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54K views 185 replies 41 participants last post by  monkeyman  
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#1 · (Edited)
read full thread, my initial wheel choice does not meet the required load ratings for the CX-90 PHEV

Hi guys,

I have a Canadian CX-90 GS-L PHEV, meaning 265/55R19 oem 3-seasons.

After much research / discussion, I'm going with a -1 setup for winter, using the oem GS MHEV's 255/60R18 size, as opposed to a 265/60R18 which would be a perfect diameter match with the oem GS-L's 265/55R19. Mazda uses staggered sizes, the original 18, 19 and 21 inch tires all have different diameters!

So the idea here with the smaller fitment is to provide a proper combo of wheel offset / tire placement in the fenders. We'll see how PMC Tire's advice pans out as they guarantee their fitment. Going with the oem 19" size would have increased my budget by about $800 CDN.

Wheel is the DTD Blizzard - same brand as my Crosstrek's replica wheels which have held well after one winter. Wheel is rated as a "direct oem fit", hubcentric and all. Cheap at $169 CDN each.

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Tires are Toyo Observe GSi-06, same supplier as my oem 3-seasons, and tires that were fantastic last winter on a Ridgeline that I reviewed under a week where winter threw everything it had at us.

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Kit shipped ready to bolt, will have to wait a bit for the programming due to how new the CX-90 is, but will test-fit front and rear as soon as it arrives.
 
K
#92 ·
Here are the winter tires and wheels I'm trying out. 265/50R20 108T BRIDGESTONE DMV2 and 20x9 Satin alloys by DAI. Wheels are rated @ 815kg per so a bit underrated vs OEM recommendation but overall meets the numbers for load requiements overall. I think on rear axel load I'm below by 40/50lbs but overall the load rating is exceeded. Speed rating on tire is below OEM tire but good to 190kph. Nice and quiet winter tire!
 

Attachments

#93 ·
KDCX9&90,

Thanks for your selections and pictures. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 (light Truck/SUV Studless Ice and Snow tire) is a great choice for winters with ice and snow.

Tirerack test results-
Tire owner ratings-

Tire size selection
255/55-19 fits rims 7-9" wide, perfect for 8" wide rim, 111 XL load rated, 33 lbs. tire diam. 30"
265/50-19 fits rims 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8.5" wide rim, 110 XL load rated, 36 lbs. tire diam. 29.5"
275/55-19 fits rims 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8.5" wide rim, 111 XL load rated, 40 lbs. tire diam. 30.9"

255/50-20 fits rims 7-9" wide, perfect for 8" wide rim, 109 XL load rated, 37 lbs. tire diam. 30.1"
265/50-20 fits rims 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8.5" wide rim, 107 SL load rated, 37 lbs. tire diam. 30.5"
275/45-20 fits rims 8.5-10.5" wide, perfect for 9" wide rim, 110 XL load rated, 38 lbs. tire diam. 29.8"
275/50-20 fits rims 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8.5" wide rim, 113 XL load rated, 40 lbs.tire diam. 30.9"

21" sizes not available
 
#97 ·
For example 2023 Mazda CX-5 AWD OEM tire is listed as Toyo A36 Crossover/SUV All Season tire 225/55-19 300 treadwear 99V load rated, tire diam. 28.8", fits rims 6-8" wide, perfect for 7" wide rims
Just doing a search for wheels that fit there are no options for 19x7" at Tirerack. The narrowest wheel available aftermarket is 19x7.5" and load ratings for wheels are built for the vehicles they are meant to fit. So for an SUV as heavy (4700-5200 lbs) as an CX-90 the OEM CX-5 wheels are too light weight and don't have the load rating to work. If you remove the wheel you will see the load rating stamped into the metal inner spokes in kg.

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
For 255/60-19 you need a rim that is 7-9" wide, perfect for 7.5" wide, 108 SL load rating, tire diam. 31.1" (a little tall vs OEM). In theory the 19x7" wheel will work with this tire size.
Alternate tire sizes for 19x7" rims would be-
235/65-19 Perfect fit for 7" wide rim, tire diam. 31.1"
245/55-19 Fits rims 7-9" wide, perfect for 8" wide rim, tire diam. 29.7"
255/55-19 Fits rims 7-9" wide, perfect for 8" wide rim, tire diam. 30"

Searching for winter wheels for the CX-90 the most narrow rim offered by Tirerack is 19x8" or 18x8". No 7" wheels are listed so I don't think that is going to work.
 
