winter tires

[superleggera]

Originally Posted by jxl00

and do you guys know a good place to mount/balance tires for cheap?
I called around and found a place for 28 a tire but that still seems steep.

Seems expensive. It's not close to boston but the place I go to in Holyoke MA is $20 a tire to give you an idea. Usually they do it for free if I buy the tires from them too.

[ZionsWrath]

Go on tire rack and look at their recommended installers. They list their prices to mount and balance, you can even search by road force balance shops.

This is how I always find my tire places. My previously preferred shop increased their rate from 20 to 35! I found a new one on there for 20. Pays to shop around. And remember, if a place looks sketchy when you get there, just leave. Don't risk damaging your new wheels.

[fromaage]

I've driven with the stock Michelins in deep snow (just moving my car into a covered lot) and can confirm that these tires can't handle it. That said, if you have alternative transportation available during the winter, the Michelins work fine in cold, dry pavement, although with a significant drop in traction, so you can make them work.

I got my tires installed at Smooth Automotive in Arlington for $80 total. They can also store the summer tires for something like $30 per season for all four.

[FRiSson]

I think all-season tires will be okay in Boston weather for the winter.
However, think about this:
This has been proven again and again in impartial testing - a quality dedicated Winter tire vs All-Season tires will:
1) Stop much more effectively in slush, on ice and snow (roughly 30% shorter)
2) Allow for smoother, more predictable acceleration.
3) Allow you to more predictably drive through the occasional roadway slush pile and other random heaps of snow.
4) Allow you to get on the road sooner after a storm.
5) Allow more predictable behavior and higher turning speeds.

Note also, even a minor accident will probably cost you more in repairs and insurance than the cost of snow tires and mounting.

For peace of mind, driveability and simple economics - winter tires are the obvious choice.

FWIW, I chose steel rims and 16" tires. The outer diameter is within 1/10 inch of stock.

[jxl00]

I went with Hankook W310 i-cept evo 205/50/17. they were 395 (shipping included) from discount tire. thanks guys! i'm gonna mount them on my stock tires mid novemeber

[jwoodland]

So, as a rule of thumb, do you wait for the snow to fly or the temp to drop before putting on your snows?

Ordered my snows from Tire Rack, and had them the next day. Just trying to figure out when to put them on.

Thanks

[Pbrown]

Originally Posted by jwoodland

So, as a rule of thumb, do you wait for the snow to fly or the temp to drop before putting on your snows?

Ordered my snows from Tire Rack, and had them the next day. Just trying to figure out when to put them on.

Thanks

if the temps are averaging below 50 degrees farenheit, I would say put them on. in your neck of the woods snowstorms can happen at anytime so I wouldn't wait too long. Just remember not advised to go 120km/h on any snow tire. Got mine on already.

[Pbrown]

Originally Posted by jxl00

sorry, if this has been asked, I did a quick search,


are winter tires absolutely necessary, or are all-season stock tires okay?


not looking to have the best traction/grip in the winter. just need to survive/save money

The stock tires are definitely not all season. would highly recommend winters as I have been through 2 winters now with 0 issues.

[AznBRZer]

Originally Posted by jwoodland

So, as a rule of thumb, do you wait for the snow to fly or the temp to drop before putting on your snows?

Ordered my snows from Tire Rack, and had them the next day. Just trying to figure out when to put them on.

Thanks

Turkey Day to Tax Day is my general rule of thumb. I'm having mine mounted on the 21st unless it snows before then.

[superleggera]

Originally Posted by Pbrown

if the temps are averaging below 50 degrees farenheit, I would say put them on. in your neck of the woods snowstorms can happen at anytime so I wouldn't wait too long. Just remember not advised to go 120km/h on any snow tire. Got mine on already.

Really? My blizzaks are rated to 110+ mph, not that I would go that fast with them.

Originally Posted by AznBRZer

Turkey Day to Tax Day is my general rule of thumb. I'm having mine mounted on the 21st unless it snows before then.

That's a good plan. I put mine on this weekend as I heard it was supposed to snow later this week. We will see if that pans out.

[thunderfox]

Anyone have any experience with the stock Turanza (not Primacy)? I wont drive in snow but I suspect a lot of slush. Snow = gf's Forester

[CoupedUpSubie]

Originally Posted by thunderfox

Anyone have any experience with the stock Turanza (not Primacy)? I wont drive in snow but I suspect a lot of slush. Snow = gf's Forester

From a quick image search the turanza is probably in the same category as the primacy. You can probably get away with a mild tread pattern. Personally if you don't want to spend a ton of money on winter tires then the general altimax arctic is less then $100 a tire on tire rack, get them without studs and you should get around fine.

[Pbrown]

[QUOTE=superleggera;2017743]Really? My blizzaks are rated to 110+ mph, not that I would go that fast with them.


I was surprised as well. I was bored and read through the owners manual and there it was. probably just a suggestion but it was in the warranty part of the manual.

[AznBRZer]

Anyone else throw their winter rubber on last night thinking that there'd be more snow this morning?