All-seasons aren't going to cut it. Your best bet is to get another set of rims mounted with snow tires.
Are all seasons worth it?
I should start out by saying I have a 2013 WRX hatch not an sti
I have been trying to read up on here on what people do for tires in the winter months. Im thinking about just going with all seasons on my stock rims so save all the hassle of changing rims and TPMSs. Will all seasons be ok for normal DD driving? No plans to track the car or anything like that just looking to not store an extra set of tires. Livin in ND I see some pretty harsh winters not sure how well all seasons work in a few inches of snow.
I have been trying to read up on here on what people do for tires in the winter months. Im thinking about just going with all seasons on my stock rims so save all the hassle of changing rims and TPMSs. Will all seasons be ok for normal DD driving? No plans to track the car or anything like that just looking to not store an extra set of tires. Livin in ND I see some pretty harsh winters not sure how well all seasons work in a few inches of snow.
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In light snow All seasons are fine so long as you know how to drive in the snow which I assume you do. If you get more severe winter weather which I am guessing you do judging by your location I would suggest Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 tires
Is it cheeper to have an extra set of snow tires to mount on stock rims or extra rims with tires already mounted to them? i have read the threads about the TPMS and reseting them yourself and stuff, but cost numbers never show up in the treads. how much does it cost to switch rims if im not worrying about the TPMS?
you will 100% need snow tires. if you like the stock wheels for 3 out of the 4 seasons, just keep your summers mounted to them. you can probably find a set of cheap used GR or GD wrx wheels on nasioc. your bolt pattern is 5x100. including used wheels and new tires, you should not have to spend more than $800
Definitely judging by your location you'll need snow tires. For many people I'd say good performance all seasons would work just fine. They would work well in Tennessee but probably not for you. I'm planning on getting some winters to swap on so I can drive it do go skiing but I will only use the stock wheels.
I traded my wrx in for an sti and have a great set of winter rims sitting in my garage tire rack if you are interested shoot me a pm for a great deal. Mounted and balanced but no tpms in great shape. They made a world of difference over the all seasons that were on the car.
We are going to do a similar thing with our shop STi. I have wheels coming today and we are going to mount performance summer tires to them. No TPMS sensors. We then are going to mount Bliozzaks to the OEM wheels and leave the TPMS. Reason for that is with the cold weather Im more worried about the low pressure. Ill keep an eye on the summer ones anyway.I should start out by saying I have a 2013 WRX hatch not an sti
I have been trying to read up on here on what people do for tires in the winter months. Im thinking about just going with all seasons on my stock rims so save all the hassle of changing rims and TPMSs. Will all seasons be ok for normal DD driving? No plans to track the car or anything like that just looking to not store an extra set of tires. Livin in ND I see some pretty harsh winters not sure how well all seasons work in a few inches of snow.
I agree with everyone though. Winter tires and summer tires are better then some all seasons. No matter the car.
So buying cheap stock wheels with snow tires is cheaper than just have snow tires to put on current stock wheels. Is that because of mounting and balancing and all that?
Yeah Ive always been a fan of the second set of wheels. Just makes things easier too. Unless you work a deal with a tire place you spend probably around 15 - 20 per wheel each time you switch. Plus have to lug the ties each time.So buying cheap stock wheels with snow tires is cheaper than just have snow tires to put on current stock wheels. Is that because of mounting and balancing and all that?
If you just have a second set you can walk outside, jack the car up, switch and go
gonna disagree with most (but not all) people here. I ran Nokian WRG2's all year last year on my stock 18inch BBS's. Had no trouble in as much as 8 inches of snow. Nokians are truly remarkable in bad weather and these are severe weather rated. Michelin's Alpin PA4 is probably similarly good (copied Nokian in the design) If you are not tracking and enjoy a little bit of softening of the cars very harsh stock impact jarring you will love the tires. They are not squishy or squirmy but will make the ride far more refined and enjoyable imo. They are V-rated and they work in rain and in deep snow. Dry performance is excellent. They are nokians and they cost a bit more, but still less than a whole new set of wheels and tires.
I've also had very good experience with Nokian tires run year round in Colorado. I would also disagree with some of the other opinions here that you NEED or MUST HAVE snow tires. They will hands down perform better in the snow, that much isn't up for debate, but can you still enjoy the car and get around just fine in a set of all season tires? Yes. No doubt. It isn't the best solution and you'll sacrifice overall performance across the board but you can get away with just one set of tires and wheels that way.
These Michelin A/S 3 tires are new but test and review very well.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS+3+%28W-+or+Y-Speed+Rated%29
The Nokians referred to above are also a great choice:
Nokian WRG2
Pirelli makes a decent all season as well:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+Nero+All+Season
Just be aware that you're sacrificing handling, performance, and traction ACROSS THE BOARD. But if you're a rather conservative driver, in dry weather your WRX will still put a smile on your face up the on-ramp wtih A/S tires and you didn't shell out $1500-2k for another set of tires/wheels/tmps (or not tpms). Granted, if you're resourceful and thrifty they can be had for less.
Only YOU can assess your winter driving needs. If you will frequently (several times a month even) need to drive in more than a few inches of snow, or in icy conditions - consider getting dedicated snow tires and wheels. They're safer and more fun.
These Michelin A/S 3 tires are new but test and review very well.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS+3+%28W-+or+Y-Speed+Rated%29
The Nokians referred to above are also a great choice:
Nokian WRG2
Pirelli makes a decent all season as well:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+Nero+All+Season
Just be aware that you're sacrificing handling, performance, and traction ACROSS THE BOARD. But if you're a rather conservative driver, in dry weather your WRX will still put a smile on your face up the on-ramp wtih A/S tires and you didn't shell out $1500-2k for another set of tires/wheels/tmps (or not tpms). Granted, if you're resourceful and thrifty they can be had for less.
Only YOU can assess your winter driving needs. If you will frequently (several times a month even) need to drive in more than a few inches of snow, or in icy conditions - consider getting dedicated snow tires and wheels. They're safer and more fun.
lol offtopic but i remember i took my GR WRX with the summer dunlops in 2 inches of snow a few winters ago. horrible haha :lol:
Like most have advised. Its always best to have summer tires and winter tires. This combination give you the best cornering traction and braking traction in the summer and the best snow and ice traction in the winter.
However there are still some customers who tend prefer a tire they can drive year around. If this is the case the two more popular options are the Conti Extreme DWS or the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 3.
However there are still some customers who tend prefer a tire they can drive year around. If this is the case the two more popular options are the Conti Extreme DWS or the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 3.
I'm hoping to be in the same position as this poster soon (ordering my STI this weekend). If I go with a second set of rims, can (or should