The Final word on 19inch tires?

[Andrewp75]

What is the final word on 19inch tires? Can they be used successfully in the snow. I live in Chicago and dont go offroading all that much, and if I do it will be lite. However, my garage is in an alley that wont get plowed and I dont want to get two sets of tires, so I would like to know, are there 19inch tires that perform admirably in the snow? Thanks in advance for the info.

[Widinski]

The 19" tires that come with the Touareg are Pirelli P Zero summer performance tires. They have great traction and are quiet but not made for snow. In fact, reports from drivers in the east say that they are terrible on ice and snow. I would stick to the 18" wheels as you will find all season tires but not with the 19".

Good luck.

[eggyacid]

i'm thinking about the samething with 19's...
i currently have 18's and love the looks of 19 or 20's.
Can't you just buy better tires? You don't have to use factory summer tires right?

Jeff

[Andrewp75]

Still no word on if there is a 19 or 20 that has operated well in the snow. Can anyone with any info please post here. I find it strange that with the years that larer tires have been popular there hasnt been one deigned that performs well in the snow.

[Tahoe]

Large wide tires that fit 19" and 20" rims are by nature poor in the snow. To increase traction in snow you not only need a good tread, but also a skinnier tire that will bite down to pavement rather than float on top of snow and ice.

You will see in my photo comparing the Touareg's stock 18" Continentals compared to my Trailblazer's 20" Yokohamas that larger diameter rims by nature require a wider tire that performs poor in snow. I have driven the Yokohamas in deep snow and they drift terribly. They tend to ride above the snow rather than biting down to pavement where the real traction is.

The only option you have is to find 20" tire is all season tread that will at best be fair in snow and ice conditions. In my experience of living in the Sierras Nevada (20 plus ft of snow a year) it is best to have two sets of tires and rims. One for the winter and one for the summer pavement. That way your "fat chrome" or shall I say dubs won't pit and rust in the salty, sandy, snow conditions of the winter and you can still have some good looking rims for the summer months.

I hope that helps you out some. Good luck.

-Jake

[spockcat]

Originally Posted by jprupas@hotmail.com

Large wide tires that fit 19" and 20" rims are by nature poor in the snow. ...
-Jake

Before I read your post, I looked at the photos and thought to myself that the tires on the left are much better snow tires than the tires on the right. I'm glad you stated that clearly. Just because a tire "looks" more agressive, doesn't mean it is a better snow tire.

I will be using my stock 18" wheels/tires for Northeast winter driving, not my 20" wheels.