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Comments
You need winter tires on all four corners. As others pointed out, you're asking for handling problems, (likely unexpected handling problems), with winter tires only on the rear.
Roll
I currently have a 4WD 1998 Explorer XLT with 120K miles. It still runs very well and has been very reliable. Since I won’t get much on trade-in I suppose keeping the Explorer for use in bad weather is an option. Two cars for one person just seems a little indulgent though (not to mention extra insurance and registration).
Thanks in advance for any advice.
I have an arrangement with the local Discount Tire to pick up my wheels and tires during the week (by pickup truck) and then they deliver them when the change is done.
I bought the four tires and four wheels from Discount, and they have changed them 2X so far with the pickup and delivery, and they do not charge me anything for the service.
They have made a customer for life.
Practical vs. fun, there’s always a tradeoff. I’ve been driving practical for the last 7 years and I’d like to have something fun (if it’s not too impractical). :P
I also used Discount Tire. They didn't pick up my tires and wheels so I have to make two trips, with two tires and wheels each trip. You might get 4 in the car if you put them on the shelf and on the front passenger seat, (they put them in clean plastic bags).
Though I have not tried it and can’t say for sure.
Roll
RG
I am moving from Tucson AZ to St. Louis later this month. I am pretty concerned about driving in snow and need help. I have even contemplated selling car to get an all wheel drive vehicle. Only snow driving in my life has been when going skiing and then always with chains on the car.
Read through this discussion and wonder why the need for two sets of rims. Can't they just replace all four tires at once and store the tires for the summer? Is there such a thing as all weather tires that will really work all year? Do I even need to even worry about this in St. louis, it's not Minnesota after all. What tires models should I consider? Are there tire stores that store your tires for the winter?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It is not mandatory, just convenient. As far as storing for the summer, tire dealers around here won't do that (here is Detroit metro area).
1. Previous poster asked whether to stagger winter tires. I have the same question although our local tire mechanic suggested Dunlops M3 sized 215 55/17 and 222 55/17. Maybe that's not quite right, it was a bad cell phone connection. Is this necessary? Tirerack recommended just the 225/55 17 on all four.
2. Our local tire guy also recommended Nokians. I can't find anything about these tires on infinities. Comments? We live in metro NE area with a lot of slush, dry pavements, not a lot of deep snow. I'm particularly paranoid about hydroplanning since that once happened to me with another car.
Thanks.
I'd go with the Nokkias- I had a set years ago on an Accord and they were unstoppable. With the manual trans and these tires, you should be able to climb up the side of a house!
Use same size as your original tires at all four corners.
You would be better off mounting the snows on their own set of wheels as opposed to switching wheels 2x a year.
A word of caution-my Inf. dealer has a sign in the service dept: "We refuse to remove, mount, balance or service any aftermarket wheels". I wouldn't want to test that policy, as it may be their right to refuse. Check with your dealer if you are going to have your car serviced there. Of course, Inf. wheels cost $300 apiece...
Save your money until next year, as winter seems to be AWOL this year.
As for the hydroplaning-slow down!. A State Trooper once told me that in inclement weather, the posted speed limit is almost always too fast for conditions.
For most running gear stuff, brakes, tires, brakes, alignment, etc. etc. I go to a well experienced and trained mechanic with a fully equipped shop. The difference in personal service is huge as is the knowledge I gain in talking to him.
This mechanic does after-market stuff including setups for AutoX, lowering, for Nissans, Minis, bimmers, Vettes, etc. as well as the normal factory stuff.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11899/tech-stuff-a-tire-for-all-seasons.htm- l
RG
I wouldn't be too concern about driving with your current g35 in st louis on all season tires, esp given it will only be an issue a few days a year. I live in MN and haven't had any issues with my g coupe. I have a set of snows in the garage and haven't bothered to mount them this year. Just takes some skill to get going from a stop on a hill. Don't get me wrong snows make a big difference, but not like you are doomed without them. If you do go snows, it's best to get a set of wheels for them if for no other reason than it costs you $100 each time you flip them. They will pay for themselves quickly.
