2025 CTR (FL5) Winter Tire Recommendations

[WizardPete]

How's everyone doing? Just purchased my first Type-R and it just so happens to be transitioning into the winter months up here in the PNW. I don't want to ruin the summer tires that came with the vehicle and I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good set of winter shoes I can put on this beast. We get mostly rain here, but the snow and ice is known to visit. Appreciate any advice.

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[evlsmurf]

Are you looking for dedicated snow or would you be fine with all-seasons?

 

[WizardPete]

Are you looking for dedicated snow or would you be fine with all-seasons?

Well, we're never guaranteed to get snow so I'd feel dumb if I got dedicated tires and then it never snowed. I really just want a set that is going to have superior rain traction, and then also be dependable in like dustings or for when it DOES get to freezing.

 

[evlsmurf]

While I don't drive mine in anything other than perfect days, I am planning to put non-summer tires on. I live in Upstate NY, so I need to have tires on that are safe for the winter months. Based on my research and what others recommended, I was leaning towards Continental Extremecontact DWS 06 Plus.

 

[Starman703]

^^ Yep, i've had the old Continental Extremecontact DWS (non-plus) as a winter setup for my BMW M2 and it was perfect for non-snow, but cold [occasional rain] climates.

I just ordered a set of 18" wheels with 265/35 DWS 06 Plus from TireRack (taking advantage of their $110 rebate).

Also i'd get 18" wheels, more sidewall, a lot more tire options, and cheaper too.

 

[WizardPete]

While I don't drive mine in anything other than perfect days, I am planning to put non-summer tires on. I live in Upstate NY, so I need to have tires on that are safe for the winter months. Based on my research and what others recommended, I was leaning towards Continental Extremecontact DWS 06 Plus.

I wish I had that luxury, but atm it's my only vehicle so I get the pleasure of driving it to work every day. Luckily I only work 5 miles away so it's not a large amount. Any miles this baby gets on it is on my off time if I'm bored.

 

[svvitch]

New "Winter" setup FL5 : r/Civic_Type_R



Finally made a decision on my "winter" setup for the FL5. I'm in Southern Indiana, we get a little snow maybe 10-20" a year, sometimes ice, lots of cold, but also random week or two of sunny and 60 degrees. The morning I had these installed was 24 degrees, so just in time!

I was looking for an all-weather tire with the three-peak mountain snowflake that prioritized wet vs snow. I also decided to keep stock wheels vs buying a set of dedicated wheels. Once I started looking at alternative sizes in 19" there seemed to be an OK selection. Next spring I'll likely buy a new set of 18s for autox/hpde.

Went with Pirelli Cinturato Weatheractive in 255/35/19. They are directional similar to Michelin CC2, which are not offered in FL5 19" fitment. I also looked at Vredestein Quatrac Pro but only offered in 245/40/19. Seems a little narrow on a 9.5" rim. Got a good price on them from Discount Tire. Noise didn't seem to change much on the highway vs. Pilot Sport.

Handling is obviously a letdown compared to factory, but that's expected.

That is all. Thanks for reading thought I'd post if someone else is in a similar situation!

 

[WizardPete]

New "Winter" setup FL5 : r/Civic_Type_R



Finally made a decision on my "winter" setup for the FL5. I'm in Southern Indiana, we get a little snow maybe 10-20" a year, sometimes ice, lots of cold, but also random week or two of sunny and 60 degrees. The morning I had these installed was 24 degrees, so just in time!

I was looking for an all-weather tire with the three-peak mountain snowflake that prioritized wet vs snow. I also decided to keep stock wheels vs buying a set of dedicated wheels. Once I started looking at alternative sizes in 19" there seemed to be an OK selection. Next spring I'll likely buy a new set of 18s for autox/hpde.

Went with Pirelli Cinturato Weatheractive in 255/35/19. They are directional similar to Michelin CC2, which are not offered in FL5 19" fitment. I also looked at Vredestein Quatrac Pro but only offered in 245/40/19. Seems a little narrow on a 9.5" rim. Got a good price on them from Discount Tire. Noise didn't seem to change much on the highway vs. Pilot Sport.

Handling is obviously a letdown compared to factory, but that's expected.

That is all. Thanks for reading thought I'd post if someone else is in a similar situation!

