Winterizing Genesis

[Driver]

For those owners that use your Genesis in the winter, especially if you have the R-Spec, how do you guys prepare your car to use during the snow season? Do you have another rims & tire combination for winter? I'm considering getting R-Spec ($375 away from price I want and will have to drive 480 miles back home) and need to figure out the winter driving on R-Spec before I commit. It looks like it comes with summer tires (ContiPro?) which probably isn't even an option in MN winters. Can you swap the tires on the same rims over and over with out damaging the tires? Also having to haul your tires and/or rims twice a year seems like it could be a lot of hassle.

AWD option would have made this much easier decision.

Thanks for your input.

 

[scottdk]

For those owners that use your Genesis in the winter, especially if you have the R-Spec, how do you guys prepare your car to use during the snow season? Do you have another rims & tire combination for winter? I'm considering getting R-Spec ($375 away from price I want and will have to drive 480 miles back home) and need to figure out the winter driving on R-Spec before I commit. It looks like it comes with summer tires (ContiPro?) which probably isn't even an option in MN winters. Can you swap the tires on the same rims over and over with out damaging the tires? Also having to haul your tires and/or rims twice a year seems like it could be a lot of hassle.

AWD option would have made this much easier decision.

Thanks for your input.

The ContiPro's are an all season tire, so they can be driven in winter, but a winter compound would greatly improve traction. Remember, AWD doesn't help your braking or cornering ability; good winter compound tires do.

 

[Driver]

Thanks for your reply. Which tires do you recommend? I did a search on tirerack and only found these that fit R-Spec.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[scottdk]

Thanks for your reply. Which tires do you recommend? I did a search on tirerack and only found these that fit R-Spec.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Looks like Tireracks site is down for a few hours, but maybe look into a 2nd set of wheels such as an 18 inch wheel with a winter compound tire.

 

[dg_moore]

I use Bridgestone Blizzaks on a spare set of rims to eliminate the expense and hassle of changing tires twice a year. These are great tires - I live in MD so we don't have constant snow all winter, but when we do it can be pretty dicey.

http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/album.php?albumid=381

The wheels are Bremmer Kraft. The whole setup including TPMS, mounting and road force balancing cost about $1200.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Also bought a second set of wheels and Blizzak tires for PA winters... known to have a few nasty storms as well.
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=7980

Getting a set of 17's or 18's could reduce the tread width... leaving you with better winter traction.

 

[Driver]

Thank you guys. Based on your feedbacks I would need to also buy 18" rims (possibly stock rims from 4.6) and Blizzak tires. This is getting expensive but worse how do you haul these to the dealer to get these swapped not to mention trying to store these in my already crowded garages? Do 4 18" rims with tires fit in the Genesis trunk?

 

[Driver]

The ContiPro's are an all season tire, so they can be driven in winter, but a winter compound would greatly improve traction. Remember, AWD doesn't help your braking or cornering ability; good winter compound tires do.

scottdk,
I think I found a video that explains what you said. I was shocked to see tires alone make this much difference. I would have like to see how much difference AWD would make in this test. Thanks again for your input.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s"]Tire Rack Tire Test - Winter/Snow vs. All-Season vs. Summer Tires on Ice - YouTube[/ame]

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Think Scottdk has a set of 4.6 18's for sale...

http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=7999

 

[Driver]

Hey Scott,

This may be premature but I may be interested in your 18" wheels. What is your best price w/ Genesis wing caps but I wouldn't need the tires since it would be used for winter componds. I'm local so we wouldn't have to worry about shipping fees. I may need your help to get them home since I don't have any way to transport 4 of these rims.

Let me know.

BBQ Bandit, thanks for the link.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Cut-Throat]

scottdk,
I think I found a video that explains what you said. I was shocked to see tires alone make this much difference. I would have like to see how much difference AWD would make in this test.

I have lived in Minnesota, mostly Minneapolis all my life, and drove rear wheel cars for half of it. With that said, the most important thing that you can do in winter is stay off the roads when it gets nasty. You may have the best AWD, and best tires on the market, but when you are stuck in traffic and some yahoo comes sliding into your new Genesis, you will wish you stayed home. 99% of all trips are unnecessary. The roads will always be better if you can wait 12 hours. Think of the time you will save visiting the Body shop, Insurance agent and maybe the hospital.

Most of the vehicles that I see in the ditch are 4 wheel drive vehicles. These people simply won't slow down when the roads are bad, In other words, they are bad drivers and they WILL hit you. Winterizing is 99% Driver - 1% Car. I have an AWD Lexus and it does not protect you from the cars with bad drivers, bad tires and rear wheel drive.

 

[dg_moore]

Thank you guys. Based on your feedbacks I would need to also buy 18" rims (possibly stock rims from 4.6) and Blizzak tires. This is getting expensive but worse how do you haul these to the dealer to get these swapped not to mention trying to store these in my already crowded garages? Do 4 18" rims with tires fit in the Genesis trunk?

Get a set of tire covers from Tire Rack or whereever - you can fit 2 in the trunk, 2 in the back seat. I store mine on an overhead rack (see first post in this thread: http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=7509&highlight=genny+live). My rack is a Racor ([ame="http://www.amazon.com/Racor-PHL-1R-HeavyLift--4-Foot-Cable-Lifted/dp/B0009I8AO6/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1319403776&sr=8-15"]Amazon.com: Racor PHL-1R Pro HeavyLift 4-by-4-Foot Cable-Lifted Storage Rack: Home Improvement[/ame])

 

[wamba2000]

Cut-throat, I agree. After 13 years of Minnesota winters, moved to Arizona.
That being said, AZ drivers freak out at the sight of a rain cloud! In northern AZ (Flagstaff and I-40) the higher temp of the ground turns the roads to ice quickly. The main approach is stay off the roads; if you must travel, have chains (if required/allowed) or SLOW DOWN and keep a big distance if you can.
Good luck to all in the upcoming winter