Best time to get snowies?

[z1ggy]

Planning on getting snow tires and potentially wheels for my Mazda 3 this winter. Would purchasing them now get me the best deal, or would it not matter if I waited til September or October?

 

[cbrunny]

Canadian Tire will often have a buy three get one free sale on at the start and end of each season. I have bought mine in Sept-Oct using this. We have to buy 4 for our Murano this year, so I'll be curious about what people are suggesting too.

 

[Viper GTS]

There are usually buy four get 75 or whatever deals around the season changes. I'd wait until those deals start showing up.

Viper GTS

 

[z1ggy]

There are usually buy four get 75 or whatever deals around the season changes. I'd wait until those deals start showing up.

Viper GTS

On tire rack? Or...?

 

[Viper GTS]

On tire rack? Or...?

They're manufacturer rebates, so everywhere that sells that manufacturer.

Examples:

http://www.discounttire.com/rebates/

Viper GTS

 

[pauldun170]

Planning on getting snow tires and potentially wheels for my Mazda 3 this winter. Would purchasing them now get me the best deal, or would it not matter if I waited til September or October?

Best time to buy? Just before start of season when they previous models go on sale.
Best time to mount? When temps average 40-45 degrees or less.

Remember that if you mount them to early in the season (when it is still warm) you are throwing money away.

 

[exar333]

Depends on where you are and what the season looks like. In MN, I try to time it a week or two before the snow starts, or alternatively before the first real stretch of sub-freezing temps. If you wait until snow, it can get pretty crazy at dealerships/tire places.

Usually I ended-up buying or swapping-on my winters in late October or early November.

 

[z1ggy]

Ok thanks guys! I guess no need for me to try and buy them now.

Now to decide if I want to go steel rims + tires for a separate set, or just swap out tires.

 

[cabri]

Ok thanks guys! I guess no need for me to try and buy them now.

Now to decide if I want to go steel rims + tires for a separate set, or just swap out tires.

Having them mounted on an additional set of rims will provide you the flexibility to put them on the vehicles only when needed (in advance).

Snow tires are a rougher/nosier ride and they will usually wear faster.
By being able to remove them on your own, extends their life and you also save on tire shop charges (if not provided) to mount and balance every time you swap out.

You can usually get rims cheap at a garage sale/ CL or a junk yard.


/edit (typos/punctuation)

 

[z1ggy]

Having them mounted on an additional ste of rims will provide you the flexibility to put them on the vehicles only when needed (in advance).

Snow tires are a rougher/nosier ride and the will usually wear faster.
by being able to remove them on your own extends their life and you also save on tire shop charges (if not provided) to mount and balance everytime you swap out.

You can usually get rims cheap at a garage sale/ CL or a junk yard.

Well, if I'm going that route I'd probably just get new ones from tire rack, because they will come mounted and balanced for "free", plus they install the TPMS sensor, too.

 

[exar333]

Well, if I'm going that route I'd probably just get new ones from tire rack, because they will come mounted and balanced for "free", plus they install the TPMS sensor, too.

I have some issues with the major tire places (Tires Plus, Discount Tire) for suggesting a lot of unneeded extras, but they are GREAT when you swap tires 2x a year. If you get from them, as I did with Discount tire and my wife with Tires Plus, they do free swaps going forward. That can save a lot of $$$. They do cost a bit more with install fees up-front, but you can save a lot over the next 3-4 years.

Also, it can be good to get an extra set of TPM sensors, if your system allows, so the tires don't need to be re-balanced every year. This allows for easier install and less wear on the tire for mounting/re-mounting. This depends on the car manufacturer and so forth. Another option is to not use a TPM sensor in the winter (I did that too). I am able to check my own pressure, the light wasn't too annoying, and it can go off a lot due to temp changes so the value can be questionable anyways.

 

[z1ggy]

I have some issues with the major tire places (Tires Plus, Discount Tire) for suggesting a lot of unneeded extras, but they are GREAT when you swap tires 2x a year. If you get from them, as I did with Discount tire and my wife with Tires Plus, they do free swaps going forward. That can save a lot of $$$. They do cost a bit more with install fees up-front, but you can save a lot over the next 3-4 years.

Also, it can be good to get an extra set of TPM sensors, if your system allows, so the tires don't need to be re-balanced every year. This allows for easier install and less wear on the tire for mounting/re-mounting. This depends on the car manufacturer and so forth. Another option is to not use a TPM sensor in the winter (I did that too). I am able to check my own pressure, the light wasn't too annoying, and it can go off a lot due to temp changes so the value can be questionable anyways.

Ok I will see if they have any deals. I know a local place called Town Fair Tire only did free tire changing if both sets of tires they are changing out were bought from them. They are kind of a rip off.

