Thanks for the answers.  Will get 4 snow tires for the 15s and switch with the seasons.  Now to get a good snow tire!

> On Nov 24, 2016, at 1:35 PM, Rolf Lockwood <rolf.lockwood@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Please don't install just a pair of winter tires on your Westy, whatever
> wheel size you choose. You're asking for trouble because you'll be out of
> traction balance -- one end of the VW will get more grip than the other and
> you'll be understeering like mad in some situations. Tires are meant to be
> installed in fours, summer or winter, if you want the best performance in
> emergency situations. And we buy tires with those situations in mind, or at
> least we should.
> 
> As for  keeping a set of winters permanently mounted on wheels, I think
> that's the smart move. The more often you mount and de-mount a tire, the
> more you'll be asking for bead damage.
> 
> Going back to the Vredestein thread, I run Comtrac all-weather tires (on
> 16-inch steel wheels from Van Cafe) on my '90 Westy and like them just
> fine. I don't run the VW on the worst of winter days so I can't comment on
> how they perform in heavy snow or on icy surfaces, but they're good in
> light snow. About a million times better than the all-season tires they
> replaced.
> 
> The 'all season' moniker is very nearly deserving of a fraud charge.
> All-season if you're in Florida, maybe. But if the temperature dips below
> about 7 C or 44 F, they're useless. And forget about traction in snow.
> 
> Rolf in Toronto
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Nov 24, 2016 at 2:47 PM, Toomey Douglas <drt@uoregon.edu> wrote:
> 
>> I want to run a pair of winter tires on my 87 Westy.  In Oregon studs or
>> chains are often required to go over passes in winter; we carry cable
>> chains.
>> 
>> I recently upgraded to 16” wheels with Michelin Defenders, which were good
>> for a summertime cross-country trip, but probably not for snow and ice.
>> Many years ago I bought a pair of 15” wheels, which I still have (should
>> have gone with 16s originally, but got bum advice on fit).
>> 
>> Does it make sense to permanently mount winter tires on the 15” wheels?
>> Or should I just stick with 16’s and switch tires for the seasons?
>> 
>> Thanks!  And Happy Thanksgiving to all.
> 

_______________________
Prof. Douglas Toomey
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