Z
#98 ·
I understand 7 might not be ideal but was hoping that since they are oem maybe the load rating is higher. Maybe I’ll give Mazda Canada a call and find out. I am not sure just based on the width is the reason but could be. you think Oem 18s or 20s from the cx-9 have the sufficient load rating? I haven’t bought them yet so can’t check the back
 
G
#99 ·
Hey everyone, so i'm in the final stages of signing for a cx90 GT phev with the 21 inch wheel package.
I currently own a 2021 cx9 on 20s and I ran the winter tires on 18 inch black steel wheels.... I was hoping to keep my tire and wheel package for the cx90 but the sales guy says that there's rules for EV's and PHEV's and you apparently can't run them on steel wheels.
Has anyone else heard this or know if this is legit.... it seems like BS to me because I haven't found any documentation online supporting this fact.
Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
 
#131 ·
That doesn't really sound correct, steel vs Allow wheels should not make a difference if they meet the wheel specs for the CX-90. However if Steel wheels come in certain smaller diameter sizes then it is possible they might not fit over the brake calipers.

When dealing with a wheel shop tell them you have a 2024 CX-90 and they can check if a wheel they sell will fit or at least they can do a test fitting.
 
#103 ·
Sorry my Tirerack search for that Continental tire did not show any in that size, is it new? Check production date if it is old stock. 4 digit code on side of each tire.

In 265/55-19 the winter tire selection is indeed sparse.

I could only find Pirelli Scorpion Winter , Dedicated Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter Snow tire
$347 each, $80 instant rebate right now.
Tirerack owner survey results-
 
Z
#104 ·
PhEVuser said:
Sorry my Tirerack search for that Continental tire did not show any in that size, is it new? Check production date if it is old stock. 4 digit code on side of each tire.

In 265/55-19 the winter tire selection is indeed sparse.

I could only find Pirelli Scorpion Winter , Dedicated Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter Snow tire
$347 each, $80 instant rebate right now.
Tirerack owner survey results-
Click to expand...
Mazda is being silly. The 255/60 r19 is an equivalent if not better match if downsizing from 275/45r21, and there are more brands at that size.
 
#106 ·
hnt4943 said:
I just put on a set of Vredestein Wintrac Pros in Tire Rack's recommended -1 wheel sizing, 265/60R-18.
Have only done a really short test drive, but they felt pretty good on dry roads. Hoping they're good tires, it's a new brand for me.
Click to expand...
Great choice. Should work well.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro (Performance Winter/Snow tire)
265/60-18 $198 each, fits wheels 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8" wide rim, 114 XL load rated, 31 lbs., Tire diam. 30.5"
Tirerack test result-
Tirerack owner survey results-
 
#108 ·
OK, but does that mean you rejected the 2018 tires? And that is why you are still using OEM tires? 2018 is quite old and have been sitting for a long time. Rubber gets hard over time and dry rot with cracking can occur. Old tires could be used but they won't be as good as when new. Rubber is soft when new and ages with UV light and time so that the rubber gets harder which means the noise can be more, wear is usually slower but traction and ride compliance is reduced.
 
#110 ·
Guys, give me some advice so that you choose from OEM: I always used OEM tires even in winter, and I was happy, before that there were Michelin and Continental and Yakohama and Kumho, but Mazda came to the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S. it’s just some kind of trash, the car slides, floats in the snow and in general the behavior is completely different. I understand that this could be due to the rear-wheel drive architecture, but it is unlikely. Please advise what you would take from m+s (based on experience) to replace the Falken Azenis FK460 A/S. I know, I know, winter ones are better, but not my option. thank you in advance.
 
#111 ·
Sounds like you need more grip for winter weather use for your area. Normally Falken Azenic FK460 A/S would be OK for light snow and mild winters. You don't have enough grip from your description.

For those that have the PHEV- (OEM tire sizes for winter use)
Note the winter tires have no treadwear rating and are better suited for snow use.

