Best time to get snowies?

[z1ggy]

What about better grip from a stand still? Last winter I kept the all seasons on. I got stuck in my driveway like 6 times because I parked on some snow/slush/ice and my driveway is on an incline. I kind of assume stopping distance is closely related to overall grip, assuming same speeds, conditions and brakes on the car.

 

[sdifox]

What about better grip from a stand still? Last winter I kept the all seasons on. I got stuck in my driveway like 6 times because I parked on some snow/slush/ice and my driveway is on an incline. I kind of assume stopping distance is closely related to overall grip, assuming same speeds, conditions and brakes on the car.

Winter tires would be much better. I have come to my car and found it surrounded by snow, as in the snow is taller than the wheel hub. Cars were sliding all over the place trying to get out of the parking lot. I just cleared the snow on top of my car and drove off. Mind you, applying power to all wheels helps too :biggrin:

 

[sdifox]

Ps you can go with 15" for winters.

 

[z1ggy]

Ps you can go with 15" for winters.

Weird. Tire rack suggests 16'' as minimum.

 

[sdifox]

Weird. Tire rack suggests 16'' as minimum.

what year mazda 3?

 

[RearAdmiral]

Just bought some general articmax from tirerack. 317 after 2 rebates for 215/55 r16.

 

[z1ggy]

what year mazda 3?

2011, s sport trim, 5 door

Just bought some general articmax from tirerack. 317 after 2 rebates for 215/55 r16.

Well I believe my car calls for 205/55 r16. That's a solid price though.

 

[sdifox]

This tells me you can run 15"

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/city-of-toronto/winter-summer-steel-rims-15x6-x-5-hole-5x114-3-1-year-old/1104417817?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[nakedfrog]

What about better grip from a stand still? Last winter I kept the all seasons on. I got stuck in my driveway like 6 times because I parked on some snow/slush/ice and my driveway is on an incline. I kind of assume stopping distance is closely related to overall grip, assuming same speeds, conditions and brakes on the car.

It can definitely make a difference. At lower temperatures, non-winter tires can become hard/stiff and not provide as much traction. Winter tire compounds are designed for a different temperature range.
I gained insight on this when I couldn't move a vehicle that had ultra high performance summer tires at all when it was 10º outside and there was a thin layer of snow (wasn't even trying to drive it, just move it).

 

[desy]

I get mine studded cause we tend more towards ice than deep snow around here.
Also, I go mid Oct before the first snow as its usually cool enough you don't have to worry about wear and once the first big snow hits the shops are slammed so you will want to make sure you have your order in and waiting.
I also like the General Altimax although performance would be different if you don't stud them they are average, but studded above average comparable to Nokians.

I found a great deal on used rims/summer tires/sensors from a guy who totalled his car on-line, keep looking

 

[Kaido]

Are Blizzaks still the way to go?

Checked out Discount Tire...over $900 for WD80's, steel rims, full TPMS kit, lugnuts, and silver hubcaps to hide the uggo. Dang.

 

[RearAdmiral]

Are Blizzaks still the way to go?

Checked out Discount Tire...over $900 for WD80's, steel rims, full TPMS kit, lugnuts, and silver hubcaps to hide the uggo. Dang.

I used both blizzaks and generals. I felt that the generals gave me better grip in my anecdotal experience with my WRX.

 

[sdifox]

Are Blizzaks still the way to go?

Checked out Discount Tire...over $900 for WD80's, steel rims, full TPMS kit, lugnuts, and silver hubcaps to hide the uggo. Dang.

i've had blizaak and xice, i prefer blizzak.

why do you need hubcap for winter rims.

 

[pauldun170]

Are Blizzaks still the way to go?

Checked out Discount Tire...over $900 for WD80's, steel rims, full TPMS kit, lugnuts, and silver hubcaps to hide the uggo. Dang.

Winter tires across brands make tradeoffs for certain scenarios where some perform well in some areas and some in others.
Ice\Snow\Wet weather\Dry

For example, I have the WS70's. From a dry\wet perspective they are probably on crappier side of the stick. In snow they are competitive other tires of that generation. Probably mid pack.
Where they were pretty decent at is ice performance. For me that made a lot of difference because my hill area typically gets lot of ice patches under all the snow.
Unfortunately, WS70's have atrocious wear and are probably on the crappier end by around 15K on em (I don't put a lot of miles on car so its not so much an issue for me. By the time they wear out they will probably be dry rotted junk anyway)
I would check out if WS80 continue that trend. If so, then you might want to consider some of the competitors out there.

 

[Kaido]

i've had blizaak and xice, i prefer blizzak.

why do you need hubcap for winter rims.

Personal preference. The steel black rims are pretty ugly. Winter lasted nearly 6 months last year.

 

[sdifox]

Personal preference. The steel black rims are pretty ugly. Winter lasted nearly 6 months last year.

in the slush no one cares about the rims.

 

[z1ggy]

in the slush no one cares about the rims.

