Hi Folks,
I live in Buffalo, New York and want to NOT run my 18" rims in the winter. My thought is to get a set of 16" rims (prefer HHR 16's) and run a larger snow tire that would equal the 225/45-R18's size. Anyone have any experience doing this or have suggestions?

Jim

Hi Folks,
I live in Buffalo, New York and want to NOT run my 18" rims in the winter. My thought is to get a set of 16" rims (prefer HHR 16's) and run a larger snow tire that would equal the 225/45-R18's size. Anyone have any experience doing this or have suggestions?

Jim

Jim, I am looking to do the same thing here in Detroit. I have not found out if a 16" HHR wheel will fit over the brakes yet. If it does, I will go with a stock size 215/55 - 16 winter tire. The tires I looked at have an OD of 25.4" as compared to our OEM 225/45 - 18 tires at 25.9". This is close enough for me if the wheels fit over the brakes. G.B.

Looking for that answer as welL. have the tires from my previous vehicle, will need to purchase new rims - if they'll (and I'm guess they wiil) fit?

Just bought 225/55 x 16 Blizzak closeouts from Tire Rack for $60 each. They are gorgeous with 13/32" tread depth. However, I have not mounted them yet and cannot verify they will fit but T R thinks they will. 25.9" diameter vs. stock 25.3". A little wider, too.

Just bought 225/55 x 16 Blizzak closeouts from Tire Rack for $60 each. They are gorgeous with 13/32" tread depth. However, I have not mounted them yet and cannot verify they will fit but T R thinks they will. 25.9" diameter vs. stock 25.3". A little wider, too.

Danko, are you mounting these on an SS? G.B.

Good point about the brakes. Hadn't thought of that.
I can get snows for the 18's, just thought a smaller rim with extra sidewall would be better defense against those unseen potholes.

JIm

Just across the river from you in Ontario. I pick up my new 08 SS tomorrow. I got an 07 HHR LT for my sister last year and purchased a set of 16 inch wheels with the blizzacs for it. Soon as I get the car home I will put on one of her 16`s to make sure they fit before I buy rims and snows. I already hate the thought of driving it in the winter :(

Just across the river from you in Ontario. I pick up my new 08 SS tomorrow. I got an 07 HHR LT for my sister last year and purchased a set of 16 inch wheels with the blizzacs for it. Soon as I get the car home I will put on one of her 16`s to make sure they fit before I buy rims and snows. I already hate the thouhgt of driving it in the winter :(

SS HHR CDN, thant would be great to hear if the 16" wheels clear the brakes on an SS. I am sure there are a few guys on here that would like to know including me. Thanks! G.B.

Wouldn't mind knowing myself... have a line on some cheap 16's that I'll grab if they fit

I'll just drive the Avalanche on snowy days, which in the last couple winters have not been very often here in NJ. With my luck, we will get five blizzards this winter after I buy the HHR.....

SS HHR CDN, thant would be great to hear if the 16" wheels clear the brakes on an SS. I am sure there are a few guys on here that would like to know including me. Thanks! G.B.

I went to get one of my sister winter wheels and they are 17 inch not 16. I`ll check with the dealer to see if they know if 16`s will fit.

Thanks for checking. I guess 17's are very expensive for tires so 16's would be ideal.

Jim

GB, Nope. I have an LS and Tire Rack says one size bigger will fit. I will not try until late October or so but had to buy these closeout Blizzaks for $60/regular $118 at Tire Rack (no sales tax and cheap shipping). 13/32" tread depth is unusual and impressive. If you look at the ratings of these tires on Tire Racks info pages, they are in the 8.9 to 9.2 range for ice traction, light and deep snow traction. Sounds like what the Buffalo guy needs?

i just started a new thread (before i saw this one, lol) about the great deal I just got on tire rack! check it out!

I'm in Buffalo too.

Looking at the published specs at Chevy.com, it states the front rotors are the same diameter across he product line... so the 16's SHOULD fit... I think...

Front Rotor size (in.) (dia. x thick.)
front disc/rear drum with availableABS.......... front disc/rear disc with ABS

11.65 x 1.02.............................................. .......11.65 x 1.02

Rear
Drum size (in.) (dia. x thick.) 9.84 x 1.7 –
Rotor size (in.) (dia. x thick.) – 9.84 x 0.55

Looking at the published specs at Chevy.com, it states the front rotors are the same diameter across he product line... so the 16's SHOULD fit... I think...

