal for some steels AND nice tires for like 800, is that still a thing?

if not, guess Ill be wrapping the 19" stockers with winter rubber.

I have doubts about 18" steel wheels fitting on the stinger as there we're lots of issues with 18" alloys fitting when they first released the KIA branded ones, If you try it and it works great, I'd love to be able pass that info on. But the main draw for the 18" winter tires is price, currently only 1 brand makes a matching staggered OE size winter tire: Pirelli Sottozero 3J which cost somewhere around $1800 (CAD) for the set + mount and balancing your tires each season swap over ($100+).

 

[Alagos]

I Would even Go with 17“ (please don’t hit me ^^)
But Thats not allowed i think ..i mean for the gt-line
.. what confuses me, that my dealer said with Package it comes with 19“ and nothing else is allowed..

 

[Hojae84]

I was more curious why kia does 18" for all season package vs 19".
Ignoring the fact that most aren't that impressed with the all season from factory... why would they suggest a slightly smaller wheel

 

[Coltt]

I Would even Go with 17“ (please don’t hit me ^^)
But Thats not allowed i think ..i mean for the gt-line
.. what confuses me, that my dealer said with Package it comes with 19“ and nothing else is allowed..

I'd say there's a 99% chance those 17's wont clear the brembos on a v6, as they wont even clear the brakes on a turbo optima.

It's perfectly fine to drop down to 18s I mean there's 18" wheel options for the GT's I don't know why they'd tell you not to, other then they're trying to make more money or simply uninformed and generally lacking in automotive knowledge

 

[Alagos]

I'd say there's a 99% chance those 17's wont clear the brembos on a v6, as they wont even clear the brakes on a turbo optima.

It's perfectly fine to drop down to 18s I mean there's 18" wheel options for the GT's I don't know why they'd tell you not to, other then they're trying to make more money or simply uninformed and generally lacking in automotive knowledge

On Brembos - you are right, but GT-Line (2.0)?

I mean - it’s in the accessories .. same as the other Exhaust - but for both no
Option to add by build

 

[Coltt]

On Brembos - you are right, but GT-Line (2.0)?

I mean - it’s in the accessories .. same as the other Exhaust - but for both no
Option to add by build

My bad I thought a GT-Line was a 6 cylinder in NA all GT's are v6s and in Canada we don't even have 4 cylinder stingers or 18" wheels as options (yet). But if KIA lists them for the 4 cylinders it's a pretty safe bet that it would work