That's what I'm noticing, is that for the stock wheel size it's like trying to find a needle in a hay farm. I didn't really want to sacrifice tire size, but it sounds like going down in wheel size might not be a bad idea. Especially for the wet months. I feel silly going to the car wash in the rain, but I finally understand everyone who does (And you've all been right this whole time!).
But here in Washington we don't get a "ton" of snow. Maybe....MAYBE 2-5" a year, and that's all in January-February. December might get dustings, but nothing else. I don't need anything studded, just something to have more confidence in the traction when there's a ton of puddling on the highways. And also something to salvage the summer tires before they get worn to the point I need new ones of them too. Going down wheel sizes I could save the tires, and the wheels.

 

[svvitch]

That's what I'm noticing, is that for the stock wheel size it's like trying to find a needle in a hay farm. I didn't really want to sacrifice tire size, but it sounds like going down in wheel size might not be a bad idea. Especially for the wet months. I feel silly going to the car wash in the rain, but I finally understand everyone who does (And you've all been right this whole time!).
But here in Washington we don't get a "ton" of snow. Maybe....MAYBE 2-5" a year, and that's all in January-February. December might get dustings, but nothing else. I don't need anything studded, just something to have more confidence in the traction when there's a ton of puddling on the highways. And also something to salvage the summer tires before they get worn to the point I need new ones of them too. Going down wheel sizes I could save the tires, and the wheels.

I am kind of in the same boat. Not much snow, but a lot of rain/cold/some ice and also some 60 or 70 degree days. These all-weather are good year round, I just don't run them that way.

Instead, I went to 18" for my summer setup and kept my OEM 19s for winter. Silly maybe, but it works for me.

 

[Starman703]

I am kind of in the same boat. Not much snow, but a lot of rain/cold/some ice and also some 60 or 70 degree days. These all-weather are good year round, I just don't run them that way.

Instead, I went to 18" for my summer setup and kept my OEM 19s for winter. Silly maybe, but it works for me.

^That's what I should have done to be honest . Winter months here last maybe 3 months at most, no snow, but temperature's do not favor summer tires. I prefer the look of meaty tires over low profile too. Plus, the brake rotors fill in 18" wheels much nicer.

But since i only have 1,200 miles on the OEM PS4S, I didn't want to spend money in replacing perfectly good summer tires (and selling used tires is a pain unless you practically give them away). So i just put all seasons on 18"

 

[J_D]

Just installed a set of 255/35/19 VikingContact 7’s on my OEM wheels. They feel great for a winter tire. Not like a balloon if tires of old

 

[Dream3r]

Just a reminder since a lot of people didn't know, the wheels are reverse mounted if you plan on stayin with stock wheels

 

[WizardPete]

^That's what I should have done to be honest . Winter months here last maybe 3 months at most, no snow, but temperature's do not favor summer tires. I prefer the look of meaty tires over low profile too. Plus, the brake rotors fill in 18" wheels much nicer.

But since i only have 1,200 miles on the OEM PS4S, I didn't want to spend money in replacing perfectly good summer tires (and selling used tires is a pain unless you practically give them away). So i just put all seasons on 18"

That's the upside of doing a full wheel/tire replacement is you can just keep the summer tires stored away, and then swap them over when the seasons change back. I know Les Schwab has that as an add on option and will do your swap for free come the summer. I'll probably just get all seasons as well. Seems like the most logical option atp.

 

[BigBird]

Go with the Pirelli AS Plus 3 in 265/35-18. Great tire and width runs true to OEM. The DWS06+ are older and need to go to a 275 width to match

 

[us17094]

^^ Yep, i've had the old Continental Extremecontact DWS (non-plus) as a winter setup for my BMW M2 and it was perfect for non-snow, but cold [occasional rain] climates.

I just ordered a set of 18" wheels with 265/35 DWS 06 Plus from TireRack (taking advantage of their $110 rebate).

Also i'd get 18" wheels, more sidewall, a lot more tire options, and cheaper too.

This is exactly what I am doing - following suggestions posted in other threads. Tires were mounted to my 18s this week and will have them installed towards the end of this month. I live in East Tennessee (very infrequent snow but cold temps) so the Contis should do the trick.

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