Ok...I heard a few theories about the width of a tire and snow I just want to know what everyone else has for an opinion on this topic.

Theory #1: Winter tires should be thinner to "cut" through the snow.
Theory #2: Winter tired should be wider to get better traction in the snow.

I think that the wider option would be better because a 185 tire isn't going to have near as much traction as a 225.

Here in ND I've had trouble with thinner tires before (175), then traded to a 185, and had a world of difference ('96 Dodge Neon). Now the subaru has like 205's from the factory and I'm kind of having trouble with traction in the snow. I'm thinking a 225 or 235 would work way better.

 

bump! im interested in this answer as well

 

I personally had a 225 winter tire on a 17x8 rim when I lived in the Midwest and it made noticeable (good) difference over my stock all season set up from the factory. IMHO there has to be a happy medium between the two theories, but I found wider worked better for me. I would think thin tires might cut through snow better...and than get stuck as they do not have enough tread width to properly apply/distribute the car's weight and power (struggle for traction). I think tire width or traction concepts don't change from dry to wet to snow; the need for a tire specifically made for that condition changes instead. Also, with roughly a ~3,200 car, I am guessing you will cut through snow without much problem anyway...That's my $.02

 

I've always gone with theory #1. Take a look at rally cars. On tarmac they run wide tires, and on snow stages they run thin tires. I think they probably know a little more than me about optimal traction...

 

I think they probably know a little more than most people here about optimal driving ...Would not everyday driving differ from ***** out power sliding rally driving?