What winter tires and rims do you use in the colder months?

[Bugblndr]

Just starting to research winter tires as I live in snowy Buffalo NY, and put snow tires on any non AWD vehicle I have owned. I have always just had the tire shop use the same rims. Taking Summer tires off the rims and putting snow tires on, then the opposite in Spring. They charge a minimal fee to rebalance them. Is there any negative to just doing that, and those not dealing with the variables of different rim widths, weights and aerodynamics? Though we have a reputation for loads of snow, reality is we get a couple of storms a year (max) that drop 12-36 inches, with the occasional year or decade with a huge storm of 7 feet. Between storms, much of Winter, pavement is clear.

Negatives are the ongoing costs and the risk of damage. Twice a year, every year you're paying for the service and increasing the chance of damage. Twice a year, every year, it costs me 40 minutes of my time.

Both take up the same storage space, it's really a personal preference.

 

[Francois]

I will be putting on 16" mags with some P205/60R16 XL 96T PIRELLI - WINTER ICE ZERO STUDDED.
From what I hear they are somewhat noisy but I should feel as safe as if I was in a tank despite how terrible our Quebec winters are.

 

[victor_2019]

I got 17" steel wheels from Costco, about 50 or 60 Canadian each, and I got Michelin xice 3

I live in Montreal so we need good winter tires.

 

[SeanH]

Apologies for necro-ing an older post, but I just ordered winters for my Kona EV.
Tirerack was perfectly happy to sell me snow tires, but claimed it had no idea what wheels to use for the Kona EV. I selected the Kona AWD in order to get access to tire/wheel packages.
Blizzak WS90s weren't available in a compatible 16" size, so I ended up getting:
215/55R17 WS90s mounted on 17x6.5 ET50 steel wheels. (I did check that those Blizzaks were compatible with 6.5" wheels.) Not going to put them on right away, but can report back when I do.

OK! Finally put these on.
They fit! I am *very* glad I went with the 17" wheels. The front brakes are huge and I don't know whether this style 16" wheel would've fit.
I did absolutely nothing for TPMS reprogramming. I ordered the wheels and tires pre-mounted with TPMS from Tirerack, put them on and drove a bit and the new sensor values came up. Much easier than my other cars have been.
I can't tell a huge difference in noise or performance (yet). I can still spin the tires from a stop

 

[Francois]

I can still spin the tires from a stop

Not sure if that is a plus or a minus.
You want them to adhere to the road and you don't want them to wear out too rapidly.

 

[ehatch]

245/45/17 Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR mounted, ITM Uni-sensor TPMS were online within minutes of driving - no relearn needed.Early mileage consumption impact,still efficient,if not slightly more on the highway with the OEM wheel on. Example, average ~14kWh/100km with HVAC on.


Pirellis haven't slipped,or chirped.Bring on the snow,test the Kona Electric's traction,stability

 

[synergism]

Eagerly awaiting delivery here in Calgary, the dealership seems to think it'll be January-ish for mine. I've had All Weather tires on a Mazda 3 through several winters and they've been so-so - I've actually been more disappointed with their performance in the summer than the winter. But I don't want to risk my new EV on Alberta roads without proper winters.

What I'm wondering is whether the weight savings of an alloy wheel with poorer aerodynamic performance than OEM wheels will be better or worse for range than heavier steelies with (guessing here) better aerodynamics because of how they're more of a complete circle.

Or is this just splitting hairs?

 

[electriceddy]

Eagerly awaiting delivery here in Calgary, the dealership seems to think it'll be January-ish for mine. I've had All Weather tires on a Mazda 3 through several winters and they've been so-so - I've actually been more disappointed with their performance in the summer than the winter. But I don't want to risk my new EV on Alberta roads without proper winters.

What I'm wondering is whether the weight savings of an alloy wheel with poorer aerodynamic performance than OEM wheels will be better or worse for range than heavier steelies with (guessing here) better aerodynamics because of how they're more of a complete circle.

Or is this just splitting hairs?

I drove across the appropriately named "Graves" bridge (Glenmore Trail over the Bow River) on a regular basis for many years. Due to the close proximity to the warmer river (not a high bridge) compared to the ambient temperature, ice would always be in abundance, hence the large # of accidents.
For the local conditions I would be more concerned of traction than range. Kona has great range as it is, a little less is a small price to pay compared to safe adhesion to the road surface.(Of course we are talking winter)
Hope your wait is not too long

 

[ehatch]

Eagerly awaiting delivery here in Calgary, the dealership seems to think it'll be January-ish for mine. I've had All Weather tires on a Mazda 3 through several winters and they've been so-so - I've actually been more disappointed with their performance in the summer than the winter. But I don't want to risk my new EV on Alberta roads without proper winters.

What I'm wondering is whether the weight savings of an alloy wheel with poorer aerodynamic performance than OEM wheels will be better or worse for range than heavier steelies with (guessing here) better aerodynamics because of how they're more of a complete circle.

