Anyone know what size snow tires and rims are required for my 2009 cobalt ss/tc? apparently you need a special sized steel rim to fit the brakes on the front.

i don't want to drive it in the winter much but it is Canada and i may not have a choice one day so i want to be prepared...

Cobalt_Daddy
2009 Cobalt SS/TC

 

It is my understanding that there are no steel wheels that will work on our cars due to the brembo calipers. The smallest you can go is 17 inch alloy, and that is if you cant find a wheel that clears the caliper. the problem is not the disk diameter it is how far the caliper sticks out.


OH

BTW...if you use search you will find about 100+ posts about this issue.

 

I put Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 tires on my stock wheels and they worked great in the winter. I had all seasons and they were terrible when the temperatures were freezing, so I exchanged them for winters. With all seasons I was stuck in snow often and could not even get up my shoveled driveway!

 

i did alot of searches on the topic but majority of them were in reference to the older model cobalt SS's with smaller brakes and rims. not sure what to do now... maybe just park it for the winter. :/ i put aside $1,500 for winter tires and rims hope there is something out there that will work.

 

I will be getting a set of wheels off of a SS/NA (17"...the ones that fit over our brakes) and putting some Blizzaks on them for winter use. It's a relatively cheap combo and will certainly rock in the winter.

 

I used those wheels last winter




They are distributed by macpek, a heavy truck part distributor. I think they only have distributors in the province of Quebec, but they are 170$ a wheel and shipping would probably be not too bad. Part number AGM753A. They are also a quite heavy and strong wheel, which is good for our pothole infested winter roads.

 

thanks i'll look into that

so the old 17" or 18" rims on the 07 SS and down will fit our brakes? i thought the brembo system was new for 08-09? can anyone verify the smallest size of rims that can be used as winter rims? I've been on sites that have old cobalt SS/SC 16" winter rims but i really doubt they would fit my 09.

 

17'' is the smallest that will fit, some people will add a 3mm spacer with the 17 ss wheels for clearance.

 

I bought the MSR 045's on the last spring sale....using my stock wheels and performance snow tires