Let's Talk Tires

[frennzy]

I have had my GT2 since February. It has the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires like I imagine most people have.

I have the RWD car, which I bought because it's more fun...and damn the fact that I live in Colorado. Well, those PS4 tires turn to marbles when the road is cold and wet. (I had to commute 20 miles each way when it was 41 F, and raining heavily a couple of months ago...and it was *squirrely*. I had to feather the throttle with a lot of care to keep things from getting away from me. A few weeks later, it was 50+ and raining just as hard, and things were much, much better. Some quick research reveals that this is expected behavior.

So...the plan is to get some winter tires to swap out in spring and fall. Anybody else doing this? Do you have a particular brand/make of tire that you recommend? (These are the 19" wheels, of course). I've been looking at TireRack, but I'd appreciate anyone's advice that is more familiar with this.

Bonus question: Do you have a place that will store and swap your tires from your regular rims, or did you get a second set of rims and tires, and swap the whole set? Drawbacks/advantages to either method?

thanks for any advice.

 

[Crisis]

I've had very good experiences with both the Michelin X-ice tires and the Nokian Hakkapaliitta tires, though the manager of the Kia dealership here was running 19" Pirelli Sottozeros on his Stinger demo this past winter. I plan on getting a rim and tire package for myself in the fall. I may well drop to 18" wheels for the winter, though, as I find there is a better selection of 18" rubber and they are generally less expensive. Plus, I don't think you're really sacrificing any winter performance dropping one size.

As for whether or not to buy winter rims or just have them put winter tires onto your existing rims, it depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. It's far more expensive to get the set of tires re-mounted twice a year than to simply have them install a new set of tires already mounted on rims. If you are going to have your car for 3 years or more, you are probably further ahead financially to buy winter rims and do it that way.

I plan to buy mine locally and have the shop store them, as they will then mount and balance them for free each time they get swapped. Even if I store them at home, they'll still do the twice-yearly swap and balance for free.

 

[Grayt 8]

I've had very good experiences with both the Michelin X-ice tires and the Nokian Hakkapaliitta tires, though the manager of the Kia dealership here was running 19" Pirelli Sottozeros on his Stinger demo this past winter. I plan on getting a rim and tire package for myself in the fall. I may well drop to 18" wheels for the winter, though, as I find there is a better selection of 18" rubber and they are generally less expensive. Plus, I don't think you're really sacrificing any winter performance dropping one size.

As for whether or not to buy winter rims or just have them put winter tires onto your existing rims, it depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. It's far more expensive to get the set of tires re-mounted twice a year than to simply have them install a new set of tires already mounted on rims. If you are going to have your car for 3 years or more, you are probably further ahead financially to buy winter rims and do it that way.

I plan to buy mine locally and have the shop store them, as they will then mount and balance them for free each time they get swapped. Even if I store them at home, they'll still do the twice-yearly swap and balance for free.

That's a good summary. The 18 inch wheels should be able to survive a bit better without getting bent, too. One other drawback of an extra set of wheels is either buying an additional set of TPMS sensors or putting up with warnings about TPMS malfunctions during winter months.

 

[bumble bee]

frennzy, You ever introduce yourself ?? Well i never meet you hello buddy welcome to the forms.

bumble

 

[1RADKIA]

Frennzy: I’ve had excellent luck with Continental Extreme Contact DWS. (Dry/Wet/Snow). This is an all season tire and I’ve used it in all seasons on my Toyota MR2 Spyder, and on my Infiniti G35 6MT. I do not know if they make one that fits the Stinger... but once I wear out these Michelin PS’ on my GT2 - they’re gone - done - hasta la vista! For the money, I would NOT of purchased Michelin PS... as I find lots of options with much better specs. db


Just did a quick check on America’s Tire web site. The extreme contact DWS IS available for a GT2 AWD.

 

[eflyguy]

The PS4 is not designed for use under 40ºF, and is not to be stored at temps below freezing. The tire has to be carefully, and slowly raised up to 40º if it's been allowed to get that cold, and they specifically warn against *any* type of flexing until it's been above 40º for 24hrs.

This isn't a "so you get max performance" warning, but a "the tire can fail" warning..

 

[frennzy]

frennzy, You ever introduce yourself ?? Well i never meet you hello buddy welcome to the forms.

bumble

I sure did, but haven't been around much since then...I think my last foray here was about the front license plate mount (got one based on a recommendation here that works great in the tow hook socket).

As for everyone else, thanks so much for the recommendations. I do plan on keeping this car for a looong time. I'm on lease, but the deal was too good to pass up, and the residual is low enough to be a no-brainer to buyout at the end. Probably around year 5-7, if they indeed look like they may appreciate, it'll go under a cover and sit in my garage, taken out only to refresh fluids and stretch the legs (and make sure gaskets still work). I'll probably buy an electric at that point.

