Snowshoes

[NS_Stinger]

Where did you purchase the wheels and tires? Are those 18"s?

Pmctire.com is where I got them and yes they're 18x8 wheels with 225 45r tires.

 

[Seismic Swan]

Pmctire.com is where I got them and yes they're 18x8 wheels with 225 45r tires.

Not this entirely matters ,but when I was talking to the tire shop about tire options I asked about the X-ice specifically because they come with that warranty.

The response I got was that it is a duel durometer tire, the outer half of the tread is the winter compound, but then the inner half of the tread is an all season compound. So after 20-30 thousand miles it is an all season tire, no longer a winter tire. But it gets better wear so they can give it that tread life warranty .

Not sure if that is accurate or not, but I see no reason they would make it up. He did add that he had used them in the past, so it wasn't an anti tire brand guy .

Just thought I'd throw this out there.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Not this entirely matters ,but when I was talking to the tire shop about tire options I asked about the X-ice specifically because they come with that warranty.

The response I got was that it is a duel durometer tire, the outer half of the tread is the winter compound, but then the inner half of the tread is an all season compound. So after 20-30 thousand miles it is an all season tire, no longer a winter tire. But it gets better wear so they can give it that tread life warranty .

Not sure if that is accurate or not, but I see no reason they would make it up. He did add that he had used them in the past, so it wasn't an anti tire brand guy .

Just thought I'd throw this out there.

Having used icex tires in the past on my cars and having also done a lot of research on which tire to go with I disagree with that and I think Michelin would have a bone to pick with that statement as well. They clearly state on their website the full 60k it functions as a winter tire and nothing about it being a duel tread compound tire. No doubt as the tread gets lower it wont work as well but thats the same with every winter tire.

Also Ive found some of these shops will tell you anything to close a sale, if they have a tire in stock they can sell you right away they will feed you whatevee shit they can to close the sale right then and there.

 

[SteveCo]

The response I got was that it is a duel durometer tire, the outer half of the tread is the winter compound, but then the inner half of the tread is an all season compound. So after 20-30 thousand miles it is an all season tire, no longer a winter tire. But it gets better wear so they can give it that tread life warranty .

Perhaps the salesman was thinking of this (taken from the Tire Rack website):

Note: Snow platform indicators (the equivalent of "snow wear bars") are molded into the X-Ice Xi3's tread grooves to inform the driver when ice and snow traction will be reduced as the tire's tread reaches the point where the remaining tread depth becomes less effective in deep snow.

As @NS_Stinger stated, all winter tires will reach a wear point where their efficiency in deep snow is reduced - but Michelin puts wear bars at that depth as a clear indicator, which is a nice thing to have. The winter compound remains the same throughout.

 

[BBB]

Yes, I'd recommend Michelin XIce 225 x 18 on FC04 with +30 offset ...

View attachment 11725

When I bought several weeks back, the best deal I found was in buying the wheels online, the tires from Costco (including their excellent road hazard warranty and relatively inexpensive installation/balance cost), and the TPMS from South Korea (ebay). Several hundred cheaper than purchasing the same from the dealer.

When I had the rims and TPMS in hand, I ordered the tires from Costco and took everything down to them for installation.

How did you initialize the TPMS sensors? Do they automatically initialize or did you have to take your car to the dealership. I'm about ready to purchase through 1010 Tires, but they say if I buy the TPMS sensors through them, that the TPMS sensors may need to be initialized, and since they are shipping me the wheels and tires mounted, I want to make sure that the sensors work.

 

[SteveCo]

How did you initialize the TPMS sensors?

I haven't look at 1010 Tires specifically, but any online vendors I looked at used some form of 'universal' sensor, not the genuine Hyundai/Kia part used in the Stinger - that's why I bought them online and had them shipped from South Korea.

So I can't speak to what the process might be for an aftermarket sensor, but the genuine part has been confirmed by both the dealer and other posters who have them to 'auto connect' once installed. I've been holding off for now on installing my winter set of tires, and will likely not be doing so until around the end of October - provided we ever get out of this current near-freezing lull in the weather ...

 

[K-Rock]

Nice wheels!

Thanks! HOWEVER... PMC has advised me that those wheels do not fit over the Brembo's, so I have switched to the FC04's. PMC has been great.

 

[BBB]

Just a quick thanks to everyone, first timer for winters here and purchased through pmctire.

Fast Wheels FC04 Black wheel | 18X8, 5x114.3, 72.6, 30 offset
Continental - WinterContact SI - P225/45R18 XL 95V BSW

Couldn't bring myself to add TPMS valves, got a few goodies to assist with the change overs instead. Had anyone ran TPMS-less? Wondering if the car goes into granny mode unable to disable traction control..

Cheers guys I've already got tire shine on the winters to match the black shinies

Hey - I just got a price from 1010 Tires here in Vancouver area and was quoted $2124.37 taxes in and installed on the car for Fast FC04 Titanium Rims, 225/45R18XL Conti WinterContact Si, and TPMS Sensors. Good deal, or am I better off going with PMCTire?

 

[SteveCo]

Good deal, or am I better off going with PMCTire?

