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Big Improvements in Snow Traction for Your 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS

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Our test BMWs are fun, but I have really enjoyed our Porsche Cayennes. For a large SUV, the Cayenne can really move. It's a Porsche, so the power is to be expected, but the cornering stability at this size and with this weight is a pleasant surprise.

If you've recently picked up a 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS (Turbo S model is pictured), I'm sure you've also been impressed. Once winter arrived, you quickly discovered that the Original Equipment 295/35R21 Max Performance Summer tires lack even minimum cold weather competence. Don't be too hard on them, their specialty is great dry and wet grip. That's why you need to find the right winter tire for your new Porsche.

Winter / Snow Tire Category

Since tire engineers balance snow grip with dry road handling, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions as you make your choice:

  1. How severe do winters in your area tend to be?
  2. How often will you drive on icy and hard-packed snow roads?
  3. How spirited of a driver are you?

Performance Winter / Snow Wheel & Tire Package

Many spirited drivers in the light blue region of our snowfall map rarely see ice-covered roads for a long period of time, so they are best served by options in the Performance Winter / Snow category. The ideal Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for a spirited driver would be the 275/45R20 Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on the 20x10 5-130 45ET silver painted Andros Spec P.

275/45-20 Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow N0 $317**
275/45R20 Pirelli Scorpion
Ice & Snow
20x10 5-130 45ET Silver Andros Spec P $229**
20x10 5-130 45ET Silver Painted
Andros Spec P


With the 275/45R20 being about one inch narrower than your O.E. 295/35R21, it's skinny enough to handle a deep snow blizzard, yet wide enough for your Cayenne GTS to remain fun on good weather days.

Studless Ice & Snow Tire & Package

Moderate drivers in the dark blue region of the map who frequently experiences icy roads should search for a tire from the Studless Ice & Snow category. The optimal package for this driver is the 255/55R18 Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 on 18x8 5-130 50ET silver painted Sport Edition TX8 wheels.

255/55-18 Michelin Latitude X-ICE Xi2 $160**
255/55R18 Michelin Latitude
X-Ice Xi2
18x8 5-130 50ET Silver Sport Edition TX8 $155**
18x8 5-130 50ET Silver Painted
Sport Edition TX8


255/55R18 is approximately 1.5" narrower than your O.E. 295/35R21 and provides more emphasis on deeper snow traction. Among the 255/55R18 Studless Ice & Snow options, the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 does the best job at balancing ice and packed snow grip with dry road handling.

Create your ideal Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!


Are Your Chrysler PT Cruiser Chrome Wheels Looking Bad and Struggling to Hold Air?

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Chrome wheels were a very popular option on the PT Cruiser and they made a nice addition to the retro looking car. However, most owners are now finding out that chrome is not a maintenance-free wheel and is never recommended for use in winter conditions.

Chrome wheels have no protective coating and if used in wintry conditions, or if not frequently washed, they can start to look oxidized or hazy and the chrome finish will begin to peel. This isn't only an esthetics problem, but many find the peeling causes problems with the tire sealing properly to the wheel which can cause a slow leak. Having the tire removed from the wheel and cleaning the bead area of the wheel can help in some cases, but the problem most often always returns.

We offer many low-cost options for replacement that provide a more durable finish. When replacing wheels on the PT Cruiser I recommend to use a painted or clearcoat finish in order to achieve a more durable finish which is more suitable for all-season use.


MSW Type 14
Sport Edition SE-17
RIAL Como


Some of the more popular replacement wheels include the MSW Type 14, Sport Edition SE-17 and RIAL Como. Each option is offered with a silver painted finish with a five-spoke design similar to a wheel that would have come on the car new.

If your chrome wheels aren't looking good or are having trouble holding air, shop by vehicle to find a new durable option for your PT Cruiser.

Excellent Winter / Snow Tire Options for Your E-Series Mercedes-Benz E350, E550 and E63

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BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class? Both options are excellent vehicles, but we've seen a spike in drivers going the E-Class route.

Have you just picked up an E-Class Sedan, Coupe or Cabriolet? If so, and you live in the Snowbelt region, your E-Class is going to need to be equipped with a set of dedicated winter / snow tires. Given the wide variety of E-Class drivers, both Studless Ice and Snow and Performance Winter / Snow tires may be appropriate. Take a look at "Which Winter Performance Category is Right for You?" to see which winter tire is appropriate for how and where you drive.

