snow tires

[wallymn]

Thanks wallymn - you seem to have hit it on the head.

After speaking with Tirerack yesterday they have pulled all 8" wheels off their website (for the Genesis) and are recommending only 7.5" wheels. They've assured me this will fix the problem.

Unfortunately the selection is pretty slim....I'm thinking of going with these:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whee...an+4.6&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=&qty_front=4

They initially recommended against silver machined wheels but that seems to be the only choice now. Are there disadvantages to silver machined wheels?

The reason they would not recommend silver machined wheels is salt, These rims will be abused in road salt so why put on rims which will scratch easy.

 

[mk1]

The reason they would not recommend silver machined wheels is salt, These rims will be abused in road salt so why put on rims which will scratch easy.

That is what Tirerack said as well - good advice, thanks.

Unfortunately Tirerack is completely out of stock for the year on Silver (non-machined) 17"/7.5" wheels, so I'm shipping back both sets of wheels and all 4 tires and will gut out the winter on the stock Dunlops. I'll just take the wife's car when it snows.

FWIW, Tirerack was very apologetic about recommending the 8" wheels and has taken very good care of me throughout this ordeal - it will end up costing me nothing but time at the end of the day. I'll go back to Tirerack again around July of next year when their inventory is back to normal.

One other note - I've got 17K miles on the Dunlops and they're almost ready to be replaced. Seems kind of a short life cycle to me, a little disappointing.

 

[wallymn]

That is what Tirerack said as well - good advice, thanks.

Unfortunately Tirerack is completely out of stock for the year on Silver (non-machined) 17"/7.5" wheels, so I'm shipping back both sets of wheels and all 4 tires and will gut out the winter on the stock Dunlops. I'll just take the wife's car when it snows.

FWIW, Tirerack was very apologetic about recommending the 8" wheels and has taken very good care of me throughout this ordeal - it will end up costing me nothing but time at the end of the day. I'll go back to Tirerack again around July of next year when their inventory is back to normal.

One other note - I've got 17K miles on the Dunlops and they're almost ready to be replaced. Seems kind of a short life cycle to me, a little disappointing.

When I pulled the dunlops off for winter they had about 16k miles on them, tread depth was 5 , 6, 6, 5 with 5s on opposite corners.... I replace tires at 4 so I agree these tires don't have a long life. Not that I expect it from high performace tires....

 

[ilovemygenesis]

Note; I am no expert just a driver living in a cold state..

1. No, but switching the summer and winter rubber will cost each year, so after 4/5 years the new rims are paid for...(also you can swap yourself)
2. I like blizzak, many other good brands. LM 60 replaced LM 25 this is the performance winter tire. WS60 is the FULL winter tire. Basically the LM trades a little winter traction for better handling, and is rated to 130 mph, while the WS is a full on winter tire rated to 106 mph. the tire you choose should be based on what you want from your winter tire.
3. Not sure you can find 17 in steel rims, but just a cost issue, either is fine.
Note: watch the rim weight, unsprung weight of the rim/tire will impact the suspension. Lighter is better for the rim.
4. No, the diameter has no impact, smaller is cheaper, the width of the tire, 235 standard size, can be downsized to put more weight per inch on the ground (225 is common), this will improve grip in bad weather.
5. Car was designed for matched size front/rear, so stick with that.
6. This is really more about hub location and rim width. +35 on a 7.5 in rim in a 17 in dia. would be my recommendation (it is what works on my 09)

I hope this helps...

Thanks for the feedback Wally, I'm getting tires this weekend, another question, when changing tires, do i need to get a new TPMS sensor in the new tires or can they use the ones in my old tire?

 

[wallymn]

Every time you swap tires the valve stem should be replaced, PART of the tpms is in the valve stem, your dealer should replace that part only (usually called a TPMS rebuild kit). It shouldn't be more than 10$ a wheel.

 

[ilovemygenesis]

Every time you swap tires the valve stem should be replaced, PART of the tpms is in the valve stem, your dealer should replace that part only (usually called a TPMS rebuild kit). It shouldn't be more than 10$ a wheel.

Great news, one last question, i just got a TPMS error message on one of my wheels, i called a couple of dealerships and they said the cold air is causing this (I live in CT and we've had some low temps recently) and all i need to do is put air in the tire. Has anyone experienced this? Is this the correct solution? The system states that only 1 tires is low if the issue is the cold wouldn't all 4 tires be low?

 

[HeavyG]

Anyone have a good recommendation for an all-season tire? I prefer an all-season tire over a pure snow tire as I live in Maryland and it doen't snow too often so I can't really justify getting a separate set of snow tires (and possibly the accompanying set of rims).