I've heard it's a bad idea (insurance reasons if you crash), if not plain ol illegal to drive around with out TPMS.

 

[exar333]

Ok I will see if they have any deals. I know a local place called Town Fair Tire only did free tire changing if both sets of tires they are changing out were bought from them. They are kind of a rip off.

I've heard it's a bad idea (insurance reasons if you crash), if not plain ol illegal to drive around with out TPMS.

You could be right. That would be silly, as the pretense (or not) of TPMS is immaterial. The real issue should be if the tire is actually under-inflated? Legal stuff isn't generally common-sense though, and that's why we have these ridiculous mandated electro-nannies. Anyway...

You are on the right track. Check for the best deal and see what the rotation options are. Some places will offer free lifetime rotations for a small fee. Usually that pays for itself with just 1-2 uses as many people probably sell the car or just forget to use it.

 

[cabri]

Be Warned
A local Jeep dealer wanted $75-100 per TPMS
Got from Amazon at $15 each.

 

[exar333]

Be Warned
A local Jeep dealer wanted $75-100 per TPMS
Got from Amazon at $15 each.

This.

eBay or Amazon is a great place to get an extra set for 1/2 or even 1/4 of dealer prices. Same sensors...

 

[z1ggy]

I heard a rumor that Super Walmart's (that have the car service stations) will mount and balance tires, even if you don't buy them there, as long as you are getting them installed on your car that day. Same goes for the sensors.

Anybody confirm or deny this?

 

[z1ggy]

OK guys it's been two months, I'm guessing within the next few weeks I'll want to start looking to purchase snowies for my mazda3.

I priced out 16'' steels + new WS80s on tire rack... = $950. Kind of pricey.

I'm considering looking for a used set in entirety, or maybe just lightly used snowies for the 17'' stock wheels I have. Besides Craig's, are there any good forums? I'm on the mazda3forum, and the Buy/Sell section is not very good.

 

[cabri]

I have found that I can not tell the difference in snow tires between a store brand and a name brand when used in conditions that a snow tire is useful

I just (past weekend) put on 4 SUV winter tread on a Jeep GC for under $800.

I have run the same brand/model for the past 7 years on 2 Jeeps with no issues in Colorado and upper Mid West winters.

Recommend that you get store brand snows and rims off of Craig's list or from a junk yard (if you do not want to use your existing rims)

 

[nakedfrog]

I heard a rumor that Super Walmart's (that have the car service stations) will mount and balance tires, even if you don't buy them there, as long as you are getting them installed on your car that day. Same goes for the sensors.

Anybody confirm or deny this?

Yeah, they do, I've done it a few times.

AFAIK the best time to buy snow tires was 5-6 months ago.
I'll be putting mine back on next month.

 

[michal1980]

I have found that I can not tell the difference in snow tires between a store brand and a name brand when used in conditions that a snow tire is useful

I just (past weekend) put on 4 SUV winter tread on a Jeep GC for under $800.

I have run the same brand/model for the past 7 years on 2 Jeeps with no issues in Colorado and upper Mid West winters.

Recommend that you get store brand snows and rims off of Craig's list or from a junk yard (if you do not want to use your existing rims)

No differances huh?

Tire 50-0 mph Stopping Distance (feet)
__________________________Wet______Dry
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80____128.0_____88.2
Dunlop Winter Maxx_________159.4_____97.6
Michelin X-Ice Xi3___________131.4_____93.2
Yokohama iceGuard iG52c____148.8_____94.7

 

[z1ggy]

^ 30ft is quite the difference... Even 10-15ft could mean the difference between hitting that tree/pole/car or not.

 

[cabri]

For me wet != snow

Snow tires are to provide traction when snow reaches the sidewalls.

Stopping distance in snow is different than stopping distance on wet pavement.

 

[JulesMaximus]

^ 30ft is quite the difference... Even 10-15ft could mean the difference between hitting that tree/pole/car or not.

So could slowing down.

 

[nakedfrog]

No differances huh?

Tire 50-0 mph Stopping Distance (feet)
__________________________Wet______Dry
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80____128.0_____88.2
Dunlop Winter Maxx_________159.4_____97.6
Michelin X-Ice Xi3___________131.4_____93.2
Yokohama iceGuard iG52c____148.8_____94.7

Those are all name brands, yes? Wasn't he saying he didn't see a difference between name brands and store brands?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Those are all name brands, yes? Wasn't he saying he didn't see a difference between name brands and store brands?

The thing is, no matter what tire you get, you're going to adjust your driving to the level of grip it provides. If it takes 148' to stop, you're going to brake earlier and drive a little slower so that you'll have a greater margin of safety.

We don't drive around at 10/10ths on public roads and if you're paying attention and driving defensively you can avoid nearly any accident regardless of what tire you choose and how it did in a controlled environment for some magazine test.