Winter / Snow Tire Size

Depending on your exact model, Original Equipment sizes range between 17" and 19" including staggered (wider rear tire) fitments. An optimum winter size for most E350 drivers is 235/45R17. The heavier E550 excels with a 245/45R17 size. While the large brakes of the E63 require the use of either 18" or 19" wheels. Given the E63's prodigious horsepower and torque, most E63 drivers are best served by 255/40R18 in the front and 285/35R18 in the rear on 18" wheels or 255/35R19 in the front and 285/30R19 in the rear on 19" wheels.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The E-Class uses valve-stem-mounted direct TPMS sensors priced at $62* each. You can register the TPMS sensors yourself by following the instructions in the owner's manual. There's no additional cost to install the sensors as part of our free mount and balance.

Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for E350 4MATIC

Since you've selected your E350 4MATIC for ultimate safety in the worst conditions, I recommend 235/45R17 Studless Ice and Snow Bridgestone Blizzak WS70s on 17x8 44mm offset bright silver Sport Edition ST3 wheels at $1440*.

235/45-17 Studless Ice and Snow Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 $179*
235/45R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS7017x8 5-112 44 ET Bright Silver Sport Edition ST3 $119*
17x8 5-112 44ET Sport Edition ST3


Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for RWD E350

If you're a spirited driver who chose a rear-wheel drive E350 for its emphasis on handling, then the 245/45R17 Performance Winter / Snow Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II is a better choice. Four of these tires mounted and balanced on Sport Edition ST3 wheels is currently $1488*.

245/45-17 Performance Winter Pirelli Winter 210 Sotto Serie II $191*
245/45R17 Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II17x8 5-112 44 ET Bright Silver Sport Edition ST3 $119*
17x8 5-112 44 ET Sport Edition ST3

 

Winter 2014/2015: Detailed Updates for E9X M3

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If you are looking for a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package for your M3 this year, take a look at the latest information on what is available this year:

Sport Edition A7 wheels are available in both black and silver. It's still the go-to wheel for a practical winter package. They are a direct fit with no spacer. They will even use the original bolts and can accept a BMW cap. I like this wheel so much, that I used it for three winters on my previous BMW.

Though the Sport Edition A7 is the most common 18" winter wheel, there are a few alternatives that we have available. BBS' CH can work, though there aren't many available at this time. They have also introduced the XA this year. While we do not have them available in our distribution centers at this time, we can order them for you to have in time for the winter season.

There's good news for those drivers who are in need of serious snow traction - Bridgestone has introduced theBlizzak WS80. The Blizzak WS80 is an upgrade to to their WS70. They are available in the 235/40R18 and 245/40R18 sizes that are suitable for square set-ups on 18" wheels. This tire is H-speed rated and not oriented toward sporty handling. It's truly designed for maximum snow and ice traction.

When it comes to staggered set-ups, there's always a challenge in selecting snow tires. If you have staggered 18" tires, nothing matches perfectly in the stock 245/40R18 and 265/40R18 sizes. There is a Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II that is a Porsche spec rear and Mercedes Original Equipment in the front you can consider as an option. Also, in the 235/40R18 and 255/40R18 size, there are several matching options to consider from Bridgestone, Dunlop and Michelin.

For those drivers considering 19" wheels, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II comes in the stock sizes. The 255/35R19 and 275/35R19 Blizzak LM-60 that had been popular with drivers has been replaced by the Blizzak LM-32. The front tires are H-speed rated, while the rears are V-speed rated. Mixing speed ratings is not ideal, but it's better than driving in harsh winter conditions without snow tires.

Create your Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!

Winter Wheels for BMW: Sport Edition A7 and Sport Edition A8

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Whether you're minus sizing to a smaller diameter wheel for your BMW Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package or just trying to save your expensive BMW wheels from the potholes and salt of winter driving, Sport Edition produces some great winter wheel options.  

The Sport Edition A7 is one of the most popular winter wheels for BMWs. It's one of the few aftermarket wheels that fits over the large brakes of the newer BMW 335i vehicles in 17 inch options while accepting BMW center caps. The wheel is offered in both a black painted and silver painted option. 

New this year from Sport Edition is the A8. The A8 brings an updated design based on the look of the Sport Edition A7. The A8 maintains the same dimensions, sizes, widths and offsets as the A7, while will still accepting BMW center caps.

 Sport Edition A7 Silver
Sport Edition A7 Silver
Painted
 Sport Edition A8 Silver
Sport Edition A8 Bright Silver
Painted
 Sport Edition A8 Titanium Gunmetal
Sport Edition A8 Titanium
Gunmetal


The new Sport Edition A8 is offered with a titanium gunmetal finish and makes a great edition to the silver and black finish wheels currently available. Both the A7 and A8 have a durable, painted with clearcoat finish that is good for winter driving. 

