# Should I fit 205/60/R16 instead of 205/55/R16 winter tires on my Mazda 3 2010 GS **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda3, mazda, tires\ **Created:** [August 30, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076 "2021-08-30T20:47:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spyro_le_dragon_mauve_174694)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/1 "2021-08-30T20:47:36Z")
Title says all. I saw some Bridgestone WS90 almost 30$ less per tire if I choose the 205/60 model, while my car should avec 205/55. I’ve read a bit about it and it seems OK, but some people seems to say that I need to check other things too. I’m a bit lost and a noob with all that. Would it fit live a glove or I should avoid that idea? Thanks a lot ! ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 8:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/2 "2021-08-30T20:58:52Z")
I would go with the size that is recommended for your vehicle. the bridgestone ws90 is a good snow tire. I got the ws80’s for my daughters car when she was going to law school in Vermont. she loved them. she said when other people were getting stuck she just drove through it. she had a hyundai elantra. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/3 "2021-08-30T21:02:46Z")
Are you sure of the tire size ? Look at the door plaque to see what is reccomended . I think it might be 205/50/17 . Where are you that you need winter tires as most of the time a FWD vehicle can get by with good all season tires . ---
**Author:** ![spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spyro_le_dragon_mauve_174694)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/5 "2021-08-30T21:08:51Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Are you sure of the tire size ? Look at the door plaque to see what is reccomended . I think it might be 205/50/17 . Where are you that you need winter tires as most of the time a FWD vehicle can get by with good all season tires . I live in Canada so our winters are pretty rough. And yes the door plaque says 205/55/16 recommended. That’s why I wanted to know if it’s safe fitting 205/60/16 on it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/6 "2021-08-30T21:21:00Z")
Will you have a 2nd set of wheels for winter tires? ---
**Author:** ![spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spyro_le_dragon_mauve_174694)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/7 "2021-08-30T21:24:03Z")
It’s gonna be my only one ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/8 "2021-08-30T21:30:44Z")
That’s an increase in diameter of 20.5 mm (0.8 inches). If you are buying these from a tire dealer, ask them if your oversized tires will work without scraping the wheel well. If you are buying on line, contact the seller and find out if it will work. For on line sellers, I’d only use a big outfit like Tire Rack. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/9 "2021-08-30T22:17:49Z")
Radius is .4” bigger. I think that is not a big enough difference to cause rubbing. How much do 195/60/16 cost? ---
**Author:** ![spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@spyro\_le\_dragon\_mauve\_174694](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spyro_le_dragon_mauve_174694)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/10 "2021-08-30T22:30:01Z")
Similar to the 205/60-16 one ! ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/11 "2021-08-30T23:52:46Z")
I’d personally be most comfortable sticking with the original size to avoid any issues. If you do want to change the size, many people would go a bit narrower for the winter tire, assuming the load index is sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![bloody\_knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@bloody\_knuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bloody_knuckles)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/12 "2021-08-31T00:14:15Z")
When it comes to cars, never skimp on two things. Tires and brakes. They are the two most important safety items and saving a few bucks is never worth it. Tires keep you on the road and keep your car’s handling predictable. Brakes make sure you stop smoothly and quickly. Changing tire sizes can have all sorts of unintended consequences from wheel rubs to unpredictable handling and inaccurate speed and odometer readings. It’s just not worth the money saved. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/13 "2021-08-31T00:25:06Z")
Was at tire store a few years ago around May. Owner said any blizzak was $30 each. Was there with kids truck and they had 31-10.5/15 for $30. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/14 "2021-08-31T00:28:50Z")
explain… was he going out of business? really old tires? thats way to cheap for blizzacks. they are not cheap tires. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/15 "2021-08-31T03:42:37Z")
There is a price difference, Tire Rack shows $20 more per tire for the P205/55R16 compared to the P205/60R16. I switched from P185/60R15 to P185/65R15 on my Dodge, I wanted the additional height/road clearance. Some people are afraid to step out of line. I have the wrong size tires on all of my vehicles, I don’t have E70B14 tires on my Plymouth. ---
**Author:** ![CapriRacer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/capriracer/32/22_2.png) [@CapriRacer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/CapriRacer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2021, 9:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/16 "2021-09-01T09:17:21Z")
The problem here is that there isn’t a list of what tire sizes fit under the fenders WITHOUT RUBBING (very bad!!). Your best bet is to seek out a website devoted to your vehicle and see if someone has done this and can vouch for the fitment. I’m sure no one here can say one way or the other unless they have tried it. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/17 "2021-09-06T00:35:46Z")
Quick check if your steering knuckles have upper ball joints, most cars of your era do. Run you hand over the top of the tire. If there is room for your hand under the upper ball joint, then you can go with the taller tires. ---
**Author:** ![monkarl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@monkarl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/monkarl)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/18 "2021-09-06T02:18:54Z")
You will be fine. My brother just bought 205/60/16 [toyo tires](https://4wheelonline.com/Toyo-Off_Road_Mud_Tires.25) for his Mazda3. No rubbing but the speedo is a little off according to him. ---
**Author:** ![JimLowther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@JimLowther](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JimLowther)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2022, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/19 "2022-05-15T00:55:14Z")
I know this is old, but this is for anyone else with a similar question. 205/60/r16 should work fine, as long as they fit the wheel well (and I am pretty certain they will). In fact, a winter tire will perform better with a bit more flotation (lower aspect ratio) in the tire. With the same wheel, you can usually go one size larger in both the aspect ratio and tire (not wheel, so 205 to 215) diameter with no ill effects and perhaps some improvement (going up one size in to 215 and keeping the same aspect ratio increases treat width). Because we often drive unimproved back roads, I increased my pickup from 235/70/r15 to 165/75/r15 and my wife’s SUV from 265/70/r16 to 265/75/r16. Unless you drive like a maniac you won’t notice the difference in dry traction, and you will gain a smoother ride and better rough, wet, ice, and snow traction. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/20 "2022-05-15T13:14:49Z")
> [@JimLowther](#): > > 235/70/r15 to 165/75/r15 Must be 265 tires, not 165? Maybe that’s his wide, float theory? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076/21 "2022-05-15T13:24:24Z")
> [@JimLowther](#): > > In fact, a winter tire will perform better with a bit more flotation OK . I have no idea what that means . [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-i-fit-205-60-r16-instead-of-205-55-r16-winter-tires-on-my-mazda-3-2010-gs/179076.md?page=2)