 

[wallymn]

Great news, one last question, i just got a TPMS error message on one of my wheels, i called a couple of dealerships and they said the cold air is causing this (I live in CT and we've had some low temps recently) and all i need to do is put air in the tire. Has anyone experienced this? Is this the correct solution? The system states that only 1 tires is low if the issue is the cold wouldn't all 4 tires be low?

tires don't loose air equally, We had -15 temps 2 tires lost about 5 pounds (triggering the tpms) and 2 only lost 1-2 pound...

 

[Disaster]

Guys,


I live in CT and i will need snow tires for sure. I've been reading this and other threads on different tires to get, i have some quesitons:

1. Is it necessary to get a separate set of rims along with the tires?
2. It sounds like the Blizzak's are the prevailing favorites among snow tires yet there are different versions (W60,LM25, etc) which ones are better?
3. If i need to get new rims, should i get alloy or steel?
4. I have the 3.8 with 18" premium package, I've read 17" is better for traction, is this true?
5. Should i get a higher width in the back?
6. I'm not too familiar with the offsets and such will this be a factor if i go from the 18" to the 17"?

All opinions will be greatly appreciated

1. Definitely the way to go, less wear on rims and tires. Pays for itself in just a few years ($130 rims vs. $30 to mount and balance each year.) Plus, you are more likely to change them at the right time if they are already mounted on the rims.
2. I like Blizzaks, but there are several good tires out there. Bought General Altimax Artics and they have been great (rated as high as Blizzaks on Tirerack.) Michelin's get some of the best reviews...but are more expensive.
3. It all depends on how you feel about seeing steel rims on your car. The winters stay on for 3 months and I don't want to look at steel wheels for that long. You can pick up decent alloys for $130.
4. Narrower tires cut through snow and slush better. I'm running 17", 215x60's. Plus, they are cheaper.
5. Always go with the same tire front and back. You need to rotate them.
6. The V8 has bigger brakes so you need to be sure to clear them...otherwise the Tirerack should have the offset correct for your car.

 

[scottdk]

1. Definitely the way to go, less wear on rims and tires. Pays for itself in just a few years ($130 rims vs. $30 to mount and balance each year.) Plus, you are more likely to change them at the right time if they are already mounted on the rims.
2. I like Blizzaks, but there are several good tires out there. Bought General Altimax Artics and they have been great (rated as high as Blizzaks on Tirerack.) Michelin's get some of the best reviews...but are more expensive.
3. It all depends on how you feel about seeing steel rims on your car. The winters stay on for 3 months and I don't want to look at steel wheels for that long. You can pick up decent alloys for $130.
4. Narrower tires cut through snow and slush better. I'm running 17", 215x60's. Plus, they are cheaper.
5. Always go with the same tire front and back. You need to rotate them.
6. The V8 has bigger brakes so you need to be sure to clear them...otherwise the Tirerack should have the offset correct for your car.

Seems like a hassle, so I decided after carefull consideration to put a down payment on this.......

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDNLUzjkpg"]YouTube- KEN BLOCK'S TRAX STI CAR[/ame]

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Disaster]

Seems like a hassle, so I decided after carefull consideration to put a down payment on this.......

YouTube- KEN BLOCK'S TRAX STI CAR

Very cool. My brother has an Evo. I'll have to send him this video.

 

[ilovemygenesis]

1. Definitely the way to go, less wear on rims and tires. Pays for itself in just a few years ($130 rims vs. $30 to mount and balance each year.) Plus, you are more likely to change them at the right time if they are already mounted on the rims.
2. I like Blizzaks, but there are several good tires out there. Bought General Altimax Artics and they have been great (rated as high as Blizzaks on Tirerack.) Michelin's get some of the best reviews...but are more expensive.
3. It all depends on how you feel about seeing steel rims on your car. The winters stay on for 3 months and I don't want to look at steel wheels for that long. You can pick up decent alloys for $130.
4. Narrower tires cut through snow and slush better. I'm running 17", 215x60's. Plus, they are cheaper.
5. Always go with the same tire front and back. You need to rotate them.
6. The V8 has bigger brakes so you need to be sure to clear them...otherwise the Tirerack should have the offset correct for your car.

Thanks for the reply, i bought blizzak LM60 a couple of weeks ago and i started hearing a strange noise which sounds like a rubbing sound from the wheels. I took the car back to Mavis discount tires and had them recheck the balancing and tires and they said nothing appears wrong, he said it might be the case that the tires are softer then the dunlops that i had and it is causing the sound i hear. I didn't buy this but i'll ask you guys, what you think? Anyone with Blizzaks hear a sound from the tires, especially when driving at higher speeds (i hear it more over 60 MPH)?

 

[mongo]

Great news, one last question, i just got a TPMS error message on one of my wheels, i called a couple of dealerships and they said the cold air is causing this (I live in CT and we've had some low temps recently) and all i need to do is put air in the tire. Has anyone experienced this? Is this the correct solution? The system states that only 1 tires is low if the issue is the cold wouldn't all 4 tires be low?