What number to you get when you price the same on PMCTire?

 

[atomiccow]

I decided to not go with Costco and instead to shop locally with RNJ TIRE in Ajax.
After some checking I ordered a set of Nexen WinGuard Sport 2.
They have a speed rating of V - perfect.
What is even better is they charged me $700.00 for tires, mounting, balancing and installation of the TPMS sensors.
I am thrilled with that price.

RJN' s service even extended to putting one rim on just to satisfy my curiosity whether or not these Fsst Switch rims accommodate the Brembo brakes. Answer is yes they do.
Please see photos attached. I hope they are of interest to prospective Switch rim purchasers.
I will probably get a call tomorrow that they are all mounted and ready for pick-up.
I will pick them up.
It is too early to put them on the car. At least I am ready with the rims and tires.
It seems an easy task to switch winter and summer. I am considering buying a torque wrench, a garage car jack and a light socket to fit.
Anything else that I should consider before venturing down this road?
Your feedback is appreciated.

The correct tireshop name is here:
About Us :: RNJ Tire Discounter
If you in the area, pop in and have a chat. They are very knowledgeable and friendly.

Sounds like a good deal. Did you get your rims through them as well? Could definitely consider getting the same setup for my car. If I'm not mistaken, the Switch comes in the correct hub size right?

 

[MerlintheMad]

I decided to not go with Costco and instead to shop locally

Likewise. I decided to buy Nitto Motivo A/S UHP at Big O, because Costco only carries Bridgestone, BFGoodrich and Michelin; and the Nitto Motivos have the best treadlife warranty and the reviews are better. I like them so far very much; have had them on only c. half a week and they ride quieter and smoother than the Pilot summer tires (OEM) that came on the 19" rims.

 

[BBB]

Likewise. I decided to buy Nitto Motivo A/S UHP at Big O, because Costco only carries Bridgestone, BFGoodrich and Michelin; and the Nitto Motivos have the best treadlife warranty and the reviews are better. I like them so far very much; have had them on only c. half a week and they ride quieter and smoother than the Pilot summer tires (OEM) that came on the 19" rims.

However, the Motivo’s are not at all a good tire for winter. One of the best A/S UHP tire that actually gets the job done in the winter months and is rated top by TireRack is the Conti ExtremeContact DWS06. Still, for most Canadian stingers, I think a Winter Tire is best.

 

[MerlintheMad]

However, the Motivo’s are not at all a good tire for winter.

That's the opposite of what I read. And if it is true, then Nitto (Toyo) is dishonest to say it is an A/S tire. I will go through this coming winter and see for myself. 2" of uncleared snow on our roads is a rare thing anyway. I've driven in much worse, right up to the bottom of my car in fact, and I have gotten stuck on A/S in such extreme conditions: I doubt that even a snow tire would make it through those extremes. But that's not the end of the world. My MO is to dig myself out and wait for the roads to be cleared.

I'm a little leary about the Stinger as a "winter mobile" in the first place. But Kia's tests in the extreme conditions of the Baltic tell me that this car is not designed to fail as a daily driver in the winter. Good tires are a must. And I am used to driving on A/S anyway. So, we'll see.

 

[Ucinn]

Nitto Motivo Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

 

[BBB]

Nitto Motivo Tire Reviews - Consumer Reports

 

[Waynerm002]

Winter tires are always the best way to go in winter. I used them on my RWD BMW and never had an issue. Went through 2 major snow storms with it and it was like driving in the summer.

 

[Vince_Fazerman]

Just bought the RTX ENVY's from PMC Tire for $834 tax in, ordered the TPMS from Korea for $122 tax in on Amazon and then saw someone got it for $100. Costco has the best price on the Michelin X Ice tires, but they aren't on sale. I'll wait and keep checking until the TPMS are here, but I'm not expecting a sale now. Costco is good for the installation and service and I'll do my own changes here. Thanks for the info Steve! It definitely saved me a couple hundred and got me nicer rims than Costco had on offer.

Don't want to make you sick, but I actually tried these on my Stinger and they DON'T fit over the front Brembo's...

 

[SteveCo]

I changed over to my winter set tonight.

I was planning on waiting until at least the end of October, but there's a heavy snowfall happening in Calgary (most unusual for the beginning of October), and the 14 day forecast shows a continuation of well below seasonal temperatures. The PS4s aren't much of a tire at close to freezing temps anyway, so I decided not to try and hold out.

By the way, I decided this was a good opportunity to check the weights - for the curious the OEM 19" wheels and PS4 tires weigh about 55 lbs front and 59 lbs rear. The 18" Fast FC04 wheels and XIce3 tire combination I'm using for the winter set are about 43 lbs each - considerably lighter!

 

[Waynerm002]

With all the rain we have been getting and how weird the weather has been, I'm thinking of switching tires sooner rather than later. We have had more snow the last few years but it's not every day just a lot when it happens.

 

[Vince_Fazerman]

Has anyone tried the FC04 with the +40 offset?

I'm not really into pushing the tires any outwards and have them throw rocks at the fenders and doors.