Hi

I'm driving 2010 XF Portfolio with 255/35 R20 all season tires. Now I'm looking for winter tires - should I go with the same size or smaller/narrower?
Somebody suggested 19" but I am not sure why and what width should I go for then?

 

Where do you live or what type of ice,snow climate are you driving in?

 

I'm in Toronto, Canada. Last Saturday we had big snowfall and I stuck several times on the traffic lights... After that I decided I need winter tires

 

If you are really riding on 225/35 20s, those are much narrower than what would normally be fitted to 20 in wheels on the XF - did you actually mean 255/35? If so, you should just stick with that size. Even is they are staggered with 275 on the back, you could go to the 255/35 on all four...

 

It's actually 255/35 R20 - my mistake... Problem is I am having hard time sourcing 20" Winter Tires, 19" is much easier to find...

 

There are a few brands that carry winter tires in the 255/35R20 size, but you would likely experience somewhat better snow/ice performance with 18 or 19 in wheels and narrower tires. Of course, then you're investing in an additional set of wheels for what will likely not be a monumental leap forward in snow performance...

 

So basically the performance increase with smaller wheels is not worth it, right?
I found Bridgestone Blizzaks 20" for $350/tire and Dunlops for the same price, so might as well stick with 20"

 

You will be fine with your 20's and winter tires. Don't get me wrong, it's a RWD car with all the limitations that entails, but in Toronto you should have no issues.

 

I went with the Nokian WRG2 in 255/35/20. They have been alright so far. I live in Calgary and we have had a few snow storms in the last couple of weeks. I have had no issues in the snow.

 

The investment in a tire and wheel winter set up is probably a break even deal over 4-5 years of ownership. I switch the rubber on my oem 20 inch staggered setup at $160 per change over. That's $320 per year . I have one of the two top rated snow tires, Nokian Hakka R's (spelling abbreviated). Going into my second winter now. I would recommend dropping down a size and getting a dedicated winter wheel/ tire setup. Any advantage gained in driving with a smaller wheel/ tire is warranted. If you only drive in the city then maybe dropping down a size could be reconsidered. I drive on interstate and in changing elevation terrain and would have liked any advantage. My oem wheels have been scuffed from winter driving and the change over cost is steep. I figure you can likely get half of you investment in the winter wheel tire set back if you sell the car. It is costlier up front as you will need a tpsm set also. If you don't have an XFR or SC then smaller wheels are easier to source and cheaper. Just my thoughts.

 

JaguNy,

You seem to be very familiar with tire/wheel sizing and fitment so please let me know if you can answer the following;

My 2012 XF is running on 18 inch OEM wheels and 245/45/18 tires.

What specs would I need for the wheels and tires if I want to minus one down to a 17 inch winter tire? OEM wheels are 18x8.5 5x108 bolt pattern with an offset of 49mm.

I appreciate any input that you can provide. Thanks.

Ed

 

I'm not sure why you'd want to go with non Jaguar 17in wheels, when you could go the opposite direction and get Jaguar 19in wheels/tires, which look nicer, and then use your 18in wheels for the snows. 17 in wheels on a 2012 XF are not going to be an attractive look, IMHO.

 

You aren't going to be able to fit 17" wheels over the factory brakes.

 

There is a tire size calculator on the wheel and tire forum posted by badger84 that can provide the conversion information, but if 17's don't fit no need to recalculate. Tire rack also has one and Internet search will provide others for future reference. I had trouble finding 19's to fit over the brakes on the SC but I don't know now the specifics of the non-SC version brakes.

 

Hi Ed - the benefit of downsizing from the 20inch wheels is that the metal wheel is large and the amount of rubber tyre around it (the sidewall) is relatively small on the 20inch setup. This gives little flex to absorb the rough road conditions in the winter, and if you hit a pothole at speed you will probably destroy the wheel. You also get a bit better traction on corners with more sidewall flex.
You already have 18inch wheels - and the total size of the wheel + tyre is almost identical. You have 2 inches less in diameter of metal wheel but you have 2 inches more of rubber sidewall (almost one inch all the way around the tyre). See link to a tyre size calculator below - if you put in 255/35/20 (the 20inch setup) and 245/45/18 (your setup) you'll see there is only a 1% difference in total diameter - hence you have a lot more rubber tyre sidewall.
Tire Size Calculator - Compare Tire Sizes

So you already have plenty of sidewall and your wheels would be great for the winter.
As someone above suggested, you could consider putting winter tyres on the 18inch wheels and getting a set of Jag 19inch wheels to put your other tyres on (although you'd need a new set of summer tyres as the current ones wouldn't fit a 19inch wheel).

Hope that helps to explain. If I were you I'd just get a set of 18 inch snow tyres and swap them over - it's the cheapest option - although as Jaguny says if you plan to own for a while then maybe a cheap set of 18 inch wheels for the winter tyres would pay off.

 

that's what I drive during winter
the haccapelita r very expensive in size 20 but very good tire on snow on ice and you have a good traction too!.

 

Thanks everyone for your input.

Nate 96,

I see that you are using the Nokian WR2.

From what I have read there is now a Nokian WR3 and while built as a good snow tire, it as being advertised as an all weather tire. Not all season but all weather. Consumer Reports and many other magazines have rated it very good as a snow tire and good as a summer tire.

I spoke with a Nokian dealer here in New Jersey and he can get them in a day or so in my 245/45/18 size. He also raved about them for all types of weather and a set of 4 OTD was under $1,000.

Are you planning to run them all year round? Did you use them this fall and summer and how did they do? I am really interested in this tire. Thanks.

Ed

 

Ed Ogintz,

I have only been running the WRG2 for a couple of weeks. In those weeks I have seen a wide variety of weather. It has been -22F, snowed 2 feet then warmed up to 50F then below freezing. I have ran dedicated winter tires for the last several years. I must say that keeping in mind that WRG2 are considered an all weather tire it does well. Where it lacks is on the ice compared to the winter tires. Not that it is bad, it is actually good just does not compare to the winter tires. On the snow and in the cold the tires are great. I am very happy with the tires. Since it is not normal to be driving on ice it is a reason I choose them. I also have an XFR so that torque doesn't help haha. The reviews I have read are that the WRG3 are better but are not available in the 20's that I needed. I plan on running a dedicated summer tire.

 

I've used these Nokian WR on a SAAB and a Mazda. They perform as advertized. If you get warm snowy winters without a lot of ice then these perform exceptionally well. They work in summer temperatures also.