winter wheel sizes!

[rickb2411]

hi, I'm looking to get some wheels/winter tyres for the car, I currently have 20" wheels but looking to go smaller for the winter ones. Will any alloy wheel with the 5 x 108 stud pattern fit my car or do I have to stick with genuine Volvo wheels? also can I go down to 16" or just 17"/18"? tyres seem a lot cheaper the small you go.

thanks

Rick.

[Deck1ng]

Originally Posted by rickb2411

hi, I'm looking to get some wheels/winter tyres for the car, I currently have 20" wheels but looking to go smaller for the winter ones. Will any alloy wheel with the 5 x 108 stud pattern fit my car or do I have to stick with genuine Volvo wheels? also can I go down to 16" or just 17"/18"? tyres seem a lot cheaper the small you go.

thanks

Rick.

My only contribution to this would be, be careful of your rolling radius, the measurement around the whole wheel and tyre now. By using smaller wheels, generally you would fit a larger tyre example if you currently have 235 45 x18, tyres, to fit a smaller wheel you would require a 235 65 x 17 tyre, the 1” lost in the wheel size is made up on the tyre wall. But not doing that you would both alter gearing and Speedo accuracy. If your 5 stud x 108 wheel Also has to have the correct offset and centre bore. There is a bit to think about.
An example of speedo difference on MY12 XC60 is as follows:
I have 235,65x17 tyres, if I reduced them to 235,45x17’s (basically a 1” reduction, at 70 mph (on speedo) I would only be travelling at 61 mph .

[Richard M Knight]

Remember there might be insurance issues when changing to non standard wheels and tyres.

[Tannaton]

You don't need to stick with genuine Volvo wheels but as well as the stud pattern you need to understand the centre bore diameter and offset (ET rating).

This might help : www.wheel-size.com

Comments above on rolling radius are valid too.

[rickb2411]

thanks for the replies so far. with the help of google I've looked at the rolling radius of my tyre 255 45 20 =91.2" and a random tyre size of 235 65 17 =91.19" so I should be able to match the rolling radius. and as for the wheels I think id just go for Volvo ones that go on the xc60s to be safe.
just to throw another question in the pot, has anyone got rid of there winter spare set and just opted to put a set of all season tyres on and managed just as well? (I'm only 2wd!) I just thought id ask as I'm probably going to have to replace mine next year anyway.

Rick

[Deck1ng]

Originally Posted by rickb2411

thanks for the replies so far. with the help of google I've looked at the rolling radius of my tyre 255 45 20 =91.2" and a random tyre size of 235 65 17 =91.19" so I should be able to match the rolling radius. and as for the wheels I think id just go for Volvo ones that go on the xc60s to be safe.
just to throw another question in the pot, has anyone got rid of there winter spare set and just opted to put a set of all season tyres on and managed just as well? (I'm only 2wd!) I just thought id ask as I'm probably going to have to replace mine next year anyway.

Rick

I think a number of members have done just that. I for 1 run Michelin Cross Climates. There was a pole on here somewhere and i believe they came out on top. But there are many makes and prices available.

[Mick787]

I was thinking of going for a set of winter tyres on a set of rims and swapping between summer and winter sets each October/March as I have done for the past 10 years or so with the various cars I've owned.
My thoughts are that seasons don't seem to be as severe as they were a few years ago, so rather than having two sets, I've just gone for a full set of Cross Climates, the wife's car is on Goodyear 4 season. Another consideration is that tyres do have a life expectancy irrespective of wear, so unless you are racking up the miles, having two sets of rubber for one car, may prove to be costly when it comes to having to replace them. From personal experience, selling a set of tyres if you decide to change your car, then you will loose money. Each to their own, but you may save in the long run by going for all season rubber. Whether the performance from an all season tyre is as good as a full winter or summer tyre, I don't know. There is also the issue of storage of a full set of rims with tyres!

[Auto Addict]

For what it's worth I've decided many years ago now that our British climate doesn't warrant having two set of wheels & tyres so I've been running All Season tyres on both of my cars. Micheline CrossClimate on the Golf R and PIRELLI Scorpion Verde All Season on the XC60 on the OEM 18" alloys with stock tyre size of 235 / 60 R18 (107V) I highly rate either of the two brands for the XC however... the PIRELLI Scorpion is a specific "SUV" tyre (not available for the Golf) whereas the Michelin CCs are available for both the Golf R & the XC60.

[Roland_F]

Originally Posted by rickb2411

thanks for the replies so far. with the help of google I've looked at the rolling radius of my tyre 255 45 20 =91.2" and a random tyre size of 235 65 17 =91.19" so I should be able to match the rolling radius. and as for the wheels I think id just go for Volvo ones that go on the xc60s to be safe.
just to throw another question in the pot, has anyone got rid of there winter spare set and just opted to put a set of all season tyres on and managed just as well? (I'm only 2wd!) I just thought id ask as I'm probably going to have to replace mine next year anyway.

Rick

Another happy Michelin CrossClimate driver here, with 2WD. As a bonus, the ride improved when I switched to them. Bear in mind they are a compromise, but a lot better than regular summer tyres in snow. Wouldn’t recommend though if you like cornering on your door handles in the warmer months.

If you do go the winter route, I’d suggest you stick with the tyre sizes shown inside your filler cap.

[ridax]

Originally Posted by rickb2411

hi, I'm looking to get some wheels/winter tyres for the car, I currently have 20" wheels but looking to go smaller for the winter ones. Will any alloy wheel with the 5 x 108 stud pattern fit my car or do I have to stick with genuine Volvo wheels? also can I go down to 16" or just 17"/18"? tyres seem a lot cheaper the small you go.
.

You should measure the diameter of the brake disc to make sure it will fit in the smaller wheel. My V60 is equipped with brakes that requires 17" wheels or larger.