Good luck!
Has anyone with the Sedan w/18" wheel package (w/auto or 6MT) tried going up to 245 size and were their any issues/problems with it?
For snows I ended up going down to slightly shorter 225/45/18's which worked out fine - just wanted to see if anyone can verify that the slightly larger size for summer tires wouldn't cause an issue.
Front: 225/45-18
Rear: 255/40-18
I’ve used this to calculate the tire sizes: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Has anyone done that? What do you guys think?
Of course, regarding winter, I’m thinking of getting 18x7.5 wheels with set of four: 245/45-18 from TireRack.
Is this correct? Is the only G35 relevant for 365 days drive in NE is the AWD one?
If not and a coupe with snow tires will do the trick then wich tires should I buy? What should be the cost?
Thanks!
As for tires, I used 225/45 WinterSport M2's initially and last year changed to 205/50 WinterSport M3's. The narrower tire is MUCH better in the snow but considerably worse when playing on dry roads. I'm pretty sure if I still have the car when the next set is needed, I'll go back to 225s on each corner.
Hope this helps!
The coupe is not different than any other two wheel drive car in the snow if you have good tires.
I have 30 days to cancel and am considering it.
Tire must have 3/32 of an inch left on tread to qualify. Anyone have an idea of what that translates to in the life of a preformance tire?
There are many frost heave potholes where I live, and I thought it a reasonable investment.
You are correct about the curbing, since I did some minor damage hitting a curb, and the insurance would not pay for the repair.
With the price of any one wheel or tire being close to the whole cost of the insurance, it is worth the piece of mind. As I said in my previous note, I have had wheels ruined from pothole or road damage in the past.
Yes I told them I had curbed the wheel. The damage was really minor, and I just had to pay $50 to have a repair guy grind it out and repaint. You cannot tell the wheel was damaged.
RG
Looks like I'll have to buy a set of rims and tires. Any recommendations on those choices?
From what I have heard, looks like unfortunately, we have to buy a set of wheels and tires for winter..if you really want to protect your rims from the process of swapping summer and winter tires.
Another alternative is to put on All Season tires. However, I couldn't find the right tires sizes for all season..
I did some reasearch and don't take my word on this:
TireRack:
- All Season:
235/50-18 (Front)
255/45-18 (Rear)
- All Season:
245/45-18 (Front)
255/40-18 (Rear)
so i'm going to add another voice to your post. Any Recommendations out there ?
Thanks
It's interesting to me that Infiniti did not take this situation into account. I think there's more than a few of us who have purchased a Sport Model (or the Sports wheel package) that live in a climate that doesn't fit the recommended conditions of summer tires year round. Does anyone agree with this position?
I know that purchasing a second set of wheels in a different size is an option, but shouldn't I at least have the choice of replacing the stock tires with all season tires?
The package covers wheels and tires, but also offers full road-side assistance for anything, like dead batteries, running out of gas, etc and also includes towing up to 150 miles.
I use AAA but I admit, I sometimes let it expire accidentally. This is just added piece of mind.
They wanted $795.
I told him he was nuts, and that I knew what people were paying.
He immediately came down to $395, which I accepted.
There's a $50- deductible on any tire/wheel replacement, regardless of wear, and it's coverage for 60 months, unlimited miles.
Sounded like a good deal, so I took it.
(politely declined everything else)
First of all, congrats on your car, we all know you have waited a while for it.
You constantly reminded us of it
Hope you have fun drivin it. A few questions for a new owner
1) what other options did they try to offer you with the car
2) why did it have 11-13 mile on it already, did the sale guy take it out on a test drive?
3)sounds like you were at the dealer for a long time inspecting the car. what things did you look for or recommend one absolutely do when picking up their new car?
enjoy your ride
I take car detailing very seriously and found no need for this at all.
