Winter tires: 235/40-18 vs 245/40-18 vs 255/40-18

[ITS ITS ITS]

I am planning on getting new wheels in size 18x9.5 ET45 for my integra Type S for the winter.

vredenstein makes wintrac pro tires in the sizes in the title. I am not sure which one to get. Thinner (235) to maximize winter driving or thicker (255) to closer match the factory tire width?

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[StingertimeNC]

At least 255. I wouldn’t want more stretch than that. The 265’s are already slightly stretched.

 

[Frenzal]

Don't think it is possible to put 235 tires on a 9.5 wheel. Look at the tire spec sheet, they tell you which size wheel will fit each tire width.

 

[ITS ITS ITS]

Ok thank you guys

 

[Brooski1]

Tirerack does say that a 235/40R18 will fit an 8 to 9.5" rim.

 

[akoza]

Tirerack does say that a 235/40R18 will fit an 8 to 9.5" rim.

Can confirm. My winter setup is 235/40R18 on 18x8.5 wheels with a +38 offset. I bought mine from Tirerack fully assembled (including TPMS sensors, hub centric rings, and lug nuts specific to the wheels).

That tire size will get you the closest diameter to stock so you don't have to worry about the speedometer/mileage counter being off.

 

[maximetardif]

Don't think it is possible to put 235 tires on a 9.5 wheel. Look at the tire spec sheet, they tell you which size wheel will fit each tire width.

I'm running 235/40R18 on 9.5"
Michelin alpin 5

 

[ITS ITS ITS]

I'm running 235/40R18 on 9.5"
Michelin alpin 5

Yeah; the alpin 5 was the other tire I was thinking of but it only came in 235/40-18 and I was worried it wouldn’t work on a 9.5 rim even though the tire rack chart says it’s ok.

 

[maximetardif]

If you want to see what 235 on 9.5" looks like

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Holy stretch batman. Good thing that tire has very generous lip protection. I still wouldn't breath near potholes .

How do you like the alpin 5?

 

[ITS ITS ITS]

Yeah, that’s quite the stretch. I think I’ll go with the alpin pa4 in 255/35-18 instead on 18x9.5

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Yeah, that’s quite the stretch. I think I’ll go with the alpin pa4 in 255/35-18 instead on 18x9.5

You also have the vredstein wintrac pro in 255/40r18 for some more sidewall.

Imo, it's a better tire than the alpin pa4. Better handling, comfier (especially with more sidewall), better ice stopping power, and more responsive to steering input. Not sure how it compares to the alpin 5 since I haven't driven that one.

 

[ITS ITS ITS]

You also have the vredstein wintrac pro in 255/40r18 for some more sidewall.

Imo, it's a better tire than the alpin pa4. Better handling, comfier (especially with more sidewall), better ice stopping power, and more responsive to steering input. Not sure how it compares to the alpin 5 since I haven't driven that one.

I called tire rack for an opinion and the guy said the alpin was a much better tire than the wintrac pro, if you click see test data under the compare button on tire rack you can see their personal tire test results with number ratings to match the Recommendations

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I called tire rack for an opinion and the guy said the alpin was a much better tire than the wintrac pro, if you click see test data under the compare button on tire rack you can see their personal tire test results with number ratings to match the Recommendations

The compare function only provides spec comparison from tire rack. The bar chart type rating is based off user reviews only. These are not professional reviews, but average joe's reporting in via review what they personally experienced. Nothing wrong with collective knowledge, but tirerack has never directly compared these two tires and reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. The average sales rep at tirerack i have rarely found to be knowledgeable, either. I've had a couple good ones, but mostly they're just average and read off a script of sorts.

I've driven the two tires side by side in the same season and also had two sets of each. The Michelin is much quieter and a touch more surefooted in actual snow. Over ice, comfort, and steering response the wintrac win hands down. The Michelin I prefer on an awd or rwd car because they like to understeer more. The wintrac is much more oversteery and I find them to be better on a fwd car.

Tirerack also won't advise you on a 255/40/18 fit because it's not part of their "approved tire sizes" list, but it will fit. The added sidewall is not unsubstantial, and if your winter roads are crappy enough with potholes and debris in winter, the added ride height and sidewall would prove beneficial.

You can't go wrong with either tire, honestly. I like them both a lot. I'm really excited to see the alpin 5 come out in more sizes so I can try them out. If they improve on the steering and comfort over the pa4 they'd be a pretty killer tire.

 

[ITS ITS ITS]

The compare function only provides spec comparison from tire rack. The bar chart type rating is based off user reviews only. These are not professional reviews, but average joe's reporting in via review what they personally experienced. Nothing wrong with collective knowledge, but tirerack has never directly compared these two tires and reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. The average sales rep at tirerack i have rarely found to be knowledgeable, either. I've had a couple good ones, but mostly they're just average and read off a script of sorts.

I've driven the two tires side by side in the same season and also had two sets of each. The Michelin is much quieter and a touch more surefooted in actual snow. Over ice, comfort, and steering response the wintrac win hands down. The Michelin I prefer on an awd or rwd car because they like to understeer more. The wintrac is much more oversteery and I find them to be better on a fwd car.

Tirerack also won't advise you on a 255/40/18 fit because it's not part of their "approved tire sizes" list, but it will fit. The added sidewall is not unsubstantial, and if your winter roads are crappy enough with potholes and debris in winter, the added ride height and sidewall would prove beneficial.

You can't go wrong with either tire, honestly. I like them both a lot. I'm really excited to see the alpin 5 come out in more sizes so I can try them out. If they improve on the steering and comfort over the pa4 they'd be a pretty killer tire.

No not the big chart of numbers, click test data under the compare button , then click analysis when the video in the new window pops up. That’s where you can see the direct comparison between tires that tire rack tested , I should have been more specific

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