Miata Mailing List: December 1996, Message #91
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   From: (none)

Subject: Re: Studded Snow Tires

   Date: (none)



On Mon, 2 Dec 1996, Jeff Webber (Exchange) wrote:



> Washington State allows studded snow tires in the winter and I've been

> doing a lot of skiing that takes me up some mountain passes that can be

> quite interesting for driving.

> 

> I was wondering if anyone has experience with studded snow tires and

> tire chains on the miata.  Should I get smaller wheels so that I can put

> narrower tires on for the snow?  Is there enough clearance in the wells

> for chains (cable type)?

> 

> I've heard that some older honda civic had the same bolt pattern and a

> close enough offset to be used as a good snow tire wheel but I don't

> know the details?



Jeff, the Miata behaves quite well without studs (I ice race mine) but if

you do choose to run studs, I see no problem with it.  You can either

stick with the stock 185-60-R14, go to a 165-70-R14, or find some 13"

wheels from a 1990+ 323, Protege, or any Honda Civic, VW's, Toyota's, as

long as they're 4 on 100 for a bolt pattern.  Then you can run 165-80-R13,

175-70-R13, etc...



If you're really worried about the snow and such, I'd recommend the Nokian

(Nokia) Hakkapiliitta 10, which is also studdable.



Regards,



Richard Dekker, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, M-CLUB #90, MCofA #41997

Founder & President, Wild Rose Chapter - Miata Club of America



1990 MX-5 Miata - Mariner Blue with double white stripes