I currently have Continental ContiExtremeContact

Front 245/40/18
Rear 275/40/18

on kazera kz-a rims. When winter hits I was thinking of swaping ONLY the rear with rims with snowtires on, since it's mainly the rear that is sliding and have trouble with traction. So was thinking of getting two rims kazera 8.5x18 with

Rear 245/40/18

Questions
1-Is it safe to have 245 all around? The stock tires were 245 anyways. Obviously I won't be driving as hard as when it is summer time but would this throw off the car's balance? The tirerack.com webpage has a warning that says it should be isntalled in set of 4 only.

2-Which is better for snow Bridgestone Blizzak LV-22 or LM-25?

Thanks in advance.

 

1. It would be safe to run 245s all around on an 8.5 inch wheel. Handling will def be affected. I would not suggest getting only rear snow tires. The car needs to turn and a turn on summer tires in the snow would not be very good at all.

Best advice I can give is to buy all four snow tires. The summer tires just will not fair in the snow be it front or back. You could try but $700 for rubber on all fours or huge insurance rate increase per year b/c of an accident...

 

btw, Continental ContiExtremeContact that's on the car now is one of the best all-weather tire on the market, it's close to snow tires. But I wanted to have real snowtires and narrower tires to cut through the snow for better contact.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ExtremeContact

 

Nissan is now carrying the Dunlop - SP Winter Sport M3

 

that doesn't really help me though.

 

bumpedy bump

 

Agree. Snow tires on the rear only? Think about it. If the car wont go where you point it (steer), then rear traction is of little value.