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After giving it some thought I've decided not to chance it and will be looking for 4 snow tires.
I've decided to go down a size to 205 55 16 rather then stock 205 50 17 to save some money but also more tire choices at that size. I've decided to mount the tires on steel rims. I called around for rim prices and surprisingly got the best quote at one of the local Mazda dealerships. Of the 4 local dealerships I called 2 were stocking rims for winter. They will have it in stock in 2weeks and will call me once they arrive.
I've decided to go with the Kumho KW17 primarily because it has good all around performance and bang for the buck. I would call my winters here a mild mix of everything from snow to sleet to slush. Also condsidered the Hankook W300 Ice Bear, both are H rated tires.
The only question I had was with the lug nuts. Some installers have said I can use the same ones I got on. While others have said that what I've got on is fitted for the stock alloys and I would need ones that would be better fitted for the steel rims???
I was also wondering what snow tires other Mazda 5 owners are using and how their snow tires performed?
For winter tires I went with Federal Himilaya 205/55R16s on steel rims. Rims tires balancing with taxes was 900$CDN. I wonder whether i should have gone with Mazda's package at a local dealer - $1099 for X-Ice on steels rims, taxes included.
I'm in Vancouver so I won't actually mount the snow tires till end of November. But once the rims come in from Mazda I'll buy the tires then mount them myself when the time comes. I don't want to wait too late and not get the tires I want. I don't want to mount them too early and have unnecessary wear on them. The more miles I put on the stock no season Toyo's the better, once their done I'll get some real rubber to zoom-zoom.
I don't know anything about those Federal Himalayan tires. My first choice was the Michelin X-Ice but passed on them because they were pricey, also the Michelin seemed to be designed for more extreme conditions then I would see in Vancouver. Wanted a tire that had a high level of performance in regular driving conditions as well as winter conditions, and at a reasonable price. Decided on the Kumho KW17, OTD CDN$865 includes steel rims from Mazda, balancing and taxes.
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Today, I took it in to get the right side, rear shock replaced since they said it was faulty. I told them about the bump/bubble in my tire and he said that it is dangerous to have that and that I should get the tire replaced.
I'm wondering why they didn't say or notice this before when I got it serviced. And I am also wondering if it really is all that dangerous to have a bubble on the tire. I mean, it's been there for a while and nothing's happened. I also asked the technician if it was possible to get it replaced from the manufacturer since it could have been a defective tire since I haven't hit a curb or done anything out of the ordinary to cause a bubble. He said it was extremely difficult for a tire manufacturer to admit it was defective and to give a new tire and that he has never seen it happen. So, I am wondering if that is true as well.
I have an 06 Carbon Mica Gray, Mazda 5 Touring with the 17 inchers - I believe they are Toyo tires? Any advice on all the above, please? Thanks!
Today, I took it in to get the right side, rear shock replaced since they said it was faulty. I told them about the bump/bubble in my tire and he said that it is dangerous to have that and that I should get the tire replaced.
I'm wondering why they didn't say or notice this before when I got it serviced. And I am also wondering if it really is all that dangerous to have a bubble on the tire. I mean, it's been there for a while and nothing's happened. I also asked the technician if it was possible to get it replaced from the manufacturer since it could have been a defective tire since I haven't hit a curb or done anything out of the ordinary to cause a bubble. He said it was extremely difficult for a tire manufacturer to admit it was defective and to give a new tire and that he has never seen it happen. So, I am wondering if that is true as well.
I have an 06 Carbon Mica Gray, Mazda 5 Touring with the 17 inchers - I believe they are Toyo tires? Any advice on all the above, please? Thanks!
Google is your friend - see michelin website. There are also other references to bubbles appearing without impacts - probably defects. It appears that the bubbles are dangerous and the tire should be replaced asap as it is a sign of the tread separating. In my opinion, the tire company should replace it, especially if your car is fairly new, and you didn't hit the tire (don't know how they can tell). Tell us how it turns out.
David
I believe the US tires are Toyo, just read it off your tire . It appears some people have Michelins (Canadian?).