I'm in CT a well. Got the first TPMS message at 3am when starting the car to drive to JFK. A few miles down the road a second TPMS lit up. Stopped and added a pound to one tire and two pounds to the other. No worries since.

Still driving on the original Dunlops. But the car is a mess when there's a bit of snow on the road. I've got a couple of days off so I'm just starting to look at the winter alternatives.

 

[wallymn]

Thanks for the reply, i bought blizzak LM60 a couple of weeks ago and i started hearing a strange noise which sounds like a rubbing sound from the wheels. I took the car back to Mavis discount tires and had them recheck the balancing and tires and they said nothing appears wrong, he said it might be the case that the tires are softer then the dunlops that i had and it is causing the sound i hear. I didn't buy this but i'll ask you guys, what you think? Anyone with Blizzaks hear a sound from the tires, especially when driving at higher speeds (i hear it more over 60 MPH)?

I have Blizzaks and no rubbing sounds... The tires are not much louder than the stock Duns....

I ran at a steady 90 MPH for 1100 miles over past 1.5 days, thru lots of dry, slush and snow. (driving home from NJ to MN).

What is the air temp?

I heard these tires don't do well above 45.... It is minus 11 and while in NJ it didn't get over 30.....

 

[oppiee]

Does anyone here own Micheline X-ice Xi2 snow tires for their Genesis? If not, have you used them in the snow on any other cars? I have seen some reviews that say they are slightly better than the Blizzak WS-60s. I am in the process of deciding which to get for my Genesis 4.6. Thanks!

I own X-ice Xi2 tires. I run them on my 08 Altima. They work well but I havent been able to compare them with other tires like blizzaks.

I am looking for a set on my Genesis 3.6. It will either be X-ices or Continental Extreme winter contacts. What do you guys think?

 

[Disaster]

Thanks for the reply, i bought blizzak LM60 a couple of weeks ago and i started hearing a strange noise which sounds like a rubbing sound from the wheels. I took the car back to Mavis discount tires and had them recheck the balancing and tires and they said nothing appears wrong, he said it might be the case that the tires are softer then the dunlops that i had and it is causing the sound i hear. I didn't buy this but i'll ask you guys, what you think? Anyone with Blizzaks hear a sound from the tires, especially when driving at higher speeds (i hear it more over 60 MPH)?

Are the Blizzaks mounted on the original rims? Are they the same size? If so, they shouldn't rub. However, if they upsized the tires or you put the Blizzaks on a rim with the wrong offset you could have rubbing.

Blizzaks might be noiser than the stock tires (most snows are.) However, I never noticed any extra noise in my Acura except when driving through slush and snow. Then I could hear the Blizzaks whirring loudly as they pitched the snow out from under their path. It is the sound of the tread actually working...unlike the OEM tires.

I own X-ice Xi2 tires. I run them on my 08 Altima. They work well but I havent been able to compare them with other tires like blizzaks.

I am looking for a set on my Genesis 3.6. It will either be X-ices or Continental Extreme winter contacts. What do you guys think?

I'd go with the X-ices. They get the best all around reviews in recent tests at Consumer Reports and feedback from Tirerack customers. TireRack is a great source for comparison reviews of tires.

 

[oppiee]

I think I will be getting the Xice. 225/55R/17 or 215/60R/17???

 

[ilovemygenesis]

I have Blizzaks and no rubbing sounds... The tires are not much louder than the stock Duns....

I ran at a steady 90 MPH for 1100 miles over past 1.5 days, thru lots of dry, slush and snow. (driving home from NJ to MN).

What is the air temp?

I heard these tires don't do well above 45.... It is minus 11 and while in NJ it didn't get over 30.....

The temps have not climbed about 30 here in CT for the past couple of weeks when i got them put on.

 

[ilovemygenesis]

Are the Blizzaks mounted on the original rims? Are they the same size? If so, they shouldn't rub. However, if they upsized the tires or you put the Blizzaks on a rim with the wrong offset you could have rubbing.

Blizzaks might be noiser than the stock tires (most snows are.) However, I never noticed any extra noise in my Acura except when driving through slush and snow. Then I could hear the Blizzaks whirring loudly as they pitched the snow out from under their path. It is the sound of the tread actually working...unlike the OEM tires.



Disaster,

They are mounted over the stock rims, they are the same size as the OEM, 23550R18, i will recheck to make sure that's the size. The car pulls slightly to the right side which is where i hear the noise, i will take it to another tire shop to see what's going on.

 

[JollyRoger]

Did you obtain an answer regarding the question? I just bought a 2009 Genesis 4.6L and I am looking for 18" steel rims for winter.