I used my 2022 factory wheels for my winter setup. My local shop, which likes Continental, found Viking Contact 7 in that size. I think Blizzaks would perform better but I can tell you the contis are nice and quiet

 

I too used my factory 18" wheels with a set of MICHELIN PILOT SPORT ALL SEASON 4 ZP. Really wanted to have a set of run flats! Have run all season tires on all my cars and trucks for the last twenty years without any major problems, living just outside of Rochester NY, one of the top ten snowiest places in the United States.

 

I know that the VA had some issues with 16" fitment. In my opinion the taller sidewall would be ideal but I don't know the fitment.

17s should do fine. If I recall they have a factory 17 so that should do nicely.

Winter tires range from performance oriented that function better in just cold, all the way to nokian studded tires that will basically go whatever direction the tires are pointed and stop better than performance oriented ones when you deal with ice, snow, and slush.

With a broad scope any winter tire is better than an all season in the winter. All seasons are ok at most things but not good at one thing.

 

With a broad scope any winter tire is better than an all season in the winter. All seasons are ok at most things but not good at one thing.

Agreed … if you are going to get a dedicated set of winter tires skip the all seasons and get winter tires.

 

I run 17” Blizzaks on a set of dedicated rims.
Vito

 

I've used Dunlop Wintersport SPs for about fifteen years, on a couple different cars, probably four or five sets of tires over the years. On steel wheels always.

Here in Chicago, most snowfalls aren't that deep - we're no Buffalo or Rochester - but we get a lot of salt. Sometimes they put down more salt than snow it seems like! The steel wheels keep my nice aluminum ones nice and fresh.

 

I've run Blizzak on every Subaru i've had and I don't regret it. It drives like its on dry pavement most of the time.

 

Thanks for the replies! I ordered Bridgestone Blizzak ws90 for stock wheels.

I don't know if this sounds crazy, but I want to upgrade brakes. I feel like my WRX needs more stopping power. So after that I'll see about fitment for a set of wheels and tires for 3 seasons and a set for winter.

 

I just wrote a big post with all my winter tire research here -- check it out and lmk what you're thinking!

 

I just brought a new 2022 WRX base a week ago this last Saturday. I took off the WRX Dunlap summer tires and OEM rims. I bought a set of 2016 WRX OEM rims. I put Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 tires on the 2016 WRX rims this last Friday.

The week before last, I used these new Pirelli tires for one 300 mile ski trip on my 1992 3000GT VR4 to White Pass and back. These Pirelli winter tires perform well.

I have not yet driven the WRX in snow yet. There is snow forecasted this week. I hope soon see how the Pirelli tires perform on the WRX very soon.

 

i just mounted steel wheels & snow tires to my 22 wrx base. 17” steel rims and 235-45-r17 champiro ice pro from discount tire.
Steel rims where from my previous vehicle which had 225-65-r17 snow tires which where to tall. The 225-65-r17 where too tall and would touch front wheel wells when turning.

 

Note: the steel rims are 5x114.3 by 17” which where purchased from summit racing about 7yrs ago. These are the black steel rims. I also purchased hub rings which are $10 for a set of 4.

 

Can someone explain the advantage behind having a thicker sidewall for snowtire?

16" vs 17" vs 18" ?

I was just going to use the stock 18's for winters and get something else for summer.

 

I don't know the argument behind a taller sidewall, but the idea behind a thinner tire aspect ratio is that there is more PSI at the contact patch to effectively cut through snow and slush and make contact with the solid surface below. Think: snowshoes vs. boots.

 

I had a set of General Altimax Arctics and quite liked them. They were like driving on marshmallows above 50F, but were fantastic for both rallycrossing and winter driving.