just had our first snow fall just before the weekend here in northern VA. i assume i can get a smaller wheel/tire package for the winter since the rx-8 AT comes w/16" wheels... is this a silly question? i don't care if it looks dumb, i just don't want my car to get all banged up this winter. the tires that came w/the car are terrible for the snow. it's not even good w/just sand on the ground!

 

The AT has smaller brakes, therefore can support 16" wheels. I have a 6 speed and it barely fits 17" wheels for winter. Check the wheels section of the forum for a lot more info, many of us have already switched over to winter tires.

 

Canzoomer used 17". Fit with -some- room to spare re the brake caliper. Be sure to match the tire load rating. It's printed on the tire, and most tire shops worth dealing with will know what that is. The load rating depends on inflation pressure, and the inflation pressure is determined by the tread laying flat on the ground with the car's weight on it. If you change the size, you will have to figure that out. Again, most tire shops worth dealing with will know how to do it.

 

There are a bunch of threads on the forum discussing winter wheels and tires, including this sticky thread at the top of this forum!

No, you can't go to 16" if your RX-8 came with 18s - your car has larger brakes than the cars which came with 16s and they do not fit over the brake caliper. 17s are possible, but not all 17" wheels fit. As mentioned, there are quite a few threads discussing specifics of winter wheels that do fit - search for "winter wheels" or "winter tires" in the Tires and Wheels section and in the Canada regional section of the forum for LOTS of great information on this.

Regards,
Gordon

 

The standard AT comes with 16 inch wheels- if you have the GT package then you have the larger 18 inch wheels.

Cool color by the way - I haven't seen a green one yet - even at the dealers. I would have loved to get that color.