That's my opinion, too. Plus, I have a 2011 mazda3... It's not exactly anything to marvel over to begin with.

So guys, I think I'm going to place an order tonight or tomorrow for tires & wheels. The big decision is if I should grab a wheel, tire & TPMS set, or just tires and have them mounted locally.

Option A)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/55 r16
Wheel: Steel rim 16''
TPMS: Yes
$816 + Shipping

Option B)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/50 r17
Wheel: Stock mazda3
TPMS: Stock Sensors
$408 + Shipping + $40 for mount and balance at Walmart

Now I realize I'd be paying ~$80 a year to mount and remount tires on option B, but I'd also have to pay that $40 probably every 2-3 years once I got new tires, too. I know the 16'' will probably handle better in the snow, but having that $500 in my pocket right now would be very nice.

What do you guys say?

 

[sdifox]

That's my opinion, too. Plus, I have a 2011 mazda3... It's not exactly anything to marvel over to begin with.

So guys, I think I'm going to place an order tonight or tomorrow for tires & wheels. The big decision is if I should grab a wheel, tire & TPMS set, or just tires and have them mounted locally.

Option A)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/55 r16
Wheel: Steel rim 16''
TPMS: Yes
$816 + Shipping

Option B)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/50 r17
Wheel: Stock mazda3
TPMS: Stock Sensors
$408 + Shipping + $40 for mount and balance at Walmart

Now I realize I'd be paying ~$80 a year to mount and remount tires on option B, but I'd also have to pay that $40 probably every 2-3 years once I got new tires, too. I know the 16'' will probably handle better in the snow, but having that $500 in my pocket right now would be very nice.

What do you guys say?

always have two sets of rims. that way you just swap at home and not have to go line up at a shop to remount tires. that remounting is not good for your tires and you run the risk of killing the sensors.

 

[cabri]

Two sets of rims; however the snow rims can be generics (unless you have an ego).
Get the rims off of Craig's list or a junkyard to save $$$

 

[Sabrewings]

Another vote for extra rims. Makes the process much easier.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That's my opinion, too. Plus, I have a 2011 mazda3... It's not exactly anything to marvel over to begin with.

So guys, I think I'm going to place an order tonight or tomorrow for tires & wheels. The big decision is if I should grab a wheel, tire & TPMS set, or just tires and have them mounted locally.

Option A)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/55 r16
Wheel: Steel rim 16''
TPMS: Yes
$816 + Shipping

Option B)
Tire: General Altimax Arctic 205/50 r17
Wheel: Stock mazda3
TPMS: Stock Sensors
$408 + Shipping + $40 for mount and balance at Walmart

Now I realize I'd be paying ~$80 a year to mount and remount tires on option B, but I'd also have to pay that $40 probably every 2-3 years once I got new tires, too. I know the 16'' will probably handle better in the snow, but having that $500 in my pocket right now would be very nice.

What do you guys say?

How do you figure $500?

$816 - $448 = $368

Personally, I'd go with the steel wheels. Give you a chance to clean up the summer wheels while they're off the car too.

 

[Bacstar]

I ended up getting a set of nice rims for my snow tires. I have Hankook studded iPikes on my Jeep. It'll be my 4th season with these tires. I decided to get the nicer rims because winter is pretty long in Alaska.

A couple cars ago I had the Blizzaks and kept them on all year long. I only drive a little over 4000 - 5000 miles a year. Still had pretty good tread on them when I sold the car after a couple years. This year, I'll be waiting for the snow before switching them over. Last year's winter was pretty dry, so my studs took a beating.

I'm looking at maybe getting more off-road oriented tires next year and dumping the snow-tires altogether. Was wondering how off-road tires handled in snow/ice?

 

[z1ggy]

How do you figure $500?

$816 - $448 = $368

Personally, I'd go with the steel wheels. Give you a chance to clean up the summer wheels while they're off the car too.

It was a conservative rough estimate before I actually did the numbers.

But yeah I'm probably just going to grab the separate rims. I'm planning on this being my beater car anyway down the road for when I can't/don't drive my summer car.

I have to check craigslist to see if any people are selling decent rims but I worry they'd be cracked or somehow in less than desirable mechanical condition.

 

[sdifox]

It was a conservative rough estimate before I actually did the numbers.

But yeah I'm probably just going to grab the separate rims. I'm planning on this being my beater car anyway down the road for when I can't/don't drive my summer car.

I have to check craigslist to see if any people are selling decent rims but I worry they'd be cracked or somehow in less than desirable mechanical condition.

Steel rims are less problematic than alloys on that front.

 

[z1ggy]

Steel rims are less problematic than alloys on that front.

Good to know.

Well somebody would need to be selling them for <$20 to make it worth it. $40 at Walmart to mount and balance 4 tires, and tirerack is selling the 16'' steelies for $60 each.

Honestly probably would buy a set from somebody used for more than $15/each.