Or is this just splitting hairs?

I've had zero range loss based on EPA/ NRCAN ratings. Got below rated range with non OEM open wheels/rims with highway driving.if you can, get alloy/aluminum alloy for better handling,at least it has been my experience.Winter,I think the steel wheels will add about 5lbs to each tire.

 

[Bugblndr]

Eagerly awaiting delivery here in Calgary, the dealership seems to think it'll be January-ish for mine. I've had All Weather tires on a Mazda 3 through several winters and they've been so-so - I've actually been more disappointed with their performance in the summer than the winter. But I don't want to risk my new EV on Alberta roads without proper winters.

What I'm wondering is whether the weight savings of an alloy wheel with poorer aerodynamic performance than OEM wheels will be better or worse for range than heavier steelies with (guessing here) better aerodynamics because of how they're more of a complete circle.

Or is this just splitting hairs?

Probably just splitting hairs at that point IMO. I went with 16's for my car, each rim/rubber combo is 9lbs lighter than the stock wheels. 12-15 lbs lighter than 17" steelies perhaps?

 

[NP27]

Probably just splitting hairs at that point IMO. I went with 16's for my car, each rim/rubber combo is 9lbs lighter than the stock wheels. 12-15 lbs lighter than 17" steelies perhaps?
View attachment 6610 View attachment 6610

If range is critical, then I would say spend the extra on lighter rims and maybe 16" since they seem to work. I remember an earlier post where someone said 16" rims rubbed against the brakes (if I remember correctly), and that concerned me so I went with the same 17" as the oem. I did however get steel rims. I'm sure it's a combination of the colder temperatures (I'm in southern Ontario), the heavier steel rims and the 17" winter tires (Blizzak WS90), but my efficiency has plummeted! I was averaging around 12-14 kWh/100km in the summer on the Nexens. Now I'm getting 18-21 kWh/100km! However, range isn't critical for me, and I'd much rather feel secure driving in winter around here. We're in a snowbelt so that was my priority.

 

[Wildeyed]

Unfortunately cold weather hits your range at exactly the same time as we swap tires so it's virtually impossible to say which is the chicken and which is the egg.

 

[NeilBlanchard]

Nokian Hakka R3 tires are some of the lowest rolling resistance tires of any type, not just winter tires. And they are the best studless winter tires that Nokian makes - they are a Finnish company, so they know how to make good winter tires. They are also very quiet for a winter tire, on dry pavement.

 

[HepKona]

Nokian Hakka R3 tires are some of the lowest rolling resistance tires of any type, not just winter tires. And they are the best studless winter tires that Nokian makes - they are a Finnish company, so they know how to make good winter tires. They are also very quiet for a winter tire, on dry pavement.

My Hakka R3s should be in this week. Sadly, I waited a week too ling since we got our first 10/12” last night here in Rochester. Going to put em on 17” steelies.



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[electriceddy]

My Hakka R3s should be in this week. Sadly, I waited a week too ling since we got our first 10/12” last night here in Rochester. Going to put em on 17” steelies.



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

Nice - be sure to let us know how they perform.
These ones I assume :
https://www.nokiantires.com/winter-tires/nokian-hakkapeliitta-r3/user-opinions/

 

[ehatch]

Probably just splitting hairs at that point IMO. I went with 16's for my car, each rim/rubber combo is 9lbs lighter than the stock wheels. 12-15 lbs lighter than 17" steelies perhaps?
View attachment 6610 View attachment 6610

Not splitting hairs. I am maintaining rated consumption,or better within city driving with winter tires because I have the OEM flat wheels installed with them. The after market looks nice! I am just lazy to have to clean the extra arms on the wheel.

 

[K0NA19]

 

[K0NA19]

Just installed Bridgestone Blizzak over the weekend. The ride is definitely rougher than the original wheels. The average consumption has also declined slightly.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs

 

[apu]

Just got my Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 delivered by fedex yesterday, had great difficulty trying to mount the lowish profile tires 215/55/17 on our garage manual tire changer. Despite copious lube decided Im not going wreck the sidewall mounting them(that has happened before) and dropped them off at out local tire shop today to mount and balance on my Kijiji find aluminum rims. At least I saved some money on installing the TPMS sensors and cheap wheels

 

[Bugblndr]

Not splitting hairs. I am maintaining rated consumption,or better within city driving with winter tires because I have the OEM flat wheels installed with them. The after market looks nice! I am just lazy to have to clean the extra arms on the wheel.

It's really hard to tell. You have 9 lbs more rotating mass than me for each wheel and a bigger contact patch which should result in more friction. On the other hand, your wheels have less wind resistance.

I couldn't tell you if my consumption has increased or decreased or stayed the same. Temperatures have fluctuated way too much in the week I've had mine on, 12 cms of snow, and different driving highway and city percentages makes it impossible.