They also offered extended warranties, but I have declined for now. I have 6 months to decide before the price goes up and they would not budge from the $2,400 pricetag for the 7/100,000 plan.
Also, there was a deductible and only certain things were covered.
"Oh, you broke the fluggle... we only cover the bolt that holds the fluggle"
I'll search around and find something that better suits my needs.
They offered Lo-Jack... for $900!
Yeah, it pages you when the car is stolen, causing your little extra fob to beep... 15 minutes after it's stolen. They say that Lo-Jack doesn't want you to get notified too early, causing you to mingle with the thieves.
I'm thinking more on the lines of a Viper system, which will beep and/or call me the second the car is started, and also includes a GPS tracking system for pinpointing the car.
Same price installed, and offers far better protection.
I opted for the Wheel/Tire package cause it's just piece of mind. Not for me, but the wife asked me to get it. She's hit potholes and ruined two wheels in the past years and felt I should get it.
I'll pay $395 to avoid her from saying "I told you so" down the road, if it's ever needed!
The wheels are $800 a piece and the tires are $200.
Tire coverage is complete replacement, regardless of wear.
$400- was not expensive, if it's needed even once.
The roadside coverage will continue even after my car's warranty has passed, and it's just extra piece of mind.
I had 11 miles on the car because these cars are tested at the factory.
There's a letter included in the car's glovebox that explains exactly why the 11 miles are there.
I brought a list of items to check upon delivery, but the salesguy had a full checklist of items as well.
I had my wife and 4 yr old with me, so I was a little rushed as well.
I failed to notice until this morning, that I didn't get my splash guards though.... calling the dealer today.
hate to hear about those splash guards, that means other unwanted trip to the dealership. at least when you get there, it will be in STYLE.
Lot's of people use the term "3M" almost like saying "Band-Aid" but are talking about other products which do not compare to the same quality.
Cough-Avery Dennison-Cough
3M carries a 5 yr warranty for peeling, cracking, discoloration, etc.
I also made sure my install guy at the dealer was 3M certified.
You can do that through 3M's website.
He did an absolutely awesome job.
Local places wanted $795 for just the hood/fender/mirror kit.
I got the dealer to agree on the entire front end, including the bumper/lower spoiler section, front fenders, mirrors and extended coverage of the hood for $695.
I had to wait several extra days when the car was in, cause the installer was on vacation.
It was worth the wait... awesome install job.
Has anyone successfully used alternative sizes to the original tires on the Sedan Sport with the 18 inch wheels?
Regarding your question about driving year round in NJ on Summer tires, I would not recommend it based on everything I've read and heard about summer tires. It's not just snow, it's also the cold temperature. I'm further south than you and I don't plan on keeping them year round.
Do you know the name of the company that provides your plan? You may want to read over the fine print on yours too. Does it say that they will only replace the wheel as a last resort if it cannot be repaired? How much will they reimburse you for towing? Mine says up to $50. One occurance in a 7 day period, hitting curbs is not covered, winter tires are not covered, only the original wheels are covered, etc, etc,
Yes, the wheel is only replaced as a last resort, like being bent. If the wheel is repairable, that is what will be done... I'm okay with that.
As for towing, I don't yet know the little details, but we covered the big ones.
150 miles towing per incident, and there is no limit of cost, just mileage.
Only the original wheels and tires are covered.
If I have a set of winter wheels/tires on for the winter, then or course, these would not be covered.
I'll let you know the company when I get top the paperwork, which is in my glovebox, which is in my car, which is in my garage... LOL
That may be an over-statement.
The package is $795... I paid half that.
Where I live.. (NE).. we have some road issues.
I driven SUVs and trucks in my past, so wheels have never been an issue for me.
My wife on the other hand, has bent 2 wheels in as many years, just driving through back roads.
We know how to watch for killer potholes, but if it's raining, they're full of water and impossible to detect.
If I hit a pothole and damage a wheel, this has paid for itself.
If I never need it, then at least purchasing it made my wife happy, and that's enough for me.