OK but the advantage for going to steelies is to get narrower tires right? What I want to know is if there would be any sort of damage or adverse effects on my rims if I have them on in the snow. Common sense tells me that there shouldn't be any bad effects on the rims just cause they get icy, but I could be wrong.
And I'm leaning towards 215/45 just because they'll be better for the other 3 seasons, but then again the 205s I'm on right now are decent. Decisions, decisions.
Yea the salt, thats what i was going to say. Eats the clear of the rims. And they salt the area real bad around our way. Get Some steelies bro, and protect the bling.
True snow/winter tires are vastly superior to all seasons in snow and ice conditions. However, it does not snow very often in No.VA. They get only maybe 2 or 3 significant snow events per year on avg. So based on the frequency of the snows, I would say that for you, snow tires are overkill. Additionally, because VA does not normally get a whole lot of snow, people down there really seem to freak out when it happens. For example, last winter, DC had a 6" snow storm, and they literally shut the city down for the day.
So I don't think Snow tires would be worth it for you. I would recommend all-seasons. Just take it easy and learn your limits as a driver if it snows.
Andrew
__________________
2007 MINI Pooper S
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE
2000 Honda S2000
1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R
Last edited by aklucsarits; 10-07-2004 at 01:44 PM.
Ah my friend, he lives on the outskirts of DC and trust me when it snows.... it really snows. So its better to be safe then sorry IMO. Thats why its snow tires on my hatchbacks steelies this year. I hope i get a good amount so i can test em out.
OK so salt + rim = bad. Is there anything I can do to protect the rim surface? Even if it did snow, my round trip commute is < 15 miles a day, so would it be OK to drive through it and wipe them down every day instead of switch them out completely?
Its def. not prelude driving friendly. But **** you probably have to fight with bears where your from. haha
Well what they say is before it snows its good to wax your car so theres a layer of wax that can be eaten by the salt, i guess you could try that with your rims i guess.
OK so salt + rim = bad. Is there anything I can do to protect the rim surface? Even if it did snow, my round trip commute is < 15 miles a day, so would it be OK to drive through it and wipe them down every day instead of switch them out completely?
If you hose down the wheels and undercarriage regularly, you can pretty much ward off all the salt-related wear. I'd be more worried about rolling through all the snow thats been collecting road debris - its a chance you take. If you can use other rims, do it. Better safe than sorry. But the winters are not bad around here - we only get a few big snows each year and most likely your rims will be fine. I bought my lude last october, drove it all winter with approx 20 mi round trip drive to a park-and-ride every day. Everything still looks new underneath and the wheels didn't get beat up either. Only damage I got was hood chips from the county putting a salt truck on Rt 50 at 6:30am in the middle of the morning rush . . .
I've heard it can start as soon as November. Of course these same people are also convinced that my car will become a snow plow this winter.
Ordered the Pirelli's today, probably gonna have them installed later this month. I should be OK to drive in light snow, and I'll just stay home if it gets heavy.
The snow wasn't too bad in NoVA last winter, but my yoko es100s hated every minute of it. Unfortunately I still have to go to work even when everything else is closed and last year I was able to drive my girlfriend's blazer a lot, but not this year. I am still trying to decide if I should just buy some crappy used tires to mount up for winter.
I personally agree with Andrew. The frequency that you will see snow or ice will no be enough to justify running around on snow tires. If you go out in the snow, just take it easy and slow. If you hit a patch of black ice, nothing short of studded tires will help you anyways. Just hit the brakes and activate the ABS.
I will be putting some all season tires on my stock rims for the winter. And I should be seeing more snow in PA than you in VA.
__________________ Paul
2009 Mazdaspeed3 | 1995 Miata | 1999 Crystal Blue Base - bought 6/13/02, sold 3/11/09
^^^ Awesome thanks for the input, that's what I was hoping to find out.
So I guess I'll be buying some all season Pirelli's in 215 next week, and taking my car to the car wash regularly to clean off that undercarriage.
When does snow season start? I want to make sure I get a good coat of wax on before the weather heads south.
Wax it NOW! Now is the best time before the temperature gets so cold that the water and soap freeze onto your car....also, don't plan on washing it too often in the cold weather...you could actually do MORE damage than good, since it will freeze as soon as it gets out of the wash....bad thing. A once in a while car wash in the winter is just fine.
Oh yeah, when it does snow, go out to a parking lot and practice some controlled maneuvers away from other cars and light poles. You'll pick up snow driving very quickly, and have fun to boot
Maybe I'm an idiot, and screw around too much, but curbs tend to "come outta nowhere" for me, IE damaged rims if you don't have a decent sidewall. Try the scrap yard for some rims, any kind.
I live in NE Kansas, and love driving in the snow, but I guess I'm cautious enough to save the rims.
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Of course these same people are also convinced that my car will become a snow plow this winter. 
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