Do you still need to decide which winter tires are best for your BMW? First, you'll want to decide between a Performance Winter / Snow tire and the more aggressive Studless Ice & Snow option. For assistance on choosing a tire from the right performance category, read "Choosing Between Performance Winter / Snow Tires and Studless Ice & Snow Tires."

Are Sport Edition Wheels Good?

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Yes! They may not equal the high style and lightweight of the more expensive wheel lines like BBS, O.Z. Racing and Enkei Racing Series, but for many drivers, the Sport Edition wheels are a great lower cost option. Sport Edition offers aluminum alloy wheels that have durable painted with clearcoat finishes offered in a variety of colors and styles.  

One popular use for a Sport Edition wheel is to make it a part of your Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. Why submit an expensive Original Equipment wheel or high-end aftermarket wheel to the harsh conditions of winter driving and salt-covered roads when you can use a quality wheel at a good price? The stylish Sport Edition A7 and A8, available in black painted and silver painted finishes, have been very popular with BMW drivers for years. The same applies to Porsche drivers using the Sport Edition Cup 4 for their winter set-ups. Both of these styles accept the vehicle's Original Equipment center caps for a clean appearance.  

 A7 Black Painted
Sport Edition A7  A8 Titanium Gunmetal
Sport Edition A8  Cup 4 Silver Painted
Sport Edition Cup 4


We also offer basic steel wheels as well for many vehicles. Are you unsure of which is best for your car? Take a look at "Steel Rims vs. Alloy Wheels for Winter Use" to see the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II Run Flat

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The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II Run FlatReviewer's Overall Rating: 9.18   

2014 BMW 328i xDrive M Sport
More Tire Reviews for This Vehicle

 
Buy/More Info Miles driven on tires: 2,000 Location: Gloucester, ON Driving Condition: Spirited 

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
December 13, 2014

Ottawa. Montreal. Snow and Ice Belt. 2014 335I xDrive. It's not just a question as to how the tires perform, but how they perform on the behicle they are designed for. On an F30 M Sport Performance Edition, the Pirellis provide an unbeatable level of winter driving performance. Within the first 1000 kms, one 40 km stretch of black ice forced me below 100 km/hr, and the Pirellis kept the car within controllable oscillations. I could not tell I was on black ice, until the first accidents notified me. But they gave me feedback i now know, slight oscillations as if wind gusting.

Then that deer popped, I was doing 80 km / hr, just about leaving that black ice rainy Nov 2014 day; nigghtime. Deer was just slowly walking. I swirled left. Then straightenened the car. Full control.

I realize they are not as good as Micheling or Hakapeliitas on pure compact snow and ice, but I did not buy them for pure snow or ice driving. I got them for handling characteristics in alla round winter conditions (or the snow score would be 5/5/3/3/5/4/5). I got them to survive the mix of ice and dry, ice and slush, snow and slush, or 85% of the conditions I face in winter driving, at Highway Speed. The vehicle does another 15% coverage.

These tires may not be for an front wheel drive vehicle. The assymetric pattern is also more unstable in turns- but that why it is made for a car that turns and leans aggressivley into every corner, even if trying it or not. A sportsy SUV or a sports car. Simliarly, no doubt that Michelins will do better on pure snow, but let me down in handling in wet slush, etc.

Treadwear- got 3000 kms and it seems standard for maybe 3 to 5 winters? Apparently, no matter the tire brand, the very rubber is meant only for 3 to 5 seasons top, as changes int emperature gradually nullify advantages, even if treadwear lasts. So 30-50000 city winter kms and 80,000 highway maybe?

Fuel Efficiency and Your Vehicle

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As part of the TireWise program, the Department of Transportation will finalize a rule to establish a tire fuel efficiency information program so drivers can identify the most energy-efficient tires. To help you better understand fuel efficiency and how a low rolling resistance tire can help, take a look at "Low Rolling Resistance Tires."

A key way to increase your vehicle's efficiency is to change what hits the road - your tires. As the tire market begins to offer more low rolling resistance options, the decision on what to use becomes more focused. In many sizes, Michelin even offers a winter tire with low rolling resistance capabilities with their the X-Ice Xi3.

When it comes to all-season tires, a few of the best tires with low rolling resistance are:

Using an aftermarket wheel that weighs less than your factory wheel is another easy way to increase vehicle efficiency. The best way to find a lightweight wheel is to search by your vehicle's year, make and model, then sort by weight. This will show the lightest wheels first. A few of the popular lighter weighted wheels include:

It is critical to understand that other factors like vehicle maintenance and driving habits are also items to consider when trying to increase efficiency. Tread depth of new tires also plays a roll in fuel economy.

