That terrible time of year...Winter Wheels

**richy** · 11-11-2013, 10:11 PM

With the forecast calling for below-freezing temps this week, it was time to switch to the Winter Wheels. I got these a few years ago and I am a firm believer in their safety. It was raining out at the time, so washing the car was out of the question. I removed one wheel at a time and then cleaned it front and back, including the back of the tire so I could letter it. Then the barrels got a coat of DG beta sealant followed up by Permanon shot from a paint gun. The faces already were coated with OG, so they just got sprayed with Permanon. It took a lot longer doing it this way, but the new ones went away clean and protected and the winters will stay clean for probably one day <sigh>.

Here's the Summer's all ready to hibernate:

Here are the Winter ones. The tires are Blizzaks. I got the set from Belle Tire in Detroit almost 3 years ago.

**Romans5.8** · 11-11-2013, 10:17 PM

Hey, could be worse! I've known folks who use steelies in the winter. Yuck!

Lucky to live in a climate where it still gets cold and we even still get a little snow, but not so much that the roads are a problem or winter tires are necessary.

**richy** · 11-11-2013, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Romans5.8

Hey, could be worse! I've known folks who use steelies in the winter. Yuck!

Lucky to live in a climate where it still gets cold and we even still get a little snow, but not so much that the roads are a problem or winter tires are necessary.

Winter tires have very, very little to do with dealing with snow. Their primary purpose is traction. The compound of them is so much softer, that your stopping distance decreases dramatically vs the All Seasons that come with the car. Below 40°F, the All Seasons harden up like a hockey puck and slide on pavement with about the same velocity. Even if you never see snow, if it's below 40, get some winter tires. You'll thank me the first time you hit the brakes!!

**KillaCam** · 11-11-2013, 11:21 PM

I'm glad I live in the south. DG beta sealant? Hmmm

**Klasse Act** · 01-03-2015, 02:06 PM

Here's my winter tires and also TW tire coating that's over a month old👍

**firecorgi** · 01-03-2015, 02:21 PM

Yes sir. Switched over the CR-V to the winter wheels and tires. I have Hankook winter I pikes. Agreed with you Ritchy, great traction.

**Crispy** · 01-03-2015, 02:27 PM

Here in south west Ontario we have had snow since Nov. 1. Put winter tires and rims on Dec 1. The rims are polished aluminum that I refinished over the summer. The rims were coated with 2 coats of cured Opti-Coat 2.0 and Opti-Seal. I also sprayed with Permanon. So far no problems keeping them clean (regular wash with car wash soap and tire brush has kept them looking like new). The tires are proving to be much harder to keep detailed. I have started applying dressing every week at the least. The rubber is definitely softer and therefore seems to attract and hold the road grime (there is no shortage of road grime).

**WAXOFF** · 01-03-2015, 02:34 PM

When those tires wear out I suggest General Altimax Artic. They last a lot longer and are less expensive.

**Klasse Act** · 01-03-2015, 03:07 PM

My winter tires are the new Blizzak WS80 and so far so good but one things for sure, at around 90 mph they let you know they're winter tires😋

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

**kevincwelch** · 01-03-2015, 04:27 PM

Put my winter wheels (Rial Lugano 19 inch with Michelin Xi3 winter tires) on about 1 month ago. Definitely can tell they're winter tires when I'm taking corners at 10-15 mph more than recommended. However, they make such a huge impact when it comes to driving in snow and slush.

I just wish I could keep them clean through the winter!

The last time they were clean: Dec 2, 2014.