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I am looking for feedback on winter tire width.
I currently have the 20" wheels due to the Touring trim. I am purchasing a set of OEM 18" rims to run a winter snow tire set. The purpose of this set is simply for skiing/mtn pass trips here in the PNW. They will be put on the night before, and taken off when the trip is over, running the 20s the rest of the "winter". I have never had to put on chains, although you are required to have them if you running all-season M+S tires. When traction tires/chains are required, you don't have to put them on if your vehicle is AWD/4WD. The only time you would be required is if there was law enforcement stopping everybody and only permitting chains to pass. Some states may call this a "Class C road closure" if memory serves me right. The problem with chains on the Ascent is that the owner's manual really doesn't want you to run chains, but there is a small section saying Class S traction devices are OK. The stock tire width for both the 20" and 18" is 245. If you were buying snow tires, in this case for an 18" rim, would you go with the stock tire size 245/60R18 or would you go for a 235/65R18 set? I think the narrower tire would provide more clearance for chains on the inside. The downside is that it is a taller tire. There seems to be ample clearance there. Chains are meant for low speeds and there are generally not huge potholes where suspension would bottom out. Price difference is nil between the two. What Would the Forum Do (WWFD)?
Thanks
I currently have the 20" wheels due to the Touring trim. I am purchasing a set of OEM 18" rims to run a winter snow tire set. The purpose of this set is simply for skiing/mtn pass trips here in the PNW. They will be put on the night before, and taken off when the trip is over, running the 20s the rest of the "winter". I have never had to put on chains, although you are required to have them if you running all-season M+S tires. When traction tires/chains are required, you don't have to put them on if your vehicle is AWD/4WD. The only time you would be required is if there was law enforcement stopping everybody and only permitting chains to pass. Some states may call this a "Class C road closure" if memory serves me right. The problem with chains on the Ascent is that the owner's manual really doesn't want you to run chains, but there is a small section saying Class S traction devices are OK. The stock tire width for both the 20" and 18" is 245. If you were buying snow tires, in this case for an 18" rim, would you go with the stock tire size 245/60R18 or would you go for a 235/65R18 set? I think the narrower tire would provide more clearance for chains on the inside. The downside is that it is a taller tire. There seems to be ample clearance there. Chains are meant for low speeds and there are generally not huge potholes where suspension would bottom out. Price difference is nil between the two. What Would the Forum Do (WWFD)?
Thanks