Just match the tyre size to what you've got on there already.
Possibly consider getting something a little narrower?

Already got spare 16 wheels so thats the smallest size I can use- would prefer not to get 15's unless its really worth it

"Narrower" refers to the "205" bit of the size you quoted, Not the "16" bit.

I know that, thanks! 205 is the smallest I can fit on the 16 rim as far as I know- i'd need to drop to 15's to fit 195s- unless i'm missing something!

As long as you don't go for lower speed rating and sidewall stiffness your insurance would be fine. Forget about bs marketing talk though.

I know that, thanks! 205 is the smallest I can fit on the 16 rim as far as I know- i'd need to drop to 15's to fit 195s- unless i'm missing something!

That would depend on the width of the 16" rim.

No reason you can't fit a 195 on a 16" rim if the width is right.

Its 6.5j

Dropping to 195/60/16 seems to really limit choice

195/55/16 is slightly better.

Contiwintercontact 850 not availble in either size

Will go an research narrower wheels- does it make a huge difference?

Will go an research narrower wheels- does it make a huge difference?

Be careful - narrower wheels might not clear the brake callipers, which would be rather upsetting if you bought five and the tyres to match.

Narrower tyres make some difference but they don't make all the difference. If you've got spare rims then just use what you've got. If you were having to buy a second set you could get something thinner but don't spend if you don't have to. Winter tyres are barely worth fitting for most british winters, you can count the number days they matter on one hand usually. I had some fitted last year - brilliant for all that snow we didn't have.

disagree maccruiskeen

wintertires are worth fitting for most british winters

how ever the number of times you will get stuck without them you could count on one hand.

I run them all year round in the north east of scotland.

I've got an accord tourer. For the 16 wheels stick with the recommended manufacturers size i.e. 205/55R16. May have issues with insurance otherwise. The speed rating from memory is a V but I got some H's as they were around £10 a corner cheaper than V's. According to some random internet searching the speed rating is less of an insurance issue. Also H is still up to 130 MPH, so well above the UK speed limit.

Got some "Avon Ice Touring ST 205/55 R16 91H" from My Tyres last year. They were good in the little bit of snow we did have. However the side-wall did seem a bit soft as the car shimmied more. Just re-fitted them yesterday and looking forward to snomageddon.

FWIW, even last year's disappointing winter was still well worth having winter tyres for- they're not just for snow and ice, they work better in heavy rain and they work better when cold too.

(also, I'd not have got my car stuck in that ditch yesterday if it had my Icebears on!)

Still trying to figure out if I can afford it/justify it this year- 17 inch rims means expense 🙁

disagree maccruiskeen
wintertires are worth fitting for most british winters
how ever the number of times you will get stuck without them you could count on one hand.
I run them all year round in the north east of scotland.

I have them on all year round too. 🙂 To my mind the benefit/difference is marginal enough for it to not be worth the time/expense/effort/thought to keep another set or swap them about. My point was (not very well made) that thinner tyres will only make a difference when you actually have snow under your wheels, for the rest of the winter it's the compound/tread that's of benefit, so you might as well keep to the standard width and profile for your car so that it drives like your car.

Because of those unenlightened insurance types, I'd stick to a tyre size fitted to the car from standard, or if you want to be doubly sure to the same size as fitted to your car (I guess this isn't really an issue for you as 16s probably are the smallest fitted to an accord). Go for the same load rating or higher and the same speed rating or whatever is normal for a winter tyre of that size (which will probably still be higher than the cars top speed). The rest is BS. In short, do exactly what you were going to do!

I skim read the first half of the replies and spotted quite a lot of wrong info so...

195mm wide tyre should be okay on a 6.5J rim. There is no reason why a narrower wheel wouldnt clear the bake caliper (in response to whoever said that). Smaller diameter could give problems.

I would do the following:

1. Either fit exactly the same size as you have now - ie 205/55/16

2. Check your handbook or with your dealer for the recommended winter tyre size for your car.

3. Check the tyre pressure plate (normally inside one of the door frames) to see what tyres the car should have, sometimes they have two sizes.

For load rating your car has a 91 rating - not sure if this is normal for that size tyre (load ratings typically go up with tyre size) but I would not go lower than that. It is common for estates and MPVs to have a higher rating of the same size tyre that is fitted to smaller cars.

Speed rating - it is generally accepted that you can drop ONE speed rating for winter tyres and it is fine for the insurance and the winter tyre recommendation for a car normally has a speed rating one lower than the summer tyre. This is due to winter speeds being generally lower and keeps tyre cost down.

Width - yes a narrower tyre can be better but stick to what is recommended. Normally manufacturers will suggest a slightly narrower tyre with a slightly smaller wheel diameter and a higher tyre profile to make up the overall diameter.

edit: there was no recommended winter tyre for my car so I stuck with the same size but have gone up the load rating.

Thanks all.

Ordered a set of Contiwintercontact 850's, 91H (as apposed to 91v summers fitted as standard) for £97 fitted per tyre.

Hoping to do a bit more skiing and working in the Skye area so hopefully a sound investment!

6.5j rims can have anything between 185 and 215 tyres fitted without any problems.

Be careful - narrower wheels might not clear the brake callipers, which would be rather upsetting if you bought five and the tyres to match.

Narrower wheels/tyres will make no difference at all to calliper clearance.

The rim clearance on the calipers will depend on the offset of the rim.

205/55/16 Falken HS-439 can be had for under £80 fitted via mytyres.com

Falkens are my go-to tyre when I need new ones. Great summer tyres with the FK-452 and I've got HS-439 on the front of my pride and joy at the moment.

195mm wide tyre should be okay on a 6.5J rim. There is no reason why a narrower wheel wouldnt clear the bake caliper (in response to whoever said that).

Narrower wheels/tyres will make no difference at all to calliper clearance.

WRONG!

The rim clearance on the calipers will depend on the offset of the rim.

Ding ding! WINNER! We have the correct answer.

The offset is the factor on if the wheels will clear the caliper, otherwise you may end up with the caliper hitting the rear of the spokes on the wheels.

If your wheels are really tight on space you may risk the caliper hitting the wheel weights if placed on the inside of the rim.

FWIW I would fit good branded winter tyres to your standard wheels, if you were only going to fit mid range tyres then I wouldn't bother and would put the money towards premium all season tyres.

offset? most FWD cars are actually heavily inset ie. negative offset.

Offset + wheel design + size + rim width are all the key factors to see if alternative wheels and tyre combos will clear the brakes, wheel arch liners, wheel arch brake hoses, suspension arms etc etc..

You can for exampel have tow wheels with the same width, dia, offset but one will foul the brakes due to the spoke design.

But for the OP unless you are into modifiying etc etc then best just stick to the size and spec of the std tyre the car has by default

always amazing that peopel try to budget tyres - they are the only item of the car touching the road...

FWIW I would fit good branded winter tyres to your standard wheels, if you were only going to fit mid range tyres then I wouldn't bother and would put the money towards premium all season tyres

sensible.