# Tire size **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 18, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461 "2007-12-18T19:04:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GGdriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@GGdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GGdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/1 "2007-12-18T19:04:09Z")
I have a 2001 Audi A6 Quattro with the 17" sport tire package. The car came with 225/45 tires and the sticker in the car says to use 225/45 tires. However, the tire store references (Tire Rack, etc) all say to use 235/45 tires. I just had the wider size snow tires installed. Should I return them? Can I put my 225/45 summer tires back on? The tire store says they are too small for the weight of the car and could blow out. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/2 "2007-12-18T19:14:19Z")
When it comes to snow tyres you want thinner not wider. The thinner ones will give better traction. Are you sure that Tire Rack knew you had the sport package? Try checking out Tire Rack again and see what they list and what options are recommended? ---
**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/3 "2007-12-18T19:22:11Z")
Also, compare the load rating on the tires (a number like 93H). It seems unlikely that the manufacturer’s would be inadequate. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/4 "2007-12-18T19:59:03Z")
What does the owners manual say. Mine has a list of acceptable tire sizes. If the tire size is on the list…then there’s no problem what so ever. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/5 "2007-12-18T20:18:24Z")
Your Owner’s Manual is your absolute authority, as Mike suggested. If it allows 235s, then you’re fine…however the 10mm added width may not bite as well. However, you DO have all wheel drive, so it may not matter. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2007, 12:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/6 "2007-12-19T12:11:16Z")
According to Tire Guides, a 2001 Audi A6 with 225/40ZR17’s. It also came with 16" tires in some versions. Please note: Some Z rated tires do not have Load Indices. There’s a long explanation for this, but we don’t need to go into it here and now. This means that a 235/45R17 has adequate load carrying capacity, but the 225/45R17 does not. So there is a risk on the 225/45R17’s. The risk is low but it is there and the consequences might be quite severe. So you need to decide if it is worth the risk. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 12:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-size/8461/7 "2007-12-19T12:54:27Z")
No worries. The likely case is the choices is very limited in winter tires with your OEM size.