Miata Mailing List: December 1992, Message #65
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   From: (none)
Subject: Snow Tires
   Date: (none)


Well, after a fairly long search for a cheap way to get snow tires for
my Miata, I found a reasonable solution.


The Problem:

	Miatas come with "High performance" low profile 185/60-14 
	tires on them.  Snow tires in this size are rather pricey
	in the $75/Tire range. Additionally, Mazda wants $95 for
	steel wheels, so a complete set of tires and wheels will cost
	you well over $700 (mounted, balanced,etc)


	Even if you could find wheels from junk yards, the tires will still
	set you back quite a bit given the  low profile design.


The solution:

	It turns out that Miatas will accept 13" wheels.  Mazda has 
	just put the 14" wheels on to get the right outside diameter 
	of the tire with low profile tires.  With 13" wheels, you can
	now put a /70 series tire on and have the outside diameter
	of the tire be just about the same.  (within a quarter inch)


	I found that wheels from an '82 Honda (13") fit just fine, and 
	installed 185/70-13 snow tires.  The wheels are pretty common
	and junkyards have plenty of them.  The tires set me back $50/Tire
	so the whole 4 wheels/tire setup costs less than $250.



	I put two 82 Honda wheels on the Miata yesterday and will put the
	other two on this weekend after I pick them up.  I'm sure other
	wheels will fit also.  The bolt-circle diameter is 100mm (just about
	4 inches) so they're pretty easy to find.




	Admittedly, this solution is only for those who won't be driving
	their Miatas hard as the higher sidewalls will give a little more
	play and thus a little less stability.  However, given that 
	these ARE snowtires, and this is temporary, it's a reasonable solution





Bill Jackson
Alpha AXP Workstation Product Marketing Manager
Digital Equipment Corporation
146 Main Street
Maynard, MA 01754

Mail:	Jackson@pravda.enet.dec.com