Learn more about the new TireWise campaign and see what changes you can expect in the coming years.


Be Safe in Your Sonata: Winter / Snow Tire Options for Your Sixth-Generation 2011-2014 Hyundai ...

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For the longest time, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominated the mid-size sedan game. Then Hyundai crashed the party with the Sonata!

The sixth-generation 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata has been particularly competitive but it still needs dedicated winter tires for the safest winter handling. When it comes to balancing snow and dry road handling, each one of us has to decide which performance traits we want to emphasize. Most Sonata drivers are likely served by the superior ice and packed snow traction that a Studless Ice & Snow tire offers.

Winter / Snow Tire Size

Always check your tire sidewalls to verify your current size. The GLS and Hybrid versions normally come equipped with 205/65R16 (215/55R17 is an optional Hybrid size) tires, while the Sonata Limited runs either 215/55R17 (2.4L engine) or 225/45R18 (2.0T). The Sonata SE runs on 225/45R18 in both engine models.

table.tableizer-table { border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } Year Model Tire Sizes Rim Sizes Tread Width O.E. Hankook Overall Diameter 2011-2014 Sonata GLS (2.4L) P205/65-16 94H 16x6.5 6.1" 26.5" 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid With 16's as O.E. P205/65-16 94H 16x6.5 6.1" 26.5" 2011-2014 Sonata Hybrid With 17's as O.E. P215/55-17 93V 17x6.5 7.1" 26.2" 2011-2014 Sonata Limited 2.0T 225/45-18/XL 95V 18x7.5 7.3" 25.9" 2011-2014 Sonata Limited 2.4L P215/55-17 93V 17x6.5 7.1" 26.2" 2011-2014 Sonata SE 2.0T 225/45-18/XL 95V 18x7.5 7.3" 25.9" 2011-2014 Sonata SE 2.4L 225/45-18/XL 95V 18x7.5 7.3" 25.9"
  • Step 1: Consider your most common winter driving situations. How often do you see deep snow? Packed snow? Glare ice? Cold dry roads?
  • Step 2: Pick a tire size of appropriate width for the conditions you experience on your drive. For example, if you have a 30-minute commute through farm roads alternatively covered with deep snow or ice, 205/65R16 is narrow enough to cut through deeper snow but wide enough to handle icy roads. If you have a long commute on major highways, 215/55R17 provides better dry road handling without being horribly problematic in deeper snow.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata uses valve-stem mounted TPMS sensors that must be initialized by the dealer or a major shop to function. We can install sensors when purchased as part of a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package.

Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 is great for handling snowy and icy roads. It also does well for dry road handling. The tire is a great option for Sonata drivers, and when paired with a steel wheel creates a great tire and wheel combo to handle winter's toughest conditions. If you're looking for a 17" tire and wheel, look at the 215/55R17 Blizzak WS80 with the Sport Edition A8 wheel.

205/65-16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80 $108*
205/65R16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS8016x6.5 Black Steel Wheel
16x6.5 Black Steel Wheel


Create your Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today and handle all Mother Nature has to throw your way!

Sport Edition Daisy: Flower Petal Wheels for the New VW Beetle

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Designed under our house brand Sport Edition, the Daisy wheel is one of our longest running wheel designs. For years, it has provided a unique look for the owners of the new VW Beetle.

Manufactured in a 16" diameter, the Sport Edition Daisy is a perfect fit for new Beetles produced from 1998 until 2010 and is designed to re-use the factory tire size of 205/55R16. This allows the purchaser to re-use their existing tires if they are in good shape, or choose among the several tire options in this very popular size.

Should you wish to modify the wheels further, the included center caps are easily removable and very commonly painted to match their owner's vehicle.

 

Sport Edition Wheels at Tire Rack

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Sport Edition wheels feature a wide range of styles and sizes to fit a variety of vehicle types. As one of our house brands, these wheels are designed to provide low-cost wheel options and often times offer wheel fitments where there otherwise would be none.

Due to their pricing, Sport Edition wheels are a common choice for customers creating a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. With many options modeled after traditional five- and six-spoke designs, the brand is also home to many Original Equipment based styles, such as the Cup 4. This one-piece, cast construction wheel is styled for and unique to Porsche vehicles.

