Winter 'balt
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Joined: 08-12-06
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From: Grand Blanc, MI
$300 shipped from www.hhrclub.org
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Joined: 06-23-06
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From: Broomall, PA
whats a good cheap winter tire and wheel package i could pick up? i have a beater but thats no use for the random snow fall when im out in my cobalt. plus id like to keep my wheels nice and dont wanna get salt and crap all over it.
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Joined: 07-07-06
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From: Loveland, Ohio
what I've learned about snow tires
tirerack.com has a great winter selection..... I spoke w/ them and was told we can get 16" rims on SC's. I also know that someone (not tire rack, maybe eurotire in NJ) has a 16" steel rim for the SC. I am going to go w/ a lightweight 17" rim so I can use it for snows (winters) and race rubber in the summer and keep my 18's for commuting.
the issue is naturally tire choice. any winter tire will be better than any summer or all season tire in the cold. the difference is rubber compound that grips, is flexible and soft below 32 degrees. remember if you have a SC you will probably get 2 winters out of a set (depending on how you drive), so what you buy for this winter(06') you'll have next winter(07'). If you have a base or regular SS I bet you could get 3 to 4 winters on a set. make a wise choice so that you will be happy to put them back on in (07').
they do make high speed H & V rated snows that I had on my 03 R/T..... I have learned that H rated snows are acceptable in deep snow.... great in light snow and excellent at speed on cleared road(100 mph+). the problem with the low speed snows they will be the opposite of the H & V rated snows....
excellent in deep snow, great in light snow and horrible on cleared roads at speeds over 50-60 w/ no cornering ability.
choose wisely grasshopper
I still want more H & V rated snow tire input
the issue is naturally tire choice. any winter tire will be better than any summer or all season tire in the cold. the difference is rubber compound that grips, is flexible and soft below 32 degrees. remember if you have a SC you will probably get 2 winters out of a set (depending on how you drive), so what you buy for this winter(06') you'll have next winter(07'). If you have a base or regular SS I bet you could get 3 to 4 winters on a set. make a wise choice so that you will be happy to put them back on in (07').
they do make high speed H & V rated snows that I had on my 03 R/T..... I have learned that H rated snows are acceptable in deep snow.... great in light snow and excellent at speed on cleared road(100 mph+). the problem with the low speed snows they will be the opposite of the H & V rated snows....
excellent in deep snow, great in light snow and horrible on cleared roads at speeds over 50-60 w/ no cornering ability.
choose wisely grasshopper
I still want more H & V rated snow tire input
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Joined: 07-03-05
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From: South Bend , Indiana
I had 16x7 Saab 9-3 wheels and 215/60-16 Nordfrost snow tires . Those tires were awesome , got me around like a 4x4 
I bought the 4 wheels and tires for $500 on ebay .
....in contrast , I had the stock 18's and pirelli's for a couple weeks of snow . They were fine in like 1-2" wet snow . But one night we got 6" and I couldnt even get the car outa my plowed parking lot . It was pretty sad .
I bought the 4 wheels and tires for $500 on ebay . ....in contrast , I had the stock 18's and pirelli's for a couple weeks of snow . They were fine in like 1-2" wet snow . But one night we got 6" and I couldnt even get the car outa my plowed parking lot . It was pretty sad .
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From: Canada
I ran mine through last years winter. It works great, especially if you have the LSD. Only problem is you have to watch the front lip on the bumper, as it is pretty low.
I ordered 16" GM steel wheels in the 5 X 110 bolt pattern, and put on Michelin X-Ice 205/60R16 tires (almost identital tire diameter to the stock 215/45R18 tires on the stock rims, so speedo is accurate still). Works like a charm!
My friend calls them "Cop Wheels"!
I ordered 16" GM steel wheels in the 5 X 110 bolt pattern, and put on Michelin X-Ice 205/60R16 tires (almost identital tire diameter to the stock 215/45R18 tires on the stock rims, so speedo is accurate still). Works like a charm!
My friend calls them "Cop Wheels"!
Last edited by mi6_; Sep 14, 2006 at 12:56 AM.
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Joined: 04-07-06
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From: Passaic, New Jersey
So through the whole winter you use winter tires n try to avoid going too fast? Do they help a lot in the rain? Can you just put your winter tires on when its about to snow or would it be better to just leave them on all winter? My car that I have now did a 180 while i was lightly using the brakes to stop at a light. Thank God that there was nobody very close to me. The road had some ice but I just dont trust my car on snow, ice, or rain. Another time it was raining pretty hard and I felt my car lose control for a second but nothing happened. My tires are pretty new too. Any advice?
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
I ordered 16" GM steel wheels in the 5 X 110 bolt pattern, and put on Michelin X-Ice 205/60R16 tires (almost identital tire diameter to the stock 215/45R18 tires on the stock rims, so speedo is accurate still). Works like a charm!
