Just contemplating next winter...

Since previous Z's had 17" wheels on them, is it logical that I could use 17" wheels for winter tires on my 2008? Part of the reason for this would be taller sidewalls (better pothole protection).

If it's been covered, I apologize... I searched but came up empty.

 

Sure can. No problem.

 

Thanks!

I am discussing the purchase of a set of 2003 Enthusiast wheels... would those work without additional spacers?

 

You might want to do a test fit before you buy. The '06 on up have larger brakes than the '03 to '05 models. I'm not certain they will clear the calipers.

Les

 

make sure they fit over brembos and your good. i know that even the stock 17's from 03-05 would work with brembos.

 

17” wheels work fine. In fact this is the preferred size for winter tires.

• The higher sidewall provides better protection (the potholes you mention).
• There is a greater selection of winter tires for 17” wheels.
• Winter tires for 17” wheels co$t less than tires for 18” wheels

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Re> “I am discussing the purchase of a set of 2003 Enthusiast wheels... would those work without additional spacers?”

That’s a good choice since that works perfectly and should cost very little. You don’t want spacers since it’s better to have the tires tucked well into the wheel well. You throw a lot more debris off the tires (especially snow tires) during winter driving.
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The ideal size for your winter tires is Front: 225/50-17” and Rear: 225/55-17” (or 235/50-17”)

Or… an all-square setup (so that you can rotate your winter tires and extend the life), mount 225/55-17” on all four wheels.

--Spike

A pic of a Z with a winter setup consisting of 225/55-17” tires on 17x7.5” wheels with 30 offset.

 

Thanks, Spike!!

One final question... do 2003 wheels have the TPS sensors or would I have to get some mounted on them?

 

they will work fine...I have 06+ rims on my 2004 Z(17" rims stock)..why wouldnt it work vise versa.

2003-2004 rims dont have the sensors

 

As zerafian states, stock 2003 17” wheels do not have TPMS sensors.

About TPMS: I have a 2003 Performance model (and thus, TPMS), but I only use the sensors in my summer performance setup (wheels and tires) and do not mount TPMS sensors in my winter setup. Here’s why:

• It’s a hassle to run two sets of wheels/tires (both with TPMS) because you must reprogram your car when changing the setup from summer to winter when you mount your dedicated wheels and tires. The fee charged by the dealer is modest, but you have to do this each time you swap setups.
• If you go “all-square” (i.e., 225/55-17” all around) so that you can rotate your winter wheels/tires, you must pay a fee to the dealer to reprogram your car to the different TPMS setup every time you rotate your winter wheels. That’s not terribly expensive, but it’s a hassle. I rotate my winter tires when I do an oil change.

During the winter months, I do a manual check on the winter tires every 4 or 5 days. That approach works fine (in fact, I check my TPMS-supported summer times on the same schedule).

I’m sure your next question is: What happens with my TPMS equipped car when I run wheels without sensors?

The answer depends upon the model year of your Z.

• With older Z’s, your LCD displays “F----R----.” With newer Z’s, you see the warning light on your dash.
• With either (older or newer) model, you won’t get the annoying and continual audio beeping if you do not have sensors in the wheels (that only happens with mounted sensors that are not functioning correctly or working correctly with inadequate tire pressures).

Hope this helps.

--Spike

 

i have an 06 and use the stock 17" for winter use

 

Spike:

It does. I have a 2008 Touring.

OK, final-final question (I hope - maybe) - Will the swap affect my TCS/VSC?

 

^^ You won’t have any problems with 17” wheels on your VDC/TCS-equipped Z car as long as you mount tires close to the stock dimensions which are:

• Front: 25.9" (Overall Diameter)
• Rear: 26.7" (Overall Diameter)

Actually, that’s true regardless of wheel size (17, 18, 19, or 20” wheels).

The ideal size for your winter tires is Front: 225/50-17” and Rear: 225/55-17” (or 235/50-17”).

I have a Performance model (and thus VDC), and I have no problem with 17” wheels and winter tires. Actually, my current winter-setup isn’t exactly sized-as-stock. I’m running an all-square setup (225/55-17” on all four corners) so that I can rotate the winter tires. I’m not having any problem with my VDC-equipped Performance model using this setup.

Additional Note: I tried an all-square setup that was 225/50-17”, and I did experience unwanted VDC activation.

--Spike