Also, very good points about rims being a more long-term effective solution, cost wise...but the TPMS sensor issue bothers me. I'm going to talk to my local rubber shop and see if they have a store and swap plan...I have a hard time believing they don't, given the increasing number of higher end cars in my neck of the woods.

On other question for those switching rubber to your original rims...are you worried about scarring/damage with swapping that often?

 

[frennzy]

The PS4 is not designed for use under 40ºF, and is not to be stored at temps below freezing. The tire has to be carefully, and slowly raised up to 40º if it's been allowed to get that cold, and they specifically warn against *any* type of flexing until it's been above 40º for 24hrs.

This isn't a "so you get max performance" warning, but a "the tire can fail" warning..

That would have been a "nice to know" from the dealer. I thought I read every single page of all the various manuals and don't recall that. I guess I was *very* lucky then. I wasn't kidding when I said it was 41F each way. I also wasn't kidding when describing how absolutely squirrely it was. I grew up driving with RWD on snowpack, ice, slush, deep snow, in suboptimal vehicles...so I knew how to react...but that much power on tires not designed for the temps...is basically terrifying.

Luckily, my garage typically stays warmer than that, but I do keep a heater in there anyway, because it *can* on occasion (when it drops to -10F and below outside, which happens a few times per year).

 

[1RADKIA]

A reputable shop with qualified techs can change tires with NO damage to your rims.
When I ran my DWS Conti’s... no seasonal tire swap required! I only replaced with the same tire once worn out. All season served just that. My only negative on the DWS was that I didn’t get the FULL expected tire wear (missed by a couple thousand miles). Likely my doing as I am a little more aggressive than necessary, and don’t leave rubber on the rims if I feel they pose ANY risk. Tires are the final line between the car and the street! db

PS. Driving conditions.
A few occasions of snow/ice per season (2-4”).
~ a dozen instances of rain/heavy rain per season.
Dry pavement and gravel most often.

 

[bumble bee]

sorry will hi again....Im not worried about tires yet.

 

[A Member Who Left]

Got these rims at Discount Tire for $96 each plus a $100 rebate. Liquid metal instinct. Ceramic coated them this week. Waiting on the tires but might go with Goodyear Weather Ready.

 

[bumble bee]

Digital,
Man some sweet slippers on that ride man. looking good!!!!

 

[SteveCo]

Also, very good points about rims being a more long-term effective solution, cost wise...but the TPMS sensor issue bothers me.

Not to worry - you can get a full set of 4 on Ebay from S. Korea for a little over a hundred bucks (genuine, correct Hyundai part number). They automatically 'learn' to the car when installed, so no re-programming or setup is required.

I purchased a nice set of 18" rims from an online supplier, got the TPMS from Ebay, then when everything was in took the lot down to Costco and had a set of Michelin XIce3 rubber installed. Saved close to 700 dollars from what the dealer wanted for exactly the same stuff, have the excellent Costco road hazard warranty, and now I'm all set. Bring on the snow! ... Just not yet ...

 

[bumble bee]

Nice setup Steve I remeber that pic.

 

[frennzy]

Thanks Steve...I assume that's your own garage. I like that storage rack...I could make something like that work here. Those rims look great...any concerns about speedo/odo...or is there a setting you can swap out for wheel size? (alternately, did you just get taller tires to make up for it? It looks like you may have)

 

[Grayt 8]

Got these rims at Discount Tire for $96 each plus a $100 rebate. Liquid metal instinct. Ceramic coated them this week. Waiting on the tires but might go with Goodyear Weather Ready.

View attachment 9196

Are those 18 inch wheels? They look nice. Do you have a GT or non-GT Stinger?

 

[SteveCo]

Thanks Steve...I assume that's your own garage. I like that storage rack...I could make something like that work here. Those rims look great...any concerns about speedo/odo...or is there a setting you can swap out for wheel size? (alternately, did you just get taller tires to make up for it? It looks like you may have)

Yes, the different sidewall/profile of the tires (225/45 R18) compensates for the rim change - the circumference is within a tenth or two (of an inch) of that on the stock 19's, so no issue with the speedometer at all. Bought the tire rack on sale for 29 dollars - smoking deal!

 

[eflyguy]

Well, his sig. says GT Limited AWD, the tires say 225/45R18, so I'd guess the overall diameter is the same.

 

[eflyguy]

Bought the tire rack on sale for 29 dollars - smoking deal!

Is that rack really just hanging on the pegboard??

Edit - I think I see two screws on the left that hopefully go into something more substantial! lol...

 

[A Member Who Left]

I have a base silky silver model with 18” wheels.