Wheels and snow...
02-22-2008, 11:49 AM
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Wheels and snow...
I have a question for all of you northerners out there like me who plow through the snow on a daily basis. All you lucky ducks in Florida and Arizona can tune-out now or ready along and gloat 
Has anyone else had this problem? (Also sorry if this has been asked and answered already)
Drive to work in the snow. The roads clear off a little during the day and I can make better time - theoretically. However when I get out on the roads the car is shaking like the space shuttle at launch . It feels like the wheels are suddenly out of balance. So I pull into a parking lot and check my wheels (stockers btw) and all around the inside is a layer of ice and hard-packed snow. So I rumage around in there and knock the snow lose and take off and everything is fine.
So a few questions. Anyone else notice this and do you think it's because of the wheel is made/shaped? I've never had this with other cars. Also any idea of how to prevent it? I was thinking a layer of pertroleum jelly or something on the inside would keep ice from sticking but wanted to hear other opinions first. Thanks!
Has anyone else had this problem? (Also sorry if this has been asked and answered already)
Drive to work in the snow. The roads clear off a little during the day and I can make better time - theoretically. However when I get out on the roads the car is shaking like the space shuttle at launch . It feels like the wheels are suddenly out of balance. So I pull into a parking lot and check my wheels (stockers btw) and all around the inside is a layer of ice and hard-packed snow. So I rumage around in there and knock the snow lose and take off and everything is fine.
So a few questions. Anyone else notice this and do you think it's because of the wheel is made/shaped? I've never had this with other cars. Also any idea of how to prevent it? I was thinking a layer of pertroleum jelly or something on the inside would keep ice from sticking but wanted to hear other opinions first. Thanks!
02-22-2008, 12:09 PM
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Most of us 'northerners' don't drive in the winter with our stockers. We usually buy 16" or 17" winter rims and winter tires. I have never had the stock rims on in any snow so can't help out much. I do get some snow and ice buildup inside the wheel well; nothing a little boot doesn't take care of though. Good luck.
02-22-2008, 12:12 PM
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my cavi does the same thing. is your car lowered at all? when i had my car lowered i noticed it was 10 times worse...so much snow packed in the wheel well i could barely turn.
02-22-2008, 12:59 PM
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not lowered but i am on stockers and i've had that problem quite a few times this winter, it sucks. it'll get to the point where the wheel is just about jerking out of my hand so the drive is definately not pleasant. i've also noticed that i burn through gas a lot faster. extra weight = 
my escort had the same issue last year.
my escort had the same issue last year.
02-22-2008, 01:24 PM
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It hasn't happened to the Cobalt yet (probably because I have a heated garage and the 15"s), but it would happen to my 240SX a lot. I would just take it to a car wash. As far as preventing it from happening in the first place. Getting some smaller wheels with higher profile tires will keep the inside of the rim higher off the ground. Also, doing fewer brakeslides would help (though I wouldn't blame you for not).
02-22-2008, 02:20 PM
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A coating of PAM would be a better idea, but neither is going to work. 5 min of driving and it is washed away!
Last edited by firedude71_60; 02-22-2008 at 02:21 PM. Reason: spelling error
02-22-2008, 04:10 PM
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16x7.5 Sport Edition CD Bright Satin w/Machined Lip
for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan LS
205/55VR16 XL Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Blackwall
for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan LS
for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan LS
205/55VR16 XL Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance Blackwall
for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan LS
02-22-2008, 04:14 PM
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anyone ever get this....everytime it snows at all my ABS light kicks on...once the sno starts melting it goes away. kinda bothers me since this is pretty much the only weather i like my ABS
02-22-2008, 04:26 PM
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not lowered but i am on stockers and i've had that problem quite a few times this winter, it sucks. it'll get to the point where the wheel is just about jerking out of my hand so the drive is definately not pleasant. i've also noticed that i burn through gas a lot faster. extra weight =
my escort had the same issue last year.
my escort had the same issue last year.
02-22-2008, 05:30 PM
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Hehe powerslides- I drive my car hard sometimes but no powerslides. I have thought about getting some steelies or something cheaper to run in the winter but just assumed that these would be OK. I'd rather put the money towards nicer summer wheels and use these as winter wheels hehe.
From some of the questions I realized that I wasn't exactly clear in my first post. The ice is built-up on the inner part of the wheel not the wheelwell. I've live in Wisconsin my whole life so jammed-up wheelwells are just a part of life hehe I remember busting a mudguard off of my dads truck kicking a "chunker" off of it-he was not pleased. Getting this build-up on the wheel and having it feel like the tired are out of round is a new one though.
I drive my car hard sometimes but no powerslides. I have thought about getting some steelies or something cheaper to run in the winter but just assumed that these would be OK. I'd rather put the money towards nicer summer wheels and use these as winter wheels hehe.From some of the questions I realized that I wasn't exactly clear in my first post. The ice is built-up on the inner part of the wheel not the wheelwell. I've live in Wisconsin my whole life so jammed-up wheelwells are just a part of life hehe
I remember busting a mudguard off of my dads truck kicking a "chunker" off of it-he was not pleased. Getting this build-up on the wheel and having it feel like the tired are out of round is a new one though.
02-22-2008, 11:29 PM
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Yes, snow, ice, water, salt all mess with your ABS and TC (if you have a car with Traction Control). just a pain with technology in our environment.
02-23-2008, 08:44 AM
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I just deal with it! After a few times hard braking there is enough heat transfer to melt the ice or maybe its the hard turns...anyway after a few days the temps are warm enough AND the braking heats the rims enough to get rid of the problem.
02-23-2008, 02:25 PM
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My base model gets snow packed every once in a while, mainly if I park East/West in an empty lot, the wind drives it into the wheels. I just take it into the Zamboni room and flush out the wheels with hot water and cruise away (and keep moving for a few minutes until the existing water freezes/leaves and I'm balanced again. It doesn't get warm enough to melt it for weeks at a time.
02-24-2008, 01:42 AM
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I don't drive mine in the winter but the SS wheels , especially the 18's, have such a big opening in the wheel that every time i wash my car i take my old sponges and actually wash the inside of the wheels too. I can fit my whole hand (with sponge ) into the wheel and completely clean the brake dust out of them . It's not surprising that snow builds up in there.
03-04-2008, 10:42 AM
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The reason your car shakes so bad is cuz the weight of the snow/ice built up is taking it off balance. IT SUCKS. Happens to me all time. Some of my friends use sometimes use wd40 to protect their wheels from the salt. Dont ask me why, but they swear by it.
03-05-2008, 02:24 PM
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WD-40 eh. I might give it a try but I'm hoping the snow will be done soon. I'm sure you are too Brraaaapp. I think we're driving on the same snow since I work in Richland Center and I see you're in Dodge County.
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