Winter tires on fronts only?

[Panacea]

Okay, the Mazda (w/the crappy RSA's) is horrible in the snow. I slide like there's no other. I can't afford $1000 for a set of snow tires and rims and I was wondering if I could just get tires/wheels for the front only. I know they say that's bad to do, but I I'm more worried about front wheel traction, not rear. The only other thing I can think that may go wrong is that the rear tires will be worn more than the fronts that are off; however, the next year I could put the opposites on the rear. Anyone have any comments or suggestions?

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Panacea

Okay, the Mazda (w/the crappy RSA's) is horrible in the snow. I slide like there's no other. I can't afford $1000 for a set of snow tires and rims and I was wondering if I could just get tires/wheels for the front only. I know they say that's bad to do, but I I'm more worried about front wheel traction, not rear. The only other thing I can think that may go wrong is that the rear tires will be worn more than the fronts that are off; however, the next year I could put the opposites on the rear. Anyone have any comments or suggestions?

$1000 US...What are you talking about ?
Are you in Canada

Down size to 16" steel wheels & 205/55/16" winter tires.

Example:

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D in 205/55/16" are $94 US per tire.
4x $96 US = $384 US

16" black steel wheels around $50 each (maybe-?).
4x $50 US = $200 US

Complete set = $584 US.

Where are you getting quotes from ?

PS: It is now the middle of Jan.
Talk the tire places down.
They should be having winter tire clearance sales now.
(If they have any left.)

PSS: Get a 4-wheel alignment done too.
Everyone that I know that has a Mazda 3...needs new front tires sooner or later.
They wear out the inside of the front tires prematurely !!!
Camber issues ?

[Panacea]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

$1000 US...What are you talking about ?
Are you in Canada

Down size to 16" steel wheels & 205/55/16" winter tires.

Example:

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D in 205/55/16" are $94 US per tire.
4x $96 US = $384 US

16" black steel wheels around $50 each (maybe-?).
4x $50 US = $200 US

Complete set = $584 US.

Where are you getting quotes from ?

PS: It is now the middle of Jan.
Talk the tire places down.
They should be having winter tire clearance sales now.
(If they have any left.)

PSS: Get a 4-wheel alignment done too.
Everyone that I know that has a Mazda 3...needs new front tires sooner or later.
They wear out the inside of the front tires prematurely !!!

I went to tire rack... 17's that looked decent $120 or $130 ea. and the dunlops for $124 ea.

Also, I would have to add $220 to have the TPS system added into the wheels.

I could go 16's, but I do not want my mileage to be off. Wouldn't going with a smaller diameter tire a) make my speedo be off and b) make my mileage be off too?

As far as the TPS, I guess I could go without 'em, but I believe it disables my ABS system.

[cardude007617]

Originally Posted by Panacea

I could go 16's, but I do not want my mileage to be off. Wouldn't going with a smaller diameter tire a) make my speedo be off and b) make my mileage be off too?

As far as the TPS, I guess I could go without 'em, but I believe it disables my ABS system.

nah, you compensate by going with a larger "thickness" tire.

and ya, ABS would prbly be nice in snow......

[Panacea]

Mike, I haven't heard of the tire issue, but if that's the case, I'll let 'em wear down. Gives me an excuse to buy new tires. I wonder if it has anything to do with the rotation pattern, it's front to back, back to front no crossing. I literally am terrified of driving in the snow now. The GA w/RSA's wasnt' even this bad.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Panacea

I went to tire rack... 17's that looked decent $120 or $130 ea. and the dunlops for $124 ea.

Also, I would have to add $220 to have the TPS system added into the wheels.

I could go 16's, but I do not want my mileage to be off. Wouldn't going with a smaller diameter tire a) make my speedo be off and b) make my mileage be off too?

As far as the TPS, I guess I could go without 'em, but I believe it disables my ABS system.

Don't go for 17" winter tire package.
Unless you want them to make more money; or want to use your stock 17" rims (but why ? It's winter.)

Trust me...
Down size to a 16" winter tire & wheel package.
205/50/17" = 25.1" diameter
205/55/16" = 24.9" diameter
difference = 0.8% (which is in the allowable industry standard of 2% tolerance, when +/- tire sizes.)