If you're looking for a low-cost cast aluminum wheel, search by vehicle to see if a Sport Edition wheel is an option for your car.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin X-Ice Xi3

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Simply outstanding. Put these winter tires on about a month ago and already in the Chicago area we've gotten 7 inches of snow..which I looked forward to in that I wanted to see if these tires were what I expected. They are quiet on dry roads, very pleasant in cold temperatures (10-20 degrees) responsive and so on. In the snow they are very good and you will feel secure, perhaps, overly secure such that you may do some things without regard to snowy conditions and risk an accident. They give that much confidence during the short period of time I've had them on the BMW 535i X drive. Buy them. They are very good. I also bought a set of wheels through Tire Rack, BMW center caps, (I think Sport Edition 7) and the tires and wheels look very nice on the vehicle. I highly recommend this tire and of course doing business with Tire Rack as you get very good pricing, nice selection and the people know their stuff.

Fun in the Snow: Winter / Snow Tire Options for Your 2015+ Subaru WRX

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Speed or practicality? With the Subaru WRX you don't have to choose just one, you get both. However, if you live in the snowbelt, you'll need a set of dedicated winter tires to get your WRX ready to handle winter's toughest conditions.

Winter / Snow Tire Category

As covered in "Which Winter Performance Category is Right for You?", tire engineers are challenged with the diametrically opposed tasks of creating a tire with great snow grip and dry road handling. There is no "super tire" that does it all, so you need to decide whether you value the optimal ice and packed snow grip of the Studless & Ice Snow category or the better dry road handling found in the Performance Winter / Snow group. 

Winter Wheels

Once you make your snow tire choice, our website brings up a list of winter wheels to allow you to create a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. These wheels have finishes that are more resilient to road salt compared to our full wheel list. Your Original Equipment WRX wheel is 8" wide with a 55 mm offset. Ideally you should find a wheel with a similar offset to maintain steering feel and driving dynamics. 

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

The WRX uses valve stem mounted TPMS sensors that need be initialized as you install your winter tires or swap out between sets. Either your dealer or installer can initialize the sensors. You can also do it yourself with the ATEQ Quickset initialization tool.

Studless Ice & Snow Package

If you're going with Studless Ice & Snow tires for better ice and packed snow grip, you might as well go all out and get the option with the best overall grip, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80. In addtion to maintaining its edge on ice and packed snow, Bridgestone made great strides in dry handling so that dry road compromise is much less compared to the previous-generation Blizzak WS70.

235/45-17 Studless Ice & Snow Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80 $173.28*
Bridgestone Blizzak WS8017x7.5 ET53 Silver Sport Edition CS3 $108*
Sport Edition CS3

 

Performance Winter / Snow Package

For a Performance Winter / Snow package, look at the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 as it tested well on ice for its category and the tire's dry road handling prowess will help the WRX maintain its sporting nature.

235/45-17 Performance Winter Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 $178.00*
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 317x7.5 ET53 Silver Sport Edition CS3 $108*
Sport Edition CS3


Create a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package and tackle everything winter throws your way. 

Winter Wheel Decision Guide

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So you have already made the fantastic decision to run a set of dedicated winter wheels and tires. The question remains however, how do I select a wheel that will perform well during the winter months?   

When it comes to winter wheels, you want to avoid chrome, polished and some machined accent wheels as they tend to be susceptible to damage from the weather as well as snow and ice melt chemicals. The image below is a clear illustration of why the above finishes are to be avoided. The owner of this wheel found out the hard way how harsh winter weather can be when using a non-winter wheels.

       

We find that the most robust wheels come with painted finishes. In addition to a painted finished, it is advisable to select a wheel with a more open design, such as a classic five-spoke like the Sport Edition F11 or MSW Type 14. The open designs allow for easier cleaning and clearing of snow and ice buildup, which can cause annoying vibration. Shop by vehicle to see what winter wheels are a fit for your application.

Winter / Snow Tires for Your 2016 Honda HR-V AWD

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Do you love your new 2016 Honda HR-V but worried about how it will do in the snow? Even a Honda can still use a little help dealing with Mother Nature. 

Use our winter tire overview to decide whether you need a Studless Ice & Snow or Performance Winter / Snow tire. Given the HR-V's emphasis on ride compliance over razor-sharp handling, most HR-V drivers will be happier with a Studless Ice & Snow tire to handle tough winter conditions.

