Snowshoes

[GRStinger]

If you don’t want to buy tools, you can always just use the jack and lug wrench that comes with the car. Do one wheel at a time. It’s super easy to do in the comfort of your own garage. I’ve been swapping the winter/summer tires on my Ford Edge this way for 5 years. It’s a bit slower process using the cars tire jack, but it’s free. The only tool I would recommend investing in is a torque wrench for applying the proper amount of torque on the lug nuts.

Yup, I used to do that for rotations etc., but it doesn't cost that much to get proper tools, and it's not expensive. I already had some of the needed tools - floor-jack and stands; bought some others for the recent change. I got most of my stuff from Harbor Freight. They are not the best tools - not going to debate that; they're not commercial grade and there are better DIY tools out there like Craftsman, but they work fine for occasional jobs Anyway, here's what you need / what I paid for tools to do the job:
Floor jack - $100
Jack stands - $25
1/2" Electric/corded impact wrench - $50 (it works surprisingly well)
1/2" Impact-quality lug socket/adapter - $10 (they're 21mm on my 18's)
Torque wrench: $30
I also paid a couple $ for a little nylon pry tool to pop off the plastic hub covers, but if you put a little duct or painter's tape on a flat head screw-driver, that'll work fine.
So, you're about $225 all-in. (plus all this stuff obviously comes in handy for other projects) I've heard most shops will charge you $100+ just for the swap/mount. Plus you need to haul your wheels/tires there and back, make and sit through the appointment, etc. (There are places that will store/swap. Hard to find, and they charge $150-200/year.) So I figure the payback is about 1 year for the investment. It's more convenient - you can swap 'em whenever you want. Plus you get the satisfaction that the job was done right. If you're a semi-competent DIYer, it's easy. First time for me took only a 1/2 hour to do the actually swap (but probably another hour+ to unpack the new wheels/tires, retrieve and set up my tools, and clean up - you know how that goes.) Personally, well worth it.

 

[Tyler Kopf]

Has anyone installed anything from RTX wheels in an 18” wheel as a winter setup?

The FC 04’s are out of stock pretty much everywhere and I’m running out of time.

 

[Bonzai]

First timer here all good except I accidentally left a jack stand in the wrong place and lowered the jack too far. It comes down pretty quick and not much control on my elcheapo jack! Some minor damage to the side skirt guess i was too excited to practice using the lift..arrg!

Anyway very happy with the FC04 watch out for jack stands people LOL

 

[BBB]

Has anyone installed anything from RTX wheels in an 18” wheel as a winter setup?

The FC 04’s are out of stock pretty much everywhere and I’m running out of time.

I too was in the same boat with the 18x8 FC04s; back ordered until mid Dec. I ended up going with the FC04 18x9. Those were in stock in Calgary, shipped to Vancouver. A little wider, but fits good. I’m running the Conti WinterContact Si. On dry/wet road, the tire is a bit noisey, but I think this can be expected of a winter tire with an aggressive tread. Can’t wait to get the summers back on!

 

[BIGRED]

My dealer in Montreal stores my summer wheels for free!

 

[Bonzai]

Liking the new look conti si's feel great too

 

[Vince_Fazerman]

Has anyone installed anything from RTX wheels in an 18” wheel as a winter setup?

The FC 04’s are out of stock pretty much everywhere and I’m running out of time.

I've tried the Envy and Compass models, and neither would fit; both would contact the front brake calipers. An RTX rep told my garage that the Vex model would probably fit, but I didn't want to go with a 8,5 inch wide rim, and neither in flat black. Next model I was going to try was the Vertex, which I think would maybe fit. But I just went on RTX's website and they don't even list de Stinger anymore, so I guess they realised they had nothing that would fit that car.

DAI also has the Prime wheel, which they say could fit the Stinger. DAI reseller are pretty easy to find anywhere so that's something you could look for. I haven't seen those on any Stinger yet, so can't confirm they fit.

My Kia dealer finally got his hands on my set of black FC04 so that's what's on my Stinger right now.

 

[Vince_Fazerman]

I think this as already been stated, but I chose to buy Fast's 18" FC04 wheels in black, with the +40 offset. They DO fit over the front Brembos. I ceramic coated them for more protection.

I also ordered OEM TPMS from eBay, shipped directly from South Korea. 106 Can$ for the 4 of 'em and they arrived within two weeks. They were packed in Hyundai/Genesis branded boxes, but part number was right. The TPMS themselves were sealed in bags with OEM holograms on them, no doubt they were OEM. I put them on and even forgot for a few days I had new TPMS since there was no warning from the car. A few days later I recalled and checked and the computer showed tires actual pressure.