From reading other information on the web, others have mentioned problems with Toyo's bubbling. It also appears that if you take the tire off, if there is damage on the inside - this shows that you must have hit something. I am definitely not a expert - may be someone else knows more.
It also appears that these 17" tire are expensive to replace. Hopefully, by the time it comes around for us to replace, they'll be cheaper.
David
The Costco I use now puts nitrogen in their tires (its what the sickly green tire caps mean). They don't charge anything if you buy your tires from them. I have noticed that I don't need to repressurize the tires as often to bring them back to the specified pressure. If the tires are at the correct pressure, they'll last longer. Its sort of surprising that I noticed a difference since air is ~80% nitrogen anyway.
David
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Could be. My guess is that the tread is going to wear down to the point that the tires need to be changed long before the tire becomes useless from rotting away from the inside.
I did some research on the web. See link I think that the main effect might be the lower moisture content in the gas. If you use normal air, it contains moisture and this moisture can change the pressure as it heats and cools. I believe the nitrogen is low moisture content.
Regards,
David
I have a Mazda5 GT and I would like to know if I can change the regular size with 215/50/17...Thanks in advance.
Winter tire: For anyone interested these are my winter tires. I have never been stuck and have been in snow well above the door sills. They are great on the highway and in town. I went down to 16" as the increase sidewall increase winter tire traction. http://www.nokiantyres.com/passengercars_product_en?product=610499&name=NOKIAN+H- AKKAPELIITTA+RSi
After reading through some archived messages, I feel disheartened about all the misinformation that has been conveyed to consumers.
My name should let you know- I am an ASE certified auto technician that now works much closer to the tire and wheel industry in a very unique way that I promise can help you understand what is going on with your vehicle and why certain remedies work sometimes, and why some work all the time.
My goal is to help anyone better understand what they can do to eleviate their own frustrations by making sure the job gets done right the first time.
Fire away!!!
My apologies in advance for barging in on this posting- I am a new user and can not find where to post a new message- any help would be appreciated.
Try posting on the forum "Tires, Tires, Tires"
But I should warn you, there are some fairly knowledgeable folks that post there, so you better have your act together.
Thx in advance!
Pam
The stock tires are Toyos A18 205/15 R17 (US, it is marked on the tire side). I'm afraid to say that that issue may not be part of the warranty as is not a tire defect.
With so few miles I would look for the same Toyo to replace it. Now, worst case scenario, if its really pricy or you don't find the same Toyo, I would at least get a couple of a different brand tires and replace them in the same axis (front or back) so they wear uniformly, otherwise only one different brand tire may make the car feel weird or not very stable.
Anyway, here is a good site: http://www.tirerack.com
I've read from some other owners as well and here are some of the comments:
a) Toyo are the original equipment from the manufacturer and they are not the best for this type of tire anyway. There are better and cheaper tires in the market. Regardless, some owners have driven 30K+ miles on them with no issues.
b) I agree with your father, for this type of tires (low profile) keep a close eye on the air pressure whenever possible and rotate every time you service the car. Yes, my other car is a Honda and I was spoiled somehow. As a matter of fact, on that car I changed tires not because of wear, but because of crazy weather conditions plus I was traveling a lot so the mileage was very low compared to the model year (I had no garage) so the rubber just went awry and became unsafe.
Now, to me the Mazda5 tires make a huge difference (looks and drive) so they are worth the extra care.
This morning I freaked out almost to the point of crying because I got in my car to take my son to school and my tires started shaking. My father and I had JUST checked the pressure and put exactly 34 in all tires THREE DAYS EARLIER.
What had happened was, was the day before, it was 95 degrees outside, very dry, but last night it dropped down to around 50 degrees and even frosted a little, was very HUMID. Just that caused my tire pressure to go wonky!
By the way, nitrogen is not expensive.. I think you can have it done at a car place for no more than $10/tire.
I don't know the exact price though because my dad races motorcycles and already has nitrous and nitrogen tanks in the garage.......
If you have searched Mazda5 owner forums you will see that MANY people who just kept tabs on the pressure and/or put nitrogen in their tired ended up very happy in the end.
Anyone have any experience going outside of the dealer (e.g. Tirerack.com)?
Thanks.