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From: Loveland, Ohio
PauL500x, yes you leave the winter set up on until the snow is totally gone or I wait until it warms above freezing to take them off. Did you not read what I wrote about H rated snows & V rated snows. you can fly on those in the winter and light snow....you gotta polish them winter skills! when you put your summers back on it will be like a different car
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From: Passaic, New Jersey
Originally Posted by suburbanrobot
PauL500x, yes you leave the winter set up on until the snow is totally gone or I wait until it warms above freezing to take them off. Did you not read what I wrote about H rated snows & V rated snows. you can fly on those in the winter and light snow....you gotta polish them winter skills! when you put your summers back on it will be like a different car
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Joined: 06-24-06
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From: Akron, OH
Originally Posted by cmj917
Dunlop WinterSport M3s on a set of Sport Edition F6 wheels all from tirerack ... one of the best "investments" you can make if you're planning on driving your SS through the winter.
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Joined: 06-02-05
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From: Grandville, MI
Originally Posted by Mazdaspeed
What size? I'm looking into the new Dunlop Sp Winter Sport 3D 215/55HR16 on tirerack. With steelies, the total is $664.
Thread Starter
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From: TORONTO
GREAT INPUT GUYS THANKS FOR THE REPLIES LOOKS LIKE STEELIES WITH TIRES I GUESS. ALTHOUGH I THINK IM GOING TO INVEST I KROWN RUST SPRAY AS WELL THEN. IN CANADA
WE HAVE CANADIAN TIRE ICE TIRES USUALLY MADE BY A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER UNDER A CANADIAN TIRE BADGE. MY SRT-4 BUDDY USED THAM LAST YEAR HE SAID THEY WORKED FINE AS WELL, ANY CANUCKS TRIED THEM TOO?
WE HAVE CANADIAN TIRE ICE TIRES USUALLY MADE BY A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER UNDER A CANADIAN TIRE BADGE. MY SRT-4 BUDDY USED THAM LAST YEAR HE SAID THEY WORKED FINE AS WELL, ANY CANUCKS TRIED THEM TOO?
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From: Canada
Originally Posted by PauL500x
So through the whole winter you use winter tires n try to avoid going too fast? Do they help a lot in the rain? Can you just put your winter tires on when its about to snow or would it be better to just leave them on all winter? My car that I have now did a 180 while i was lightly using the brakes to stop at a light. Thank God that there was nobody very close to me. The road had some ice but I just dont trust my car on snow, ice, or rain. Another time it was raining pretty hard and I felt my car lose control for a second but nothing happened. My tires are pretty new too. Any advice?
Yes, I leave them on all winter. It is not like New York City, or Vancouver (or other coastal climates) where it snows sometimes and goes away. We are talking Canadian prairie winters here! Usually we have permanent snow for about 4-5 months where I live. The roads will be covered with snow, ice, and whatever else the winer brings. I doubt I drive faster than 90 Kph (56 MPH) at any time in the winter! Going any faster would make me a statistic. The roads are too icey and slippery to even think about approaching a speed which would compromise the speed rating on the tires. If you are into that kind of winter driving, you need a WRX or something similar with 4WD, as that is the only way you could stay on the road.
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Joined: 04-07-06
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From: Passaic, New Jersey
Originally Posted by mi6_
LOL....
Yes, I leave them on all winter. It is not like New York City, or Vancouver (or other coastal climates) where it snows sometimes and goes away. We are talking Canadian prairie winters here! Usually we have permanent snow for about 4-5 months where I live. The roads will be covered with snow, ice, and whatever else the winer brings. I doubt I drive faster than 90 Kph (56 MPH) at any time in the winter! Going any faster would make me a statistic. The roads are too icey and slippery to even think about approaching a speed which would compromise the speed rating on the tires. If you are into that kind of winter driving, you need a WRX or something similar with 4WD, as that is the only way you could stay on the road.
Yes, I leave them on all winter. It is not like New York City, or Vancouver (or other coastal climates) where it snows sometimes and goes away. We are talking Canadian prairie winters here! Usually we have permanent snow for about 4-5 months where I live. The roads will be covered with snow, ice, and whatever else the winer brings. I doubt I drive faster than 90 Kph (56 MPH) at any time in the winter! Going any faster would make me a statistic. The roads are too icey and slippery to even think about approaching a speed which would compromise the speed rating on the tires. If you are into that kind of winter driving, you need a WRX or something similar with 4WD, as that is the only way you could stay on the road.
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From: Loveland, Ohio
Originally Posted by mi6_
LOL....
Yes, I leave them on all winter. It is not like New York City, or Vancouver (or other coastal climates) where it snows sometimes and goes away. We are talking Canadian prairie winters here! Usually we have permanent snow for about 4-5 months where I live. The roads will be covered with snow, ice, and whatever else the winer brings. I doubt I drive faster than 90 Kph (56 MPH) at any time in the winter! Going any faster would make me a statistic. The roads are too icey and slippery to even think about approaching a speed which would compromise the speed rating on the tires. If you are into that kind of winter driving, you need a WRX or something similar with 4WD, as that is the only way you could stay on the road.
Yes, I leave them on all winter. It is not like New York City, or Vancouver (or other coastal climates) where it snows sometimes and goes away. We are talking Canadian prairie winters here! Usually we have permanent snow for about 4-5 months where I live. The roads will be covered with snow, ice, and whatever else the winer brings. I doubt I drive faster than 90 Kph (56 MPH) at any time in the winter! Going any faster would make me a statistic. The roads are too icey and slippery to even think about approaching a speed which would compromise the speed rating on the tires. If you are into that kind of winter driving, you need a WRX or something similar with 4WD, as that is the only way you could stay on the road.