As for tires, I wanted to have the best possible overall grip since I do drive weekly on tortuous montain roads that are constantly covered with ice and/or several inches of snow. I went with Nokian's Hakkapellitta 9, studded. At first they were awfully loud on dry pavement, and the fastest the worst. But after a few hundred miles they are now a little more quiet (or should I say less loud...) I expected that from studded tires but was still suprised by how loud they were. I also noticed a bit less precise of a steering feel, which I also expected since those tire have soft sidewalls. But now that I've tried them on ice/deep snow/slush, I wouldn't buy anything else. The only thing I would change, had I known, is I would buy 234/45R18 instead of 225/45R18, just because with the 225, the wheel is slightly wider than the tire, hence not protecting the wheel.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Winter tire update:
I'm loving my IceX tires. I've had zero traction issues in full snow covered roads and even no issues when stopping and restarting on very steep snow covered hills. One negative is the ease as which I can break these skinny tires free on damp pavement, this morning under moderate throttle in sport mode I nearly had the car in a full awd drift when merging onto a highway from a stop sign. I wasn't expecting it to break traction like that... but it was fun haha

 

[GRStinger]

Winter tire update:
I'm loving my IceX tires. I've had zero traction issues in full snow covered roads and even no issues when stopping and restarting on very steep snow covered hills. One negative is the ease as which I can break these skinny tires free on damp pavement, this morning under moderate throttle in sport mode I nearly had the car in a full awd drift when merging onto a highway from a stop sign. I wasn't expecting it to break traction like that... but it was fun haha

I have the Ice X's and have had the same experience. They've been great on snow/ice so far, and I also noticed you can zing 'em pretty easily on wet pavement. Yup, it's fun and I've been tempted to do it more, but I don't want to have to replace my winter tires half-way thru their first winter!

 

[JP's_Stinger]

My dealer in Montreal stores my summer wheels for free!

Same for mine in Quebec City! We get good service, here in QC

 

[JP's_Stinger]

I'm running FC04 18x8 30 offset with Toyo Observe GSI 6HP 225/45/18 square and it's very good. Excellent traction on both snow and ice (we sure do have A LOT of it where I live. 125cm (50 inches) of snow already!! Add the sleet and black ice...it's already an intense winter). They're not noisy on pavement. Pretty decent grip on pavement when cornering hard (for a winter tire). These tire will last for a least 4 winter, probably 5. They're a very good choice for Quebec City's harsh winters.

 

[TwiceStung]

I can officially now report on the Nokian WRG4 tires on a 2.0 RWD. After our 13-14” of snow compacted down to about 4-6” of glacial ice and snow here in western NC, I backed the Stinger out of the garage for its first taste of snow. I felt it sink through the permafrost and wondered. However, it went right up the driveway hill (about a 15-20 deg grade) with zero issues. Very impressed with these tires. I was basically driving on slushy/packed snow and ice a few inches thick. Now I can be more confident in future snows, of which we get maybe 2 or 3 a year, plus these tires run great year round. Heh, who needs AWD?

 

[Crisis]

Glad the WRG4s worked well for you. I ran their predecessor WRG3s for a few years up here and found them a huge improvement over all-season tires. Not as good in the cold and snow as pure winter tires (I'm running the Nokian R3) but more than adequate for your climate. I'm a big fan of Nokian tires for winter.

 

[Stephen Brubaker]

Good morning. I too have bought a set of winter wheels and tires from TR. Got them with TPWS sensors. Reading the owners manual it states that when putting on different sensors that they have to be initialized. How does one do this since the owners manual says to take it to a KIA dealer. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[NS_Stinger]

The sensors i got with my wheels just worked automatically after i installed the wheels. I have to drive maybe 2miles before the car recognized the sensors.

 

[TwiceStung]

Had mine mounted at Tire Rack where I got the rims. Gave them the tires and TPMS sensors and they did the rest.

 

[Jayellem]

Hey Silverghost - new to the blog and getting into the Stinger world - how did that package work for you?

 

[Silverghost]

Hey Silverghost - new to the blog and getting into the Stinger world - how did that package work for you?

Working just fine. No problems at all. I would recommend this setup.

 

[Jayellem]

Thanks - too many choices for tires! You figured those Nexen are good value compared to the Xice, Conti, and Toyo?