a narrow tire will cut through snow better and thats why tire rack recomments the size they do. There is no problem with a larger size snow tire and I would think the smaller rim size will give you more rubber between the road and rim to protect agains winters pot holes. just my 2 cents. I went with the 225 55 16 and they clear fine. I also had the sensors installed. Tire rack did call me to let me know why they did not recommend my size but I told them I still wanted the look.I got the Blizzak WS-50 for $58 a tire. Sensors were $42 each

 

The size I got is exactly the same width and height of the factory tire , but on a 17 inch wheel.

 

Well I am going with a 215/60/16

They are almost the sames size and dia as the stock 18 inch.

The HHR will not sit lower as the side wall size has increased. Also the revloutions per mile is only off by 2 which is as close as you can get.

I also factored the 16 inch wheels would hold better on the rough pot hole marked roads of winter than a larger wheel and lower profile tire.

The main reason I am going with a second set of tires is I want to take care of the factory wheels. Lets face it I have less in these 4 steel wheels and tires than it would cost to replace one factory wheel snd tire.

Also my city has a poor habit of not plowing my street.

 

As I said the rim fit clears the brakes just fine. The tires leave pretty well the same ground clearance too. I prefer to have the TPMs because I had a previous tire problem and the TPMs probably saved me a lot of money when I had a puncture on the Highway and it alerted me too the low presssure .
I got these in the Whitby, Ont. area. PM me and I'll give you the details.

 

Will tirerack install the TPMS?

Or are these installed after the tire is mounted? (i.e. I do it myself)


I'm not fimilar with these new fangled contraptions

 

Your valve stem is part of the TPM sensor. It is inside of the wheel, so it has to be done when the tires are mounted.

 

available for tirerack to do?

 

If you buy tires, rims and sensors from tire rack, they install sensors, mount tires and ballance for no extra cost

 

Tire rack is good if you get back across the border and not get caught for duty.

 

just gst and pst $13 on a hundred. I live 35 minutes from the boarder and have a mail box 1 mile on the other side. I claim what I pay at the boarder, just pay the tax and I am on my way. Not worth getting caught to save a few bucks. I bought every thing from tire rack back when the dollar was close to par. It has now slipped back to 84 cents