Dropping from 17" to 15" wheels for winter?

[sonic-image]

Is this a big deal? I know next to nothing about cars which I get alot of hate about for driving a blacked out hot hatch with bright red mudflaps (BUT) this is my first time changing wheel size of my car, I have winter tires from my 13 sonic which had 15s on it, so I purchased steel wheels for them and plan on throwing them on the car.

I wont have any serious issues ?? \

 

[Espysonic]

Is this a big deal? I know next to nothing about cars which I get alot of hate about for driving a blacked out hot hatch with bright red mudflaps (BUT) this is my first time changing wheel size of my car, I have winter tires from my 13 sonic which had 15s on it, so I purchased steel wheels for them and plan on throwing them on the car.



I wont have any serious issues ?? \

No serious issues, but you’re speedometer will probably be off by about 1-2 mph. Smaller tire, less distance traveled


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[gnonne]

The ONLY issue is the overall diameter. The original size 195/65/15 tires produce a diameter of about 634 mm. 205/55/16 are about 632 mm. 225/45/17 are about 634 mm. While different tire brands vary slightly, there is virtually no difference as long as you use a factory original size.

In fact, I once stopped by the local GM dealer and asked if I could switch my 16 inch and 15 inch wheels between the two Sonics I own. They said the TPMS sensors would need to be reset and they could NOT update the car's computers since they are programmed only for the original tire size, AND it would make no difference since they are all so close.

 

[skurtov]

The ONLY issue is the overall diameter. The original size 195/65/15 tires produce a diameter of about 634 mm. 205/55/16 are about 632 mm. 225/45/17 are about 634 mm. While different tire brands vary slightly, there is virtually no difference as long as you use a factory original size.

In fact, I once stopped by the local GM dealer and asked if I could switch my 16 inch and 15 inch wheels between the two Sonics I own. They said the TPMS sensors would need to be reset and they could NOT update the car's computers since they are programmed only for the original tire size, AND it would make no difference since they are all so close.

Precisely!

On a side note smaller tires with thinner profiles tend to cut through snow like ice skates which offers additional traction and stability.