[Kalter]

I have seen a few people here talking about putting 15 inches on the ST. I currently have a 2012 Fiesta SE. I have 15's on rims for the winter and they should be good for another 1 or 2 winter. If I remember correctly, the offset of those rims are 38.

The only that was bothering me though, is that right now, on my winter and summer wheels, the caliper is kinda close to the wheel, and I believe that the brakes of the ST were bigger than the base Fiesta. After looking a little bit on the web, it seems the base Fiesta brakes are 10.2 inches while the ST ones are 10.9.

So my question: how are the 15 fitting on the ST? I plan on buying the ST probably before the end of spring or during the summer, but I would like to make sure that my current tires could fit on the ST.

 

[RodMoe]

Here are a few pics of my 15 inch winter set up I choose the MSW Type 23 rims (Size 15x6.5 Offset 42mm backspacing 5.35 bolt pattern 4x108)
This is how close they are to the Brakes I have had NO issues at all (Tire Size is 195/55/r15)
Front

REAR'S

 

[LuvfiestaST]

I have 15 inch rims on mine that I took off the 2012 fiesta and no problems

 

[marc89gti]

I went with 16" ford oem aluminum wheels because my dealer said that ford recommended 16's to allow for proper cooling of the bigger brakes. Hopefully you don't have any warping issues with your rotors due to heat build up.


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[LuvfiestaST]

Uh oh don't like the sound of that..;(

 

[LuvfiestaST]

I went with 16" ford oem aluminum wheels because my dealer said that ford recommended 16's to allow for proper cooling of the bigger brakes. Hopefully you don't have any warping issues with your rotors due to heat build up.


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Just using them as winter rims.. Off in 1 1/2 mths from now

 

[marc89gti]

This could be why the supplemental ST manual recommends a 16" wheel for winters.

Never could find any where actually documented about this cooling issue


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[LuvfiestaST]

I'll have to look into it and get 16" for next winter... Another $1000 outta the pocket..

 

[marc89gti]

That's why I'm really surprised a lot of dealers were giving people 15" steelies. I got the Ford winter tire safety package and my understanding is that when my dealer inquired to Ford about the tires and wheels available from Ford they came back saying use the 16's


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[eRic]

the full size spare on the FiST is 15" x 6.0" steel wheel with a 47.5 mm offset with a 185/60-15 tire.

 

[RodMoe]

I could see cooling issues maybe with a 15 inch Steelie but a open aftermarket 15 should be fine for cooling . But that's just me.

 

[marc89gti]

the full size spare on the FiST is 15" x 6.0" steel wheel with a 47.5 mm offset with a 185/60-15 tire.

Yes but if you look closer at the spare tire it has a sticker that says max 50mph/80kmh which might have more so do with speed ratings and or braking from higher speeds and more heat generated in those conditions.


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[eRic]

the tire itself is h-rated for 129 mph. most likely the sticker is to warn you not to go over 50mph/80km/h with a 15x6 wheel and 185/60-15 tire on one corner and 17x7 wheels with 205/40-17 tires on the other three. talk to the folks at 800-ford-svt and see what they have to say about using four 15x6 wheels and 185/60-15 tires for winter.

 

[marc89gti]

Ok I agree with you on the sticker thing and handling. But I still think if Ford wanted you to use a 15" winter wheel they would have stated so in the supplemental ST manual. I have 16" aluminum winters, nothing for me to worry about, maybe someone with 15" steelies should phone the SVT hotline and see what they say. It might not be an issue I just don't understand why the sup manual says recommends 16" and not 15"


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[LuvfiestaST]

They are actually factory steelies that were on my fiesta 2012. I traded that car in for the ST but kept the rims.

 

[Sil3nt611]

I probably wouldn't worry too much about cooling in the winter...you know, because it's cold outside and all. Open 15's would probably be better than steelies, but I doubt you are going to be doing some track day type driving on winter roads so you'll likely be just fine.

 

[LuvfiestaST]

Just driving to and from work.. Will check today to make sure there are no problems

 

[wash]

I wouldn't worry about heat unless you are racing.

On the street, panic breaking is the only real test of the braking system and you never have to do it often enough to overheat the brakes.

The only heat related disk brake problem I've ever seen on the street was a 1967 Mustang GT with sticking pistons in the Kelsey Hayes calipers that made the pads drag.

 

[jariten]

I wouldn't worry about heat unless you are racing.

On the street, panic breaking is the only real test of the braking system and you never have to do it often enough to overheat the brakes.

The only heat related disk brake problem I've ever seen on the street was a 1967 Mustang GT with sticking pistons in the Kelsey Hayes calipers that made the pads drag.

I imagine the heat warning is for mountain passes (where you'd want to be on winters anyway). You can easily overheat brakes pushing it in the the mountains/foothills. Granted, you shouldn't see it when you're stuck behind an RV which is how it always seems to end up.

 

[BRGT350]

yeah, getting your brakes hot in the winter doesn't make any sense to me. The winter tires will overheat and give up way before the brakes get too hot. It is also doubtful you could generate enough traction under braking to really get them hot in the winter, plus the ambiant temp is very cold. Perhaps going down mountains would be the only spot of worry. Even in a panic stop, you are braking well below the full capacity of the brakes. The tires are limiting the braking forces depending on if you are on ice, dry pavement, or snow. A panic stop isn't done over and over again from high speed, like you would have on a race track. In all my years of driving on the street, I don't think I have ever overheated the brakes. On the track, yeah, that can happen.

I ran 15", 16", and 17" winter tire packages on the ST and never noticed any difference in braking performance. The taller sidewalls from a 15" wheel will help keep snow from entering the rim causing it to be off balance, plus add extra wheel protection. I would not suggest a 17" winter wheel package since there isn't enough sidewall to protect the wheel. A small diameter, skinny wheel/tire option is the best. Your idea of using a 15" Focus wheel is right on.