Winter tires and rims

[skygtr]

So they are not cheap, but I've run Nokian Hakkapellitta (R2, then R3) on 2 cars and I would say they're easily the best all around winter tire I have used. You can only get them from Kal Tire in Canada, but prices are comparable to Michelin X-Ice which I'd call #2. Not sure if this has changed in the last 5 years, but Blizzaks have been known to wear out REALLY fast, moreso if you install them a little to early or take them off a little too late with warmer roads. The wear on my Nokians felt more than reasonable all things considered. I would have changed them at year 4 on the Mustang had I kept them, they still had tread but I could tell they didn't bite like new. 4 years might not sound long, but keep in mind that car was a powerful RWD so there was a lot of tire spinning going on, and quite a bit in late fall and early spring on dry roads which probably wore them out lol.

Use Hakkapellitta R3s on mine in the winter, love them.

 

[StumpZ22]

Hi. I know they are ugly as all hell but my Stinger is a lease and I live in Upstate NY so I'm looking for steel rims for winter. Not having a lot of luck finding an online supplier that has our size. Anyone help? Thank you!

 

[Revvdmedia]

Hi. I know they are ugly as all hell but my Stinger is a lease and I live in Upstate NY so I'm looking for steel rims for winter. Not having a lot of luck finding an online supplier that has our size. Anyone help? Thank you!

There are a few that fit because I have seen it, but finding steel wheels the fit over the big 4 piston calipers is pretty rare from what I recall. I quit looking after this same fiasco with my 2009 Cobalt SS with 4 pot brakes. I didn't know steelies didn't fit until that time. You can usually find a set of relatively cheap alloys, usually about 100 per piece for some cheap ugly ones.

 

[WHITEGT]

There are a few that fit because I have seen it, but finding steel wheels the fit over the big 4 piston calipers is pretty rare from what I recall. I quit looking after this same fiasco with my 2009 Cobalt SS with 4 pot brakes. I didn't know steelies didn't fit until that time. You can usually find a set of relatively cheap alloys, usually about 100 per piece for some cheap ugly ones.

There is a Kia Dealer in the GTA that sells Steelies for the Stinger that will fit over the brakes

 

[StumpZ22]

I found some black alloys but they are 18X7.5 wide with a 40 offset. Not sure if they will fit.

 

[StumpZ22]

Actually they are 8" wide. 35 offset.

 

[nhcowboy28]

BFG T/A KO2 295/70R17.
Winter driving problem solved.

 

[jrx001]

225/45r Michelin IceX tires
18x8 Fast FC04 +30 squared

View attachment 33556

Will this setting damage the brembo brake and caliper?

 

[NS_Stinger]

Will this setting damage the brembo brake and caliper?

Nope, fits over it perfectly.

 

[JD3S]

Has anyone gone through a winter with the stock factory tires? If so, how were they?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Has anyone gone through a winter with the stock factory tires? If so, how were they?

If by "stock" you mean the Michelin Pilot Sport; I know of only one madman who did this his first winter: @Gordo who's a local guy managed to escape disaster probably by the skin of his teeth; he admitted to one "adventure" on his way to work, when he slid down a hill near his house. Pilot Sport tires are asking for it when the roads have ANY winter patina on them (let alone actual snow). A hard freeze turns that compound into glass.

 

[AristotsirA]

Has anyone gone through a winter with the stock factory tires? If so, how were they?

I have the stock 18" Bridgestone Potenza all weather tires and I think they are garbage.

On dry pavement they are easy to overwhelm even in summer temps; in last week's snow storms they were downright terrible.

Conditions were crappy, yes, with slush over ice, but my wife's vehicle with a set of Vredestein Quantrac Pros was outright amazing by comparison.

 

[RedCal]

Has anyone gone through a winter with the stock factory tires? If so, how were they?

The PS4's have very little grip in anything under 10C, in snow I'm guessing you are going to write off the car

 

[AristotsirA]

I have the stock 18" Bridgestone Potenza all weather tires and I think they are garbage.

On dry pavement they are easy to overwhelm even in summer temps; in last week's snow storms they were downright terrible.

Conditions were crappy, yes, with slush over ice, but my wife's vehicle with a set of Vredestein Quantrac Pros was outright amazing by comparison.

As an update, second snowfall after a week of warm weather in MN and the stock Bridgestones need to go. Any minor change in road direction was a call for the car to go sideways no matter the speed (5-40 mph). Yes, these conditions are the some of worst winter can offer, but these tires don't perform well in wet or even dry summer conditions either.

Ordered the Vredestein Wintrac Pros for the stock 18" wheels. Hoping to ditch the Bridgestones outright next spring and just get a new wheel/tire combo for the warmer months, but who knows where that money could be better spent...

 

[hayagix]

The PS4's have very little grip in anything under 10C, in snow I'm guessing you are going to write off the car

You got that right. The PS4's are summer only. I was driving around on cold but dry roads and the lack of traction was quite noticeable.
I had to wait for partially suitable tires(Pilot Sport A/S 3+) to arrive and then wait for an opening to get them on.
Hopefully, there will be more choices when I need tires again.