Winter Tire Size

Winter conditions will vary from deep snow, glare ice and cold asphalt, so your winter tire size needs to be effective against your most common winter foes. The 2016 Honda HR-V EX AWD CVT weighs 3,094 pounds and would benefit from a narrower size because of its light weight. A narrower size increases the pressure per square inch of contact patch. There isn't an ideal alternative 17" size with an overall diameter comparable to stock, so downsize to 205/65R16 (26.5" overall diameter). Compared to your factory 215/55R17, 205/65R16 is about a 1/2" narrower and 2/10" larger in diameter so they're narrow enough for deeper snow but wide enough to handle ice and packed snow.

Winter Wheel

Our winter wheel list has been filtered to only show more resilient finishes so offset is the major functional variable. Filter by offset to stay close to your Original Equipment 55 mm offset. This will retain O.E. suspension geometry, handling, steering feel and track.

Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package

The Bridgestone Bizzak WS80 is a great choice for its amazing ice and packed snow grip. It really impresses with its dry and wet road handling, especially compared to its predecessors. As for wheels, the 16x6.5 ET 50 black steel wheel is a good choice.
 

205/65-16 Studless Ice&Snow Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80 $106.20**
Bridgestone Blizzak WS8016x6.5 ET 50 Black Steel Wheel $62**
Steel Wheel


If you're looking for more styling than the steel wheels offer, package your 205/65R16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 with the 16x7 ET 53 Sport Edition Silver CS3

205/65-16 Studless Ice&Snow Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80 $106.20**
Bridgestone Blizzak WS8016x7 ET53 Silver Sport Edition CS3 $100**
Sport Edition CS3


When it comes to driving your HR-V this winter, tackle everything Mother Nature throws your way with a new Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package.


Winter / Snow Tires for Your 2005-2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE

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A few months ago I got to spend a few days behind the wheel of my neighbor's 2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE. I'm used to smaller cars like my BRZ, so I wasn't expecting much out of the big SUV. However, I was really impressed with how the Range Rover Sport handled.

Are you a Snowbelt driver that's happy with his or her Range Rover Sport but concerned how it will fare in snow? The Range Rover Sport's heavy weight, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, traction control and ground clearance make it capable in the snow, but dedicated winter / snow tires will make you unstoppable.

Winter /Snow Tire Category

If you haven't already done so, take a look at our winter / snow tire overview. Unless you're a very spirited driver, the optimal ice and packed snow grip of the Studless Ice & Snow category will serve you best. As for tire sizing, you'll need a tire narrow enough to slice through deeper snow yet wide enough for ice, packed snow and dry roads. Given the Ranger Rover Sport's 5,540 lbs. curb weight, though, using the Original Equipment sizes of 255/50R19 and 275/40R20 will be effective. 

Winter Wheel

Land Rover equipped the 2006-2013 Ranger Sport with both 19" and 20" wheels from the factory. There may be slight variances in offset among the different styles, but the standard 19" O.E. wheels are 9" wide with a 57 mm offset and the standard 20" O.E. wheels are 9.5" wide with a 53 mm offset. Ideally, you should stay close to the factory offset to keep track and overall handling comparable to stock. 

Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package

Taking the above factors into consideration as well the availability of 19" and 20" winter wheels, the best way to go is the 255/50R19 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 on either bright silver or titanium gunmetal 19x8.5 ET 50 Sport Edition WX5.

255/50-19 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 $173.30*
255/50R19 Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V219x8.5 ET50 Bright Silver Sport Edition WX5 $209*
Bright Silver Sport Edition
WX5
19x8.5 ET50 Titanium Gunmetal Sport Edition WX5 $209*
Titanium Gunmetal Sport Edition WX5


Create your Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package today!

Flower Wheels for Your Volkswagen Beetle

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By a show of hands, okay, maybe comments, who hasn't seen the Daisy wheel? It's a pretty good bet that most of us have seen this particular aftermarket wheel at one time or another, and with very good reason.

Designed to fit the 1998-2010 "new" Volkswagen Beetle (among some other VW models), the Sport Edition Daisy has easily become one of our most popular wheel offerings to date. The appeal of the Daisy wheel is simply undeniable. Some things in life just seem to go with one another. Exactly like peanut butter and jelly, hot wings and football, summer days and convertibles, the Daisy wheel and the Beetle were made for each other.  

Available only in 16" diameter, the Daisy has a center cap that can be colored to match your vehicle and give it its own unique personality. More than just about any other wheel, we have found that the Daisy makes an extremely memorable holiday or birthday gift. Shop by vehicle and to purchase the Daisy wheel for your Beetle, or add a set of tires to freshen the look and ride of your Bug!

Outfitting the New Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Black Bear Edition

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The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Black Bear Edition is the newest special edition Jeep named after the legendary Black Bear Pass in Telluride, Colorado that was cut into the Rocky Mountains back in the late 1800s. It's also one of the more dangerous roads to traverse in the country today. 

