snowtires and steelwheels

If you don't mind ignoring or covering the TPMS light, steel wheels may save you money on seasonal changes. Look around and you might find that dismounting one set of tires to mount and then balance another set may cost you $40 to $60. I don't know how much a shop might charge you to swap tires on their own rims -- I do that myself in less than a half hour. At that rate, the tire change savings can pay for the steel wheels within two years.

On top of that, I can switch between winter and 3 season tires whenever I want and as often as I like, in case there's an unexpectedly early or late blizzard or a predicted long warm spell in January.

One exception is if you buy your winter and 3 season tires at a place like Costco that will do seasonal tire changes for free, even without steel wheels. Their Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S and X-Ice would make a great year-round duo, if purchased during their $60 off a set sales.

 

Most snow tires do not have a tread life rating on them.. Generally, in ice, snow and damp pavement, they don't wear very much, being lubricated by all the water, however if you put them on too early or keep them on late and start driving too much on dry pavement, you can put some severe wear on the tire.. Typically most drivers should expect that the tires will last at least 4-5 seasons, and then they'll need replacement, generally not because the tread is worn out, but because the soft rubber compound may have hardened during that time, degrading the winter performance- therefore it's important to store your tires properly in the off-season. Most tire retailers will provide tire bags for storing tires- do not throw these out, keep them and use them for storing your tires out of direct sun and heat to maximize your tire life.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Oct 11 2006, 08:21 PM) [snapback]331484[/snapback]</div>

do you mean the trim rings? even if they would pop onto a steel wheel, which I doubt, you'd still see most of the (inside part) steel wheel exposed. maybe I'm missing something?

rpm

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Oct 12 2006, 02:41 PM) [snapback]331874[/snapback]</div>

you might check your local Target/Walmarts... I think they are cheaper than Tirerack, and you won't have to pay shipping (although you will have sales tax).

rob

 

If you get steel wheels put on, don't forget to keep 5 of the original lug nuts in your car. The nuts for the steel wheels are usually a different style from the ones used on the spare.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Oct 12 2006, 08:18 PM) [snapback]332031[/snapback]</div>

The Prius really likes to have snow tires for snowy driving. The hybrid drive system, which handles braking as well as accelleration, is pretty sensitive to tire slippage.

And don't forget, not only will the tires make you safer, they reduce the wear on your other set of tires which should offset some of the cost.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(deh2k @ Oct 13 2006, 12:39 PM) [snapback]332353[/snapback]</div>

Hi.. wondering if the Michelin HydroEdge will act enough like a snow tire for New England winters, or if I truly need snows. Also, is it realistic to expect that my car will start on sub zero mornings??
Thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Oct 13 2006, 09:08 PM) [snapback]332566[/snapback]</div>

Hi Stan! Wondering if you ever replaced your integrity OEMs? Here's my issue.. I need to be somewhat cost concious, but absolutely need safety. I do ski and it snows a considerable amount up here.. above the 84 line! I really dislike the Integrities that came with the car.. have had too many encounters skidding, being blown around, so I need to have a good all-around tire. However, can one tire.. Michelin MXV4 or Hydroedge be all things at once? Are there less expensive snow tires? Who puts the tires on if you have them shipped to your house? As always, you are a great source of information for me.. thanks..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msnancy61 @ Oct 15 2006, 10:18 AM) [snapback]332964[/snapback]</div>

The MXV4+ is just fair on snow (I have 25,000 miles on mine. They are better than the OEM Integrity tires in all ways, including snow) and the Hydroedge is supposed to be a little better than the MXV4+ in snow and wet, but I'm not sure about wet - it may just be marketing.

Take a look at the Nokian Snows (Hakkapeliitta RSi - pure winter tire or their WR - also good dry) as an alternantive to the x-ice (Michelin) if you can find them, both are available in 185/65R15 size.

JeffD

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(msnancy61 @ Oct 13 2006, 09:41 PM) [snapback]332554[/snapback]</div>

No all season tire will work on snow and ice as well as real snow tires will. Will HydroEdges be good enough? That depends on many factors, so I really can't say. While the HSD is somewhat sensitive to slippage,, the fundamental issues of the Prius in slippery conditions are not terribly different from other FWD cars, in my opinion.

I can tell you that the Prius starts up great in the cold. Outside overnight in -20F is no problem. You have the biggest starter motor and battery in town! The cabin may not warm up as fast as some other cars you're used to that generate more waste heat. It's still way better than my old VW bus was (oh, the stories I could tell...)