The Winter's Coming Winter Tires Thread

[Ironhorse]

Vibration at speed is almost always a tire/wheel balancing issue. If it's happening on your summers, just take them in once your winters are on.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

Hmmm - didn't realize you needed to put them in a bag as well. I've never done that either and don't seem to have any issues with longevity.

I guess I wonder how storing tires seem to have all these rules, but when they are on your car I'm sure they are subjected to much more abuse. I'm having a hard time believing my tires that are just sitting uncovered in my garage are going to have issues versus ones that are stored in a bag. Maybe I'm just out to lunch on this...

I keep mine in my garage. I think he most important part is direct sunlight. It breaks down rubber compounds over time. I think if they are out in the elements in the freeze thaw and direct sunlight without moving for months in end it isn't helpful to the rubber compound.

Really if you have them in a sheltered garage out of direct light and elements I would think you would be fine. If not just throwing a tarp over them would help too.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I'm having a hard time believing my tires that are just sitting uncovered in my garage are going to have issues versus ones that are stored in a bag. Maybe I'm just out to lunch on this...

Oxygen breaks down rubber (and just about everything else) storing the tires in a bag slows down this process. Will you notice the difference? If you wear out the tires in 4-5 years doubtful.

Speaking of "winter is coming" this is the warmest November I can recall or is it just me?

[Fuzz]

The 1997 El Nino fall was warmer. It didn't rain or snow through October and November. I think we were still playing field sports in early December.

[Jimmy Stang]

I just put my winters on both cars in the past couple of days. But the forecast really had me tempted to procrastinate further.

This prompted me to have a browse through the historical weather at Weatherspark.com, and 1997 was indeed similar to this. One interesting twist that sums up Calgary in a nutshell though:

On December 31st, 1997, we had a daytime high of +13 degrees, and then it cooled to -18 by the end of January 1st, and it hit -31 by the end of January 2nd. And then it didn't even go above -19 until January 13th.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I just put my winters on both cars in the past couple of days. But the forecast really had me tempted to procrastinate further.

This prompted me to have a browse through the historical weather at Weatherspark.com, and 1997 was indeed similar to this. One interesting twist that sums up Calgary in a nutshell though:

On December 31st, 1997, we had a daytime high of +13 degrees, and then it cooled to -18 by the end of January 1st, and it hit -31 by the end of January 2nd. And then it didn't even go above -19 until January 13th.

Winter Tires really come into their own at +7 and below (IIRC). Some people think they need to wait till -20 (not saying you per se).

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Winter Tires really come into their own at +7 and below (IIRC). Some people think they need to wait till -20 (not saying you per se).

Absolutely right. I probably could have put them on sooner without any downsides, and probably some benefits as well. Usually my hand is forced much earlier than this because of an early cold snap. While we've had a little snow, the temperatures have kept everything pretty tame thus far.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by NSFL

I went online to ask for a quote and they never got back to me. So a month later I just called. I talked to him and he said that they're so overwhelmed with online quotes that they can't keep up. Just call them. You can ask him to pull up your info when you call by telling him when you emailed.

Another +1 for UrbanX
Good people.

[photon]

Mind-winter bump.

Picking up a Civic on tuesday that has all-seasons on it. It'll be my wife's daily driver so don't need fancy, but still want decent tires.

UrbanX seems like the place to go to? Also seems like trying to find something off Kijiji is probably not worth the hassle? What brand is good, I like my Nokians but don't want to spend that much probably.

I hate the look of steel wheels I guess I could put the winters on the current wheels and then look for something else in the spring.

[CRXguy]

What year Civic? I've dealt only with the North location but any 3 locations will take good care of you.

I've had Hankook's and Toyo. Hankook are well priced and they last a long time and our family does a lot of driving.

I had steel wheels on my Civic and hated the look. The stock Si wheels are mounted on winters now and I'll find something nicer for the summer. You can find decent alloys on Kijiji every now and then.

[photon]

2010 Civic EX-L

I wanted to get an LX that was a bit newer, but my wife saw this one with the leather and sunroof and that was that lol.

So 205 55R16s and 6.5Jx16 ET46 wheels and 5x114.3 from what I see.

[ken0042]

You can get decent winter alloy rims for around $125 now. As for tires we have x-ice on our civic, and Hankook ipike tires on the SUV. The hankooks are better for plowing through snow,and the x-ice are better on ice.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by photon

Mind-winter bump.

Picking up a Civic on tuesday that has all-seasons on it. It'll be my wife's daily driver so don't need fancy, but still want decent tires.

UrbanX seems like the place to go to? Also seems like trying to find something off Kijiji is probably not worth the hassle? What brand is good, I like my Nokians but don't want to spend that much probably.

I hate the look of steel wheels I guess I could put the winters on the current wheels and then look for something else in the spring.

I bought Federal Himalayas winters from UrbanX. They were recommend by them as a really good value for a winter tire (good performance without the name) and have been really good so far.

I also bought some Volvo R-design knock-offs through them. They look like the OEM wheels, but of course a lot cheaper (they were basically the same price as ugly steel wheels from the dealership). In Canada, we have winter tires on our cars for so long anyway, who wants to be staring at ugly steelies for a 1/3rd of the year?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by photon

UrbanX seems like the place to go to? Also seems like trying to find something off Kijiji is probably not worth the hassle? What brand is good, I like my Nokians but don't want to spend that much probably.

UrbanX is the way to go.

I'm a big fan of Continental winter tires and had my mind set on them before going to talk to them.

If I had to do it again, I'd take their word for what would work best.

[Madman]

Soooo....too soon?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Madman

Soooo....too soon?

Way too soon. With our snowiest month still ahead of us, only a Madman would consider this.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Way too soon. With our snowiest month still ahead of us, only a Madman would consider this.

I know, I just had to ask to show my brain that it was silly to even consider the fact.

[codynw]

I'm gonna need to buy new all season tires pretty much as soon as I take my winters off. I'm in no rush.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by Madman

Soooo....too soon?

i washed my rig yesterday at home and had the exact same thought

[GreenLantern]

Anyone shopping for summer tires right now? My wife needs a new set on her Mazda 3 as soon as the Winters come off and I've started looking around. Haven't had to buy a new set of tires in a while besides for my truck, and that sale was running all summer long. Is there a specific time they usually come on sale?