The Black Bear Wrangler sets itself apart from the Sport model with factory installed rock rails on the sides, a limited slip differential and some cosmetic upgrades. The vehicle also comes from the factory with 245/75R17 Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor tires that are just asking to be mounted on some sportier looking wheels! A perfect fit would be the new KMC XD Series XD300 Pulley in 17x8 with a zero millimeter offset and 4.5 inches of backspacing. 

As you can see, these wheels fit the stock tires perfectly and push them out to the edge of the fenders where they belong, rather than being tucked way up under the fenders. These wheels also work on Jeep JK Wranglers that come stock with the larger 255/75R17 size from the factory. Check out the selection of wheels for your Jeep today!

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Pirelli Scorpion Winter

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I bought these tires last year from Tire Rack mounted on Sport Edition ST6 bright silver wheels. These wheel look very similar to the stock wheels, but have a bright finish to them that I find very attractive with the Floret Silver paint on my car. You can find Audi center caps on the Internet that will fit, too.

I've never been a big fan of Michelin tires, but the stock Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires seem pretty good in all weather conditions, except for tire noise.

When I first put the Scorpions on the car, I was concerned that they seemed very noisy compared to the Michelin's, but after a break-in period of roughly 500 miles, they quieted down to the point that they are now quieter than the Michelin's. And speaking of break-in, these took at least 500 miles to be fully broken in. Before that mileage, these tires were iffy in wet weather if you pushed them hard around a corner. After that mileage and now up to the 2000 miles I have on them, these are really superior to the stock Michelin's and if it wasn't going to wear them out, I'd just leave them on all year!!

I've only had these in deep snow once or twice and I'd say they do very well. On ice, they're about the best you're going to get. I've had Bridgestone Blizzak Winter tires on my other Audi (2005 allroad; 4.2), and those ---- by comparison. Sure, these are a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for!! I won't be returning to the Blizzak's under any condition! I had the Scorpion M&S tires on that car as well as these Winter tires and I'd take the Scorpions any time over the Bridgestone's. The Winter tires are by far the best IMHO. (Look for rebates!)

I drive Highway 26 over Mount Hood (Oregon) about once or twice a month during all weather conditions. These tires NEVER let me down and always held traction. You have to be going stupid fast to get these tires to not stick.

If you're looking for a really great Winter tire, I would highly recommend the Scorpions. You can't go wrong!

Worried About How Your New 2016 - 2017 Chevy Camaro Will Do in the Snow? Relax, We Got Your Back!

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Having a fun sporty car used to mean that you also needed a second car to handle the winter months. This is no longer the case as modern traction control systems and ever improving winter tires mean the fun doesn't have to stop when the snow falls. For example, you have a 2016 Camaro and we have several tire and wheel options to get you through the challenging driving months of winter.

WINTER / SNOW TIRE CATEGORY

As covered in our 2017 winter / snow tire overview, winter tires have to be engineered to balance ice and snow grip with competent dry road handling. Should you opt for the better ice and snow grip of a Studless Ice and Snow tire or the better dry handling of a Performance Winter / Snow tire? It depends. If you're an LT driver deep in the snowbelt who frequently travels on persistently icy roads,  Studless Ice and Snow tires are probably your better choice. If you drive an SS along the fringes of the snowbelt and enjoy spirited drives on nicer winter days, Performance Winter / Snow tires would normally be a better fit. 

WINTER / SNOW TIRE SIZE

Check your tire sidewalls to verify your current tire size(s). Here's a quick summary of trim levels and respective sizes:

