I have a quick question for my 2000 civic EX.

Current all-seaon tires are 185-65-14 (as were th stocks).
I want to get winter tires soon but am confused with what some retailers are telling me about sizes. Some says stick with the 185-65-14 others say go with 175-65-14. I got a pretty decent deal on the 175's but don't know if i should go smaller, any thoughts?

I live in Toronto we get quite a bit of snow but it gets plowed pretty quickly.

 

The skinnier the tire the better. Buy studded tires if you can.

 

get atv tires.....j/k, lol

 

I have a dog sled so no need for an ATV, lol

But seriously speaking... what is the real difference between 185 & 175 and which is better for winter tires?

 

There won't be that much of a difference, but if you want the best winter tire, it depends on the rim width you use. 175 would be good though, it more so depends on the tire itself and the tread pattern.

 

Look at what a noob I am. I was told a rim is a rim is a rim, if bolt patterns (4x100) are the same and inches (14) are the same then its all good.

I was planning on using my stock steelie rims then buy new rims in the spring with new all seasons.

So, my idea will not work?

 

175's are not as wide as 185's. They will work fine on your stock rims. The reason a tire that is not as wide does better is because there is less of a contact patch on the ground meaning that there is less area for snow/ice/sleet/rain to get under and induce hydroplaining, traction loss.

 

Just get the same size tire..... 10mm diff. .... you won't notice, but the car will (might)
don't get a smaller tire. simple

 

Do NOT get 175/65R14s for your winter tires! You will lose precious ground clearance. Not only are 175/65R14s narrower than your stock 185/65R14s, they are also smaller in diameter (23.1"). The difference is miniscule, but sometimes a few mm in clearance can make a difference when you're low-slung Civic is dragging itself across a plow-drift.

If you want to go narrower, that's great. Make sure the narrower tires are AT LEAST as tall as your stockers though. 185/65R14s are about 23.5" tall. You would probably want something like a 175/70R14 (23.8") if you really wanted to go narrower than stock.

The stock size is never a BAD idea on a stocker, BTW. You KNOW they'll fit the car and the rims. There just may be better sizes out there, depending on your needs. I run 195/60R14s all year, and they do ok when the tread is newer. Stockers or narrower would probably be slightly better in snow though.

 

get the stock size tire, and try to get studded tires like marty said