Front Rotor size (in.) (dia. x thick.)
front disc/rear drum with availableABS.......... front disc/rear disc with ABS

11.65 x 1.02.............................................. .......11.65 x 1.02

Rear
Drum size (in.) (dia. x thick.) 9.84 x 1.7 –
Rotor size (in.) (dia. x thick.) – 9.84 x 0.55

All I can tell you is that the owners manual says that the space saver spare will not fit on the front of an SS. It goes on to say that if you get a flat on a front tire you have to move the rear wheel/tire to the front and put the spare on the rear. Maybe the front brake caliper is bigger on an SS? I dont know. G.B.

That maybe true for all models that the space saver will not fit the front. We looked at all three wheel sizes on the dealers lot and the brakes look and mesured the same for 16 ls, 17 lt and 18 ss . I think they will fit.

Hum, I had to use the spare in the front of my LS a couple of months ago, and it does fit. You see, I just bought a set of rotors and the vendor was telling me that two sizes were available: 276 mm diameter (which my '07 LS has), and a 296 mm diameter (which I suspect the SS has). I believe (but don't bet your life on it) the LS and LT both use the smaller (10.86") rotor.

Yves

I did some research on the SS tires and wheels. This what I came up with(correct me if I'm wrong)

SS Tires- P225/45R/18

SS Rim Size- 18x7.5, 5x110 bolt, 42mm offset, circumference 2072.51 mm,
RR 329.85mm

Winter Tire- P215/60R/16,

Winter Rim size- 16x5.5 to 16x7 ,5x110 bolt, 40 to 44 mm offset, circumference2087.27, RR 332.2 mm.

Speed- P225/45R/18= 70 mph---P215/60R/16= 70.5 mph(approx)

just my :2cents:

I did some research on the SS tires and wheels. This what I came up with(correct me if I'm wrong)

SS Tires- P225/45R/18

SS Rim Size- 18x7.5, 5x110 bolt, 42mm offset, circumference 2072.51 mm,
RR 329.85mm

Winter Tire- P215/60R/16,

Winter Rim size- 16x5.5 to 16x7 ,5x110 bolt, 40 to 44 mm offset, circumference2087.27, RR 332.2 mm.

Speed- P225/45R/18= 70 mph---P215/60R/16= 70.5 mph(approx)

just my :2cents:

You came up with what I had.

I just sold my GMC Monday so I will get mey 16 inch wheels this week and try it to make sure they fit before I paint.

There was a previous thread that verified that the 16's fit an SS... No Problem. I also have this verified by TireRack. I just purchased 16x6.5 plus 205/60R16 Blizzak's with the 315MHZ TPMS sensors. In the descriptions, they specify the HHR SS. They arrive EO October.

Sorry here's the link to the thread with a pic of the 16's mounted on an SS...

http://chevyhhr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16790&page=2&highlight=steel+wheels

I conclude the HHR Owners Manual is written with the assumption the Brembos were to have been standard in 2008 . . . which they weren't :(

You came up with what I had.

I just sold my GMC Monday so I will get mey 16 inch wheels this week and try it to make sure they fit before I paint.

Hyperv6, I would appreciate a PM when you get them fitted. I would like to know if the are a good fit.

So looking to run winter 16"s in the upcoming winter instead of the 18"s. There are slight variations. 205/55R16, 215/55R16 215/60R16. 225/60R16...does it really matter as far as fitment?

I notice the Tirerack Blizzak REVO's are still on...with shipping to Canada costing as much as the tires, though, then the price dispairty up here for something similar, isn't that much of a difference.

Still may go with them from Tire Rack along with some steel wheels.

My other question is the TPMS sensors. I haven't seen a definiative answer..if I run the winters without TPMS, what's going to happen? The warning on the DIC everytime I start up? (which can be removed by pushing the info button like any other warning message), and the yellow warning light on? Anything more?

Again, probably should get the TPMS sensors, but just exploring options. IF I do all of the above, it turns 4 66$ US tires at Tirerack into over an 1100$ CDN package with steel wheels and TPMS sensors and shipping....and those tires aren't even on the vehicle yet.

Local options, as I said, are then not that far off price wise, with less shipping hassels....although no shop I talked to mentioned the TPMS system and/or what it would cost on top of the prices quoted.

TIA.