using smaller rim

[sb10421]

My mother in law has a 2009 mazda 3 gx sedan with the comfort package. Last year she got 15 inch hubcentric rims from costco and put 195x65r16 winter tires on them (same tire size as alloys that came with car). She just bought a new 2015 mazda 3 gs with 16 inch rims and a 205x60r16 tire. She's wondering if she can use the 15 inch winter tires and rims on the new car... The dealership said no then tried to sell her a winter package. I'm looking for a second opinion...

[Default User]

I don't think the 15's will clear the brake calipers.

[Reddie1337]

All depends on caliper now, I don't know if they made the rotors bigger on the 3rd gen. Before you could use 15" rims on the 2.0, even with the 16" factory ones. I can check at work Monday to see. It depends on the clearance.

[lazycro]

16 is the minimum now

[Johns 08 3 GT]

16 is the minimum now

Yup. 15's will not fit on the 3rd gen cars. The dealer is not trying to scam you.

[sarujo]

OP should put the steelies and winter tires up for sale in the classifieds to sell

[danacosta24]

Dealership told me that if I ran the 15's the tire diameter wouldn't be enough and i'd run everything real low. Also the speedometer would be off by like 6.7% or something like that. so it would say you're going 96, but really going 104. That would also void your warranty a lot sooner consider you'd rack up the KM on the computer even though you won't be travelling as far as it says. Granted you would have to drive a lot in the winter, but still.

[jeffjones]

Dealership told me that if I ran the 15's the tire diameter wouldn't be enough and i'd run everything real low. Also the speedometer would be off by like 6.7% or something like that. so it would say you're going 96, but really going 104. That would also void your warranty a lot sooner consider you'd rack up the KM on the computer even though you won't be travelling as far as it says. Granted you would have to drive a lot in the winter, but still.
That's only if you are using the wrong tire size.
I have 18" rims on my Mazda 3 and the odometer is the exact same as when I use my 16" or 17" rims because the tire sizes vary to make up the difference.

[greyseason]

You're km Will go up more quickly with a smaller ratio? I guess that makes sense but never thought of that

[Cab0oze]

Dealership told me that if I ran the 15's the tire diameter wouldn't be enough and i'd run everything real low. Also the speedometer would be off by like 6.7% or something like that. so it would say you're going 96, but really going 104. That would also void your warranty a lot sooner consider you'd rack up the KM on the computer even though you won't be traveling as far as it says. Granted you would have to drive a lot in the winter, but still.They're exaggerating a bit about the speed, it is a bit less than that. [edit - nm, thought you were the OP] As long as you are aware of it, then there is no problem (and is worth the money saved). Could also have a GPS up to give you your actual speed if you're not sure.
As others pointed out, the important thing is if they will fit or not. This takes 15 minutes to check. Jack the car up, swap one of the front tires, and if you can get it over the calipers and spin the wheel (in neutral) with no noises then you're set.
Also note that some 15"s MAY fit. I know on the speeds, some people said that their 16"s didn't fit, and other's did get them to fit. For noobs that don't know what to look for here, this is the rims just barely clearing the caliper (16" wheels on a speed3):
http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/267/img00003200911261552.jpg

[danacosta24]

You're km Will go up more quickly with a smaller ratio? I guess that makes sense but never thought of that


honda had a big lawsuit against them for their 02-06 models for something similar to this. My girlfriends dad was telling me about it since he works at honda, I don't know all the details about it. But when I was talking tire size with him as well, he told me about it

[danacosta24]

That's only if you are using the wrong tire size.
I have 18" rims on my Mazda 3 and the odometer is the exact same as when I use my 16" or 17" rims because the tire sizes vary to make up the difference.

yes sorry, I should have specified with wrong tire size. You're right

[sarujo]

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator/205-60R16/195-65R15