Winter Rim Setups

[Christopher A Herman]

Hello Christopher, I am considering a similar setup from tire rack. They are trying to sell me an expensive TPMS tool to initialize the new wheel sensors to the car. Did you find it necessary to initialize the sensors with a special tool? How did you handle the issue ?

I can't say if there is a programming process to synch new TPMS's from Tire Rack to your car since I dropped my already-mounted wheel/tire set off for the dealer to install the day before I took delivery since it was snowy and in the single digits (see profile photo). If it was me, I would just put the new wheels/tires on the car when it's time and see if they synch up. If not, take it to a local shop and ask them to synch them. The good news is, once they are synch'd, you never have to do it again. I swapped between my winter wheel/tire set and my summer (OEM) set in April and the car recognized them fine.

 

[RLittle]

There is no manual sync process.
Just put them in the tire mount and drive.

 

[SteveCo]

TPMS use one of two frequencies - 315 Mhz or 433 Mhz. If a supplier is using a 'universal' TPMS it's important that you have the right one - the correct one should automatically sync to the car. I bought the OEM Kia/Hyundai TPMS sensors for my winter set from a vendor in Korea (at a fraction of the price the dealer wanted), and zero user intervention is required - each set simply syncs to the car when I change the rubber over in the Spring and Fall.

I find it hard to believe that Tire Rack would suggest selling you an expensive tool for 'sync' - they would know the appropriate frequency and sensors required for any car they are selling tires for. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding, and you should verify this with them again ...

 

[Silvermanor]

Is everyone going 18" here? Nobody stuck with 19s?

 

[Capecod]

Is everyone going 18" here? Nobody stuck with 19s?

I want 18 just for winter, the roads around here in the winter get really beat and I worry about 19's with the lower profile getting trashed

 

[MerlintheMad]

Is everyone going 18" here? Nobody stuck with 19s?

I kept my OE GT 19" rims for winter with A/S tires. Half an inch in sidewall height isn't going to save you with 18s, imho and experience.

 

[AviatikD1]

Was thinking after Snowmageddon last year in Seattle of going the used OEM route (bottom photo w/ Optima 18s) or steel rims and knock-offs ala Lister Jag retro look. Both would be easy to maintain and keep clean in the snow and wet here.

 

[Silvermanor]

Was thinking after Snowmageddon last year in Seattle of going the used OEM route (bottom photo w/ Optima 18s) or steel rims and knock-offs ala Lister Jag retro look. Both would be easy to maintain and keep clean in the snow and wet here.

View attachment 30624 View attachment 30625

Definitely get those steel rims.

 

[Capecod]

I kept my OE GT 19" rims for winter with A/S tires. Half an inch in sidewall height isn't going to save you with 18s, imho and experience.

In my experience a 1/2 an inch can be the difference between ooh and aah!

 

[Stouder]

Bought some 225/45r18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires to put on the stock rims for my winter setup on my awd gt2....$500 slightly used, still have 10/32 tread depth

 

[Gtecko]

Was looking at those compare to the Antaras grip 60 and I see that the Blizzak are rated H for speed, no issue there ?

This is what I put on my '19 GT1 AWD upon delivery in January. The wheels are +40mm offset. I was very happy with the combination in a fairly snowy winter. I went with Blizzaks since I had them on my '03 WRX through at least ten winters and they performed great. I think any of the flowformed Enkei's are a great value--lightweight and don't break the bank. It looks like the Blizzak WS80's are on a closeout sale at Tirerack for $144 each.

TIRE & WHEEL PACKAGES

Availability: In Stock

ENKEI TUNING
TFR

• 18x8
• Finish: Gunmetal Painted

Qty
Price Each
Item(s) Total
For 2019 Kia Stinger GT AWD
$224.91
$899.64

TPMS Kit (Per Wheel)
4
$51.00
$204.00
Optional Chrome Metal Valve
4
$3.99
....

Included Hardware
4 Required centering ring , 1 Lug installation tool , 20 Required lugnut for vehicle (nickel plated)

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Availability: In Stock

Can be delivered Wed, 09/04

BRIDGESTONE
BLIZZAK WS80

• 225/45R18
• Style: Blackwall
• Load Range: XL
• Serv. Desc: 95H1,521 lbs (690 kg) per tire
  Speed Rating “H”= 130 mph (210 kph)"

Qty
Price Each
Item(s) Total
For 2019 Kia Stinger GT AWD
$205.36

$143.81Special/Closeout
$575.24
Includes Free Road Hazard Protection ($55.72 value. Two-year coverage.)
Special Offer: Buy a set of four (4) and receive an $80 Prepaid Mastercard Card by mail.

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Hunter Road Force™ Mounting and Balancing included free of charge with your Tire & Wheel Package. Read More>
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Sub-Total:
$1,678.88

 

[Gtecko]

another question for the group, looking at the Antares Grip 60 , should I pass because they are Load Index 97 and speed T ... on the lower side but I see some of you bought H speed ... thanks for the input

 

[MerlintheMad]

another question for the group, looking at the Antares Grip 60 , should I pass because they are Load Index 97 and speed T ... on the lower side but I see some of you bought H speed ... thanks for the input

I opted for the Nitto Motivo UHP A/S for the simple reason they are "Y" rated. I have the option to push the tires as fast as I can and the question of "too fast"? never comes up. In the winter this is not an issue because opportunities to go fast are even more limited than in the summer. But if I ever go A/S all the way (year-round) at least I know that this tire is far more capable of higher speeds than the GT will ever go. The safety margin appeals to me greatly.

 

[Gtecko]

we get a LOT of snow here in the winter so there is no way we could go with A/S otherwise I would have taken something similar than your pick.

I think I could still be good with T rated winter tires, just curious if anyone has any feedback on that topic

 

[Capecod]

Just ordered these from Tire Rack for my winter setup, the rep said 40mm would be best for winter.





View attachment 30436

Received my new winter wheels last week, while rolling one into the garage my wife came out with our dog..I stopped to pat him and the wheel fell over on its face! couple nice scratches on 2 spokes, here's a picture just before I f'd up .

 

[westcoastGT]

Received my new winter wheels last week, while rolling one into the garage my wife came out with our dog..I stopped to pat him and the wheel fell over on its face! couple nice scratches on 2 spokes, here's a picture just before I f'd up .

View attachment 31169

can the scratches be buffed out ?? or touched up ,

 

[Capecod]

can the scratches be buffed out ?? or touched up ,

I hope so, I'm going to try buffing and use black wax after, to make it worse they're directional tires and is one of the drivers side ones so I get to see it every time I get in the car.. ha ha

 

[westcoastGT]

I hope so, I'm going to try buffing and use black wax after, to make it worse they're directional tires and is one of the drivers side ones so I get to see it every time I get in the car.. ha ha

try wet sanding with 2000 grit , or repaint it ? stuff like this would really bug me too ! good luck !

 

[westcoastGT]

Was thinking after Snowmageddon last year in Seattle of going the used OEM route (bottom photo w/ Optima 18s) or steel rims and knock-offs ala Lister Jag retro look. Both would be easy to maintain and keep clean in the snow and wet here.

View attachment 30624 View attachment 30625

why not get a cheap set of standard wheels and put wheel covers on them , google wheels covers and see the range and styles available , cheap and cheerful !

 

[Gtecko]

what is the tire brand ? 225/45/18 ?