table.tableizer-table { font-size: 12px; border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } .tableizer-table td { padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #CCC; } .tableizer-table th { background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold; } Year Model Trim Brakes Standard Wheel Standard Tire 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 1LT Standard Brakes 18x8.5 ET 32 245/50R18 High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 1LT Standard Brakes, Run-flats 20x8.5 ET 25 245/40R20 Ultra High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical All-Season Runflat 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 2LT Standard Brakes 20x8.5 ET 25 245/40R20 Ultra High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical All-Season Runflat 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 2LT Standard Brakes Run-flats 18x8.5 ET 32 245/50R18 High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 2LT Brembo Brakes (4-Piston front) 18x8.5 ET 32 245/50R18 High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season 2016 Camaro LT Coupe 2LT Brembo Brakes (4-Piston front) Run-flats 20x8.5 ET 25 245/40R20 Ultra High Performance All-Season Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrical All-Season Runflat 2016 Camaro SS Coupe 1SS Brembo Brakes(4-Piston front & rear) 20x8.5 ET 25 20x9.5 ET 39 245/40R20 Front & 275/35-20 Rear Max Performance Summer Eagle F1 Asymmetrical 3 Runflats 2016 Camaro SS Coupe 1SS W/ZL1 Brembo Brake Kit (Performance Brake Upgrade Kit - Brembo 6-Piston Front)  20x8.5 ET 25 20x9.5 ET 39 245/40R20 Front & 275/35-20 Rear Max Performance Summer Eagle F1 Asymmetrical 3 Runflats 2016 Camaro SS Coupe 2SS Brembo Brakes (4-Piston front & rear) 20x8.5 ET 25 20x9.5 ET 39 245/40R20 Front & 275/35-20 Rear Max Performance Summer Eagle F1 Asymmetrical 3 Runflats 2016 Camaro SS Coupe 2SS W/ZL1 Brembo Brake Kit (Performance Brake Upgrade Kit - Brembo® 6-Piston Front)  20x8.5 ET 25 20x9.5 ET 39 245/40R20 Front & 275/35-20 Rear Max Performance Summer Eagle F1 Asymmetrical 3 Runflats

 

The proper winter tire size will be narrow enough to cut through deeper snow while being wide enough for packed snow and ice. See more on how narrow to go with your selection here.

STUDLESS ICE & SNOW WINTER TIRE PACKAGE

Let's consider the hypothetical case of Bernie from Buffalo whose sole vehicle is his 2016 Blue Velvet Metallic Camaro LT V6 with Standard Brakes. Bernie lives out in the country and frequently sees a mixture of deep snow blizzards and persistently icy roads. During nice winter weather days he likes to take it easy.

I would recommend that Bernie go with 235/50R18 Studless Ice and Snow tires on basic 18" wheels. 235/50R18s are about 1/2" narrower than the 245/50R18 Original Equipment size, so they're narrow enough to cut through deeper snow yet wide enough to be competent on packed snow and ice. Given the V6 Camaro's relatively high 3,339 pound curb weight, I don't see a strong need to downsize to 17" wheels and narrower 225/60R17 tires. I feel that would place too much emphasis on deep snow capability at the expense of ice, packed snow, dry road performance and aesthetics.  

For Studless Ice & Snow tire choices, the shortlist includes the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80, the Continental WinterContact SI and the Michelin X-ICE Xi3. All three provide good ice and packed snow traction along with overall capability. I like the WinterContact SI for sportier cars like the Camaro because it handles the best among the three. Putting it altogether I would recommend that Bernie go with 235/50R18 Continental WinterContact SIs on 18x8 ET 32 Sport Edition P2 wheels.  

Bright Silver 18x8 ET 32 Sport Edition P2 $128
Bright Silver 18x8 ET 32 Sport Edition P2Anthracite  18x8 ET 32 Sport Edition P2 $128
Anthracite 18x8 ET 32 Sport Edition P2235/50-18 Studless Ice and Snow Continental Wintercontact SI $151.45
235/50R18 Studless Ice and Snow Continental Wintercontact SI 

PERFORMANCE WINTER TIRE PACKAGE

With Bernie from Buffalo taken care of, let's move south to advise Louisa from Louisville. Louisa loves how her 2016 Red Hot Camaro SS hugs the curves as she's charging through open country roads. We wouldn't be surprised to find her revving that LT1 V8 as she impatiently waits for the light to turn green. For her better winter weather, more powerful chassis and enthusiast inclinations, I would recommend staying with a Performance Winter / Snow tire in O.E. widths. I like Pirelli Winter Sotto Series 3 because in performed well in wet and ice testing for its category. Taking all these factors into consideration, I would tell Louisa to go with the Pirelli Winter Sotto Series 3 in the 245/45R19 front and 275/40R19 rear tandem. For wheels, I like the O.Z. Racing Cortina in the 19x9 ET 26 front and 19x10 ET 40.

19x9 & 19x10 Black OZ Cortina
19x9 & 19x10 Black O.Z. Racing Cortina19x9 & 19x10 Machined With Anthracite Accent OZ Cortina
19x9 & 19x10 Machined with Anthracite O.Z. Racing Cortina245/45-19 Front & 275/40-19 Rear Performance Winter Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
245/45R19 Front & 275/40R19 Rear Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3


Are you more like Bernie or Louisa? Your ideal winter package might be very similar to the above suggestions or it might incorporate some of both. Consider how bad your local weather is, what performance comprises you're willing to make and how much snow proficiency you need.

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