Tires Canadian owners

[Digital Man]

So my rear tires are bald again...:mad2:

Anyway, no OEs in sight so I shopping for aftermarket tires. I'm looking at the Nitto 420 255/55R18. Has anyone in Canada or more specifically in the Hamilton/Burlington area purchased these? My mechanic quoted me $261 each whereas on discounttiredirect.com they are $132ea. The total price from them which includes customs is $390. Has anyone bought from discounttiredirect.com?

Also, my mechanic is telling me that I need to get 255/50R18, he says that when you go up a size in width you need to go down a size in the profile. Can anyone confirm this? I've posted in the garage as well but I thought I would ask my fellow canucks on this.

Thanks! :beer:

[Taemian]

Depends on a few things. If you don't have traction control, you can bump up the width and not worry about the profile, within reason. 245 or 255 is just fine with 55s. Remember, we can fit 295-305 width wise on widened rims.

If you have traction control, you need to shut it off running non stock sizes, the computer will see it as slipping and do silly things.

Your mechanic is refering to the "Plus One" tire rule, you can google that. He is correct that it is recommended, but we have lots of room so it isn't absolutely neccessary.

[Dr Caleb]

What Taemian said.

If you do the calculations, the 255/55 series ends up being 2cm larger than the 245/55's, and the 255/50 is 1.2 cm larger. Or thereabouts.

Not a big difference.

[freakstatus]

PM 2DMax. He has dealt with Discount Tire and recommends them. I think he drove across the line to have them installed though. Are you close to a US border?

[freakstatus]

Depends on a few things. If you don't have traction control, you can bump up the width and not worry about the profile, within reason. 245 or 255 is just fine with 55s. Remember, we can fit 295-305 width wise on widened rims.

If you have traction control, you need to shut it off running non stock sizes, the computer will see it as slipping and do silly things.

So, even with 255/55 we need to shut off traction control? I didn't think there was that much of a speedo difference with these.

[SC Cheesehead]

So, even with 255/55 we need to shut off traction control? I didn't think there was that much of a speedo difference with these.

If you're running OEM BFG's in the front and 255/55's in the rear, no problem with the T/C.

If you run the same size on all four corners, then yes, you'll have problems.

[rayjay]

If you're running OEM BFG's in the front and 255/55's in the rear, no problem with the T/C.

If you run the same size on all four corners, then yes, you'll have problems.

+1, running 255s on my 04 w/out any TC/ABS issues.

[freakstatus]

If you're running OEM BFG's in the front and 255/55's in the rear, no problem with the T/C.

If you run the same size on all four corners, then yes, you'll have problems.

Ok, thanks.

[Got_1]

i also priced out some Nitto's from discountire. i'll be pulling the trigger on them later this spring. No one could beat that deal. i'd be interested in hearing how the transaction goes if you do decide to order them online.

[Serge]

Have you thought about going over the border to Buffalo and buying tires there? You will save a lot of money.

[GetMeMyStogie]

This place is in Buffalo, roughly 30 minutes from Hamilton. They offer a discount to Canadians if you buy 4 tires. Maybe you can find someone to split a set.

http://www.buffalonytires.com/

I bought 4 Nokians from them last fall. Not only did they get them the same day (or perhaps next day, I can't remember), the price was outstanding! I got lucky bringing them home across the border, too. Customs dude wasn't in the mood, and let me pass, even though I told him I had them. No GST! I didn't get them mounted - I was (needlessly) afraid of problems at Customs.

[GetMeMyStogie]

Btw, 245/55/18 static unloaded diameter is 28.6 inches, OEM front rotates 5% more then OEM rear.
255/55/18 static unloaded diameter is 29.0 inches, OEM front rotates 6.6% more than this size (this size is bigger than stock, so it has fewer rotations per km).
255/50/18 static unloaded diameter is 28.0 inches, OEM front rotates 2.9% more than this size.

If the TC is looking for a 5% difference, the 255/55/18 is closer to that than the 255/50/18. People here report the 255/55/18 works okay. The 255/50/18 probably works okay, too, but you might be the first to find out. I don't know how much tolerance the TC computer has.

Otoh, the 255/55/18 is a bit bigger, and probably looks better, than the 255/50/18, which is a bit smaller than OEM.

[rayjay]

I did some quick looking and it appears the tire choices with the 255/50/18 are limited and more exspensive.

[Digital Man]

They are more expensive. And based on that it was cheaper to buy them locally through my mechanic.

Hmm...so I am the ginny pig for 255/50R18? Nice. :sweat:

I would think a lower profile actually might look cool. Anyway, they are on order. I still have my BFG OEs on the front. So I'll let you know how it goes.

[rayjay]

They are more expensive. And based on that it was cheaper to buy them locally through my mechanic.

Hmm...so I am the ginny pig for 255/50R18? Nice. :sweat:

I would think a lower profile actually might look cool. Anyway, they are on order. I still have my BFG OEs on the front. So I'll let you know how it goes.
If your MM is an 04 let us know how these work out.

[Canadasvt]

Contact http://www.tires23.com/ in Mississauga. This is where I purchased my 4 OEM tires last year.

[Aren Jay]

..........

[Digital Man]

Ok, so they are on. They look really nice, I'll try to post a pic.

My Marauder is an '04 and sure enough, when I am over 100KM and turning or exiting a highway (off ramp) the traction control starts to freak out. Over 125KM going straight it varies but it has freaked out a couple of times now. So I am driving without TC for the summer.

[GetMeMyStogie]

That sucks :(
Sounds like the 255/50's are right at the limit of what the computer considers acceptable. A little 'nudge' and..."The c'mputer says NO!!"

[mossiehorn]

got a set of Michelins from Green and Ross, they matched the price at 23 Tire. So far no issues with the Michelins (MXM4)