265/55-19
Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season (Street Sport Truck All Season tire) 500 treadwear
$413 each, 109 SL load rated, 30 lbs each, tire diam. 30.5"
Tire rack owner survey results-

Pirelli Scorpion Winter (light truck.SUV Performance Winter Snow tire) Severe Snow service rated tire
$347 each, 109 Sl load rated, 36 lbs each, tire diam. 30.5"
Tire rack owner survey results-

275/45-21
(Crossover/SUV Touring All Season tire)
Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive (Crossover/SUV Touring All Season tire) 700 treadwear
$381 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack test result-
Tire rack owner survery results-

Yokohama Geolandar X-CV 520 treadwear
$337 each, 110 XL load rated,

Continental CrossContact LX Sport 480 treadwear
$342 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack test result-
Tire rack owner survey results-

Falken Ziex CT60A A/S 300 treadwear
$272 each, 110 XL load rated,

Grand Touring All Season tire
Vredestein Quatrac Pro 400 treadwear
$369 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack test results-
Tire rack owner survey results-

Ultra High Performance All Season tire
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 540 treadwear
$459 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack test result-
Tire rack owner survey results-

Falken Azenis FK640 A/S 500 treadwear
$310 each, 110 XL load rated,

Light Truck SUV studless Ice and Snow tire
Michelin X-Ice snow SUV
$490 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack owner survery results-

Street/Sport Truck All Season tire
Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season 500 treadwear
$387 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack owner survey results-

Performance Winter Snow tire
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
$316 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack test results-
Tire rack owner survey results-

Light Truck/SUV Performance Winter Snow tire
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
$425 each, 110 XL load rated,
Tire rack owner survey results-
 
B
#112 ·
I special ordered my CX-90 3.3 Turbo S Premium Plus 09/24/2023 and picked it up at dealer 12/08/2023. As part of the Destination Set, I got the roof crossbars and the dealer had mounted them on the roof. The underside of the front bar is just plain aluminum whereas the rear bar has black plastic inserts having a ridge along their center lines. My guess is that this is to lower the wind resistance or noise or both. Does anyone know if its correct that the front and rear bars should be different and that the bar with plastic inserts should be the rear bar? See photos. The handwriting on the underside is my own as I took them off from the roof and indicated with a marker which bar the dealer had mounted where.

Image


Image
 
W
#115 · (Edited)
After I picked up my new CX-90 Select, I was a little dissapointed with the tires - not much tread and nothing special about the tred pattern and I was really surprised these tires could be M+S tires, as they are marked.

I wasn't too happy after a light snow a few weeks ago: not a real confident feel and I really don't want to crash a brand new car this winter.

Looked at several alternatives, then went with Tire Rack's recommendation - MSW-31 18" rims and Blizzak 255/60R18 tires. Ordered the tires Friday morning and they were delivered Saturday afternoon ( South Bend to West Michigan ). Got them switched today and I'm really surprised that they are hardly more noisy than the OEM tires ( without wearing my hearing aids ;) ).

This is the first time I have dealt with Tire Rack and so far I'm a satisfied customer.

The CX-90 had no problem reading the new TPMS sensors.

BTW, the OEM tires after 9K miles have 8/32" tred left. The new Blizzak's have 15/32" tred.

I was going to store the OEM tires in my storage barn, but then decided to store them standing up in my attached garage for a little more security.
 
#120 ·
OK, glad you were able to find Continental VikingContact 7 in 265/55-19. It's a Studless Ice and Snow tire.
Tire rack doesn't list them in stock for that size but I do find it available from other retail sources.

Tirerack test result-
The VikingContact 7 gets a good review

Tirerack owner survery results for this tire class-
Also very good
 
#122 ·
If you want to learn more about using tires in the winter then check out-

You have more options if your winter weather is mild- All Season vs Winter Tires

If you have more snow or severe winter weather then Winter Tires are worth investing in.

If you also have the PHEV then keep watching.

2:20 Stopping distance in snow from 30 mph
5:25 Comparison AWD on Winter tire gives better 0-60 in snow
8:50 Max Incline FWD/RWD/AWD on various tires in snow
10:00 Using Winter tires for PHEV/EVs
 
#123 ·
Article from R&T about Winter tires-

For Example
Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV Severe Snow Service rated
265/50-19 $286 each, fits wheels 7.5-9.5" wide, perfect for 8.5" wide rim, 110 XL load rated, tire diam. 29.5" (a little shorter than OEM but can work).
275/45-21 $490 each, OEM size, 110 XL load rated, tire diam. 30.8"
Tirerack owner survey results for 275/45-21 winter tires
 
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