ZeroGravity

I am using my winter tires with steel rims now. And I've noticed that the clearcoat (or that plastic film) on my rims have sections of it which came off... Does anyone know what is the proper "do-it-yourself" way of putting that clearcoat back on? Is it the same kind of clearcoat I put on the paint?

YVR_98Prelude

There is a coating of some sort on the wheels but I'm not sure what you could use to replicate what's there.
However, I'm looking at buying snow tires next fall for skiing and will also be getting steel rims. Are you using 16" or 15" steels? I've seen a couple of 5th gens here in with 16" steels which appear to be the same style used on the CRVs. Where did you get your steels and which winter/snow tires did you get?

ZeroGravity

I went down to 15inch... I believe the tire size is 195/65/R15 (or was it 195/60/R15). I have the Dunlop Graspic DS-1. I wanted to get the Michelin Arctic Alpine instead, but they were already sold out by the time I got around buying my tires.

The reviews on www.tirerack.com said the Graspics are better on thick snow, but the Arctic Alpines are good for more icy conditions. For city driving, I think icy conditions is more applicable.

I haven't tired other winter tires before, but I think the Dunlop Graspics are pretty good. When I first got it last year, I drove to Toronto on 401 and I was going 130 - 140 with snow on the ground. That's the same speed I go during summer. I didn't slow down until I saw a couple of SUVs in the ditch near Kingston.

Oh, the Dunlop Graspic DS-1 only has a speed rating of Q. But I think the Alpine has a H speed rating.