Snow tires + AWD?

[Crayola Grey]

Does anyone bother with winter tires on their AWD? Easiest would be buying the KIA 18-inch winter kit, but there has got to be a less expensive way, and I wouldn't mind the wheels to be black.

 

[Jimmer]

Does anyone bother with winter tires on their AWD? Easiest would be buying the KIA 18-inch winter kit, but there has got to be a less expensive way, and I wouldn't mind the wheels to be black.

if I lived in a colder area, absolutely. But my continental extreme contact dws06 great.

 

[Crayola Grey]

if I lived in a colder area, absolutely. But my continental extreme contact dws06 great.

Mine came with 19-inch summer tires, and I live in snowy Colorado, where we're having a snow storm right now. Dang it. I already need to spend a couple more grand on this thing? Aw shucks, that sucks, but I don't know if I should skimp out on that.

 

[Jimmer]

Mine came with 19-inch summer tires, and I live in snowy Colorado, where we're having a snow storm right now. Dang it. I already need to spend a couple more grand on this thing? Aw shucks, that sucks, but I don't know if I should skimp out on that.

mine came with the same tires yours did, and I went and bought the A/S tires a month later. I will switch them back out end of march. And where you are, I might suggest winter tires.

 

[SteveCo]

You can get stamped steel rims that fit the Stinger if cost saving is a priority - but you need to be sure they are specified for that car, as they need to clear the large brakes. Myself, I wouldn't be able to do that to the car, as I think it seriously detracts from the looks.

As for using winter tires with AWD, absolutely. The OEM high performance PS4 tires are not made for either cold temperatures or snow, and would be a poor choice bordering on dangerous.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I've talked about this quite a bit already. The main points are: how cold is the road? And does it get down to freezing often enough where you live to justify A/S or especially winter tires? In a place like Texas where a freak cold snap can take the air down to single digits, it isn't necessary to replace the summer tires with A/S simply because the cold snap doesn't last long enough to freeze the ground. Now, I wouldn't recommend trying to drive "spiritedly" when the air dips or plunges past freezing. But until the ground has become frozen you are not at risk if you drive steady and slower. I went over Soldier Summit last spring and I've also driven up and down Parley's canyon, both places in 32F conditions on the 19" Michelins. But the snow wasn't sticking because we had had a couple of weeks of 40+F during the day, i.e. the ground was warm, and no one or two days of colder temperatures was going to freeze the roads. Lastly, don't push it on worn summers when the air is cold. That is just asking for cracked tires and an accident ending in tears. Everything I said was on brand new Michelins. If they are close to needing replacement, then replace them; don't push your luck.

 

[Revvdmedia]

To those who ask if it's worth getting winter tires specifically when combining it with AWD, I'd like everyone to remember that accelerating is only 1 aspect of dynamics, you also need to remember cornering and braking. AWD helps tremendously with accelerating, and a bit with cornering due to vectoring, but nothing for braking. Winter tires in adverse weather help all 3 aspects regardless of drive wheels. Good winter tires turned my 5.0 Mustang GT into a daily driver in all weather including snow with no issues. So dont think of it as AWD makes the car dynamics spectacular in winter, tires are the majority of the performance gain. And ask me how I know how much good winter tires suck on hot roads....

 

[GRStinger]

Does anyone bother with winter tires on their AWD? Easiest would be buying the KIA 18-inch winter kit, but there has got to be a less expensive way, and I wouldn't mind the wheels to be black.

My 2 cents. I live in MI with legit winters. AWD was a must for me plus I bought the 18" A/S's because of a better DD ride. I determined early on to do winter wheels and tires. One of the reasons is that I know from previous experience - and from their ratings - that those Potenza's suck in winter driving. Plus, it is too easy to slide into a curb in slippery conditions and hack up those nice OEM wheels. Got recommended TireRack set - Michelin X-Ice xi3 with black Sport Edition steel wheels (pic below). All-in mounted, balanced, with TPMS about $1300. Wheels are fine for schlepping around in the winter, and look pretty good. Although we've had less snow than normal so far (supposed to get 2-4" 2 night), so far I couldn't be happier with my set up. This might be the best passenger-car in the snow that I've had (although the really spirited driving is off the table 'til spring - the sidewalls feel significantly softer and not confidence-inspiring). Plus the 19" Pilot hi-perf summer tires are a no-go because of many weeks of "shoulder seasons" when I wouldn't have the winters on. Like mid/late fall and early/mid spring where you can get many consecutive days of warm dry weather, then days/nights of below freezing. Would not want to abuse or trust the rubber on those summer sport tires.

 

[SteveCo]

Got recommended TireRack set - Michelin X-Ice xi3 with black Sport Edition steel wheels (pic below). All-in mounted, balanced, with TPMS about $1300. Wheels are fine for schlepping around in the winter, and look pretty good.