205/55/16" are what orignal came on the Mazda 3's when they first came out.
& then later they went to 205/50/17" packages.
So unless you did a big brake upgrade, there is no reason for the 17" wheel/tire package for the winter.

TPS:
I am not sure.
But I would not think it would disable your ABS system; if it is a real tire pressure monitor.
You might/will get some error lights on your dash for the TPS.
Talk to a Mazda dealer or tire specialist place that is run-flat certified.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Panacea

Mike, I haven't heard of the tire issue, but if that's the case, I'll let 'em wear down. Gives me an excuse to buy new tires. I wonder if it has anything to do with the rotation pattern, it's front to back, back to front no crossing. I literally am terrified of driving in the snow now. The GA w/RSA's wasnt' even this bad.

I know of 3 owners of various Mazda 3 models, that have needed new front tires due premature wear on the front inside tires.
Almost looks like the camber is off.

[Panacea]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

I know of 3 owners of various Mazda 3 models, that have needed new front tires due premature wear on the front inside tires.
Almost looks like the camber is off.

Interesting... I've got over 14k on the car right now. I'm just did a rotation about 1000 miles ago and I didn't notice any premature wearing. I'll definitly keep a lookout though.

[Gt00]

Originally Posted by Panacea

I was wondering if I could just get tires/wheels for the front only. I know they say that's bad to do

Over steer city , 4 winter tires are recommended or stick to all the same on each axel ....

[Shock24Z]

Originally Posted by Gt00

Over steer city , 4 winter tires are recommended or stick to all the same on each axel ....

I don't know if it would be that bad... theres still no power to the rear tires and I'm sure the winter tires in the front would only allow so much grip. Regardless I would recommend 4 at a time as well.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Shock24Z

I don't know if it would be that bad... theres still no power to the rear tires and I'm sure the winter tires in the front would only allow so much grip...

^
So says the guy who spins-out in the car that has only front winter tires.

Just hope the guy behind them isn't following them too closely, when they do a left turn

[Panacea]

Well, if I can have steelies and tires for $500 or under then I will definitely do it. I told the wife that I need them for next year. Tire Rack's out of steelies for the season.

Now, would it be recommended letting the Mazda dealer or tire place install the TPS sensors, mount and balance the tires or should I let the Tire Rack do that?

[Blackbombshell9]

It is much safer to go with winter tires on all 4's. It is not recommended to do otherwise.

[Shock24Z]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

^
So says the guy who spins-out in the car that has only front winter tires.

Just hope the guy behind them isn't following them too closely, when they do a left turn

Winter tires are for the weak.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Shock24Z

Winter tires are for the weak.

Yeah, ok I am weak for:

Having Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 winter performance tires on my GA.

& buying Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi winter tires for my mom's Sunfire GT.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by Panacea

Well, if I can have steelies and tires for $500 or under then I will definitely do it. I told the wife that I need them for next year. Tire Rack's out of steelies for the season.

Now, would it be recommended letting the Mazda dealer or tire place install the TPS sensors, mount and balance the tires or should I let the Tire Rack do that?

Now would be the time to get the winter tires on the cheap (if they still have available stock).
Think clearance discounts.

If you get the TPS monitor devices:
Make sure you do it all at once
Meaning, you don't want someone like tire rack to mount & balance the tires.
& then have to dismount them to install the TPS monitor devices to the inside of the wheels, on the tire valves.

PS: Oh yeah Panacea...

I found on a Mazda forum last night.

If you don't have the TPS monitor mounted in the wheel's tire valve:
you will have a warning light flash & stays on after about 15-20 minutes of driving.

I leave it for you to decide if those devices are worth the price, to get another set.

[H.O. Driver]

Just get some winter tires mounted on your stockers, mountning and balancing is only about $12 a tire in my neck of the woods. I am not sure if they need to do something different with the TPS's though.

You can run just snow tires up front, I know lots who do. You will slide around quite a bit but no worse than driving RWD in the snow. I think its fun driving a FWD car around thats sliding like its RWD yea, I am crazy so don't take all my advice

[Pinnacle]

I have 225/60/16s Ultra grip ice up front and 215/55/16s eagles in the back!

Car drives ok.

[SpyhunteR]

Shouldn't This Be Moved To The Appropriate Section!~?

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by SpyhunteR

Shouldn't This Be Moved To The Appropriate Section!~?

x2, this has nothing to do with performance. Should be in tires and suspension.