I've been looking for snow tires lately and everything I've heard says narrower is better. At http://www.tirerack.com/snow/snowsize.htm The Tire Rack says
"Select a narrow winter tire for your vehicle. A wide, low profile or large tire has to"plow" a wide path through snow which causes more resistance. The narrower the tire, the easier you can get through snow."
Also, look at http://www.tires.com/size.html where Discount Tire Direct says:
"When it comes to snow tires, size does make a difference. Did you know that having a snow tire that is narrower than your stock tire size will actually perform better in the snow! It's true. When possible it is always a good idea to have a slightly narrower snow tire for better traction. The rule-of-thumb is a 10mm to 20mm difference. It's not much but is helps. ... A narrower tire does not have as wide of a track though the snow and this slight difference in section width allows the tire to go through the snow more easily and makes traction more efficient. The key phrase is "track through the snow" That's what you want your snow tire to do and as effectively as possible. Now, using your stock tire size is not a bad thing. You will still have outstanding traction over your all-season or high performance type tires."
HTH
Brett
<<< 10/24 8:18p >>>
Lots of "Tire width in snow messages lately". Snow's same as sand. When you
drive on a beach you have to let the air out. You need the surface area for
floatation and to keep from getting bogged down. Skinny tires in snow will
just cut you down to a layer of water built up by friction. Or worse, a
layer of ice on the road. Same works in reverse when stopping. Hit the
breaks and a fat layer of snow in front of the tires will slow you down.
That's why anti-lock doesn't work in snow. Wider is better!
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