Those are actually quite nice looking steel wheels - nice to see something other than the normal bland stamped steel 'winter rim' offerings, and it sounds like they were a great price.

I have the X-Ice3 tires as well, as a winter only set, and they've been fantastic on frozen pavement, loose and packed snow, and even glare ice. With the AWD and traction control, grip under acceleration is great, and it brings the car to a controlled stop on ice better than anything I've ever driven. For this weather it's just what the doctor ordered ...

 

[Cazwizzle]

I live in upstate central NY near Lake Ontario with regular lake effect snow generating an average of 12 feet of snow per year. Blizzaks mounted on OEM 18’ wheels do the trick with AWD! Plus I get to pick out some sweet aftermarket wheels for good weather.

 

[Sabz]

I have the 19s as well and I’m in Minnesota .. I ended up going with a second set of 18s all same size front and back with some AS tires in case my super sports don’t last long I can put the AS on in the summer.. spent about 1600 total.. got some cheap black rims and solid continental tires from discount tire

 

[Crayola Grey]

What size offset for 18's? Just get 4 18x8? Is there anywhere I can just order a package of 4, with winter tires and TPMS installed, shipped to my door in Colorado? Or would y'all recommend I just walk into a Discount Tire and ask some stranger to help me? Any links?

Thanks in advance for all your helps!

 

[Sabz]

What size offset for 18's? Just get 4 18x8? Is there anywhere I can just order a package of 4, with winter tires and TPMS installed, shipped to my door in Colorado? Or would y'all recommend I just walk into a Discount Tire and ask some stranger to help me? Any links?

Thanks in advance for all your helps!

Go into discount tire .. that’s what I did.. they were very helpful.. I dealt with someone who actually knew about cars as I’m sure some of the employees might not know much I lucked out ... they will find you something ...

 

[Kazz]

If your temps get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for any decent stretch of time, you need winter tires. I got stuck with 18" all seasons when I purchased my AWD. As soon as I wear them out I'll be purchasing a set of each winter and summer wheels and tires.

The AWD on OEM all seasons is a solid driver in the winter. Very sure-footed. You have to remember to slow down and start braking lightly and early - it's a very heavy car - but that's true with any car of any weight. Very happy with the AWD.

 

[GTA Jay]

I run winter tires. Slapped them on the stock 19’s and will get a square 19’ setup from my spring to fall wheels. The car handles great in the snow. It can also be a drifting monster when you want it to be. With sport on and the nannies off and delicate feathering of the gas pedal, the back end steps out easily and can be swung back and forth with ease.

 

[GreySpector]

Definitely get a winter tire setup; I picked up the Michelin X-Ice + 18x8 wheels and short of getting buried in three feet of snow, I have the utmost confidence I'm not getting stuck in anything.

 

[LawnMan]

I have a 2019 AWD GT2 with a dedicated Snow wheel/tire set (Blizzak tire and aftermarket wheels). It cost me just under $1,600 and the shop will remove and install them every season for free. I live in in central Illinois. We get snow, ice, wind, and sub zero temps. The roads do get cleaned by the plows but they need time to get to all the streets. I drive on the express way, county roads and city roads. I work alot of hours and start very early in the morning. To me the snow tire package for a car I am going to keep for about 7 years, it is worth it. At the end of the day, tires will not make you invincible. You still have to drive responsibly. You still have to be aware of other drivers.

 

[Josh16162]

Depending on where you live, you could probably make it through the winter with a good set of all season or even better all weather tires. If you have the stock summer tires, don't even think about - go buy a set of winter wheels/tires. The upfront cost is a lot, but remember that you're now using two sets of tires, nearly doubling the amount of time before you need to buy a new set.

My Kia dealer gave free winter tires when I bought my Stinger, which were Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4. The handling characteristics of these are great on dry/cold roads, and they do well in moderate depths of snow, but as soon as it gets deep there's definitely better tires out there.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I went with Nokian Hakka R3 on my Stinger. Absolute garbage on warm dry roads (we got hit with a few +25 celcius days on early October), but beast mode in actual winter. The handling characteristics with these tires on my Stinger vs my wife's inexpensive Goodyear Nordics on here Santa Fe is night and day.

 

[GTA Jay]

I went with Nokian Hakka R3 on my Stinger. Absolute garbage on warm dry roads (we got hit with a few +25 celcius days on early October), but beast mode in actual winter. The handling characteristics with these tires on my Stinger vs my wife's inexpensive Goodyear Nordics on here Santa Fe is night and day.

Hahah. I have the same tires on my Stinger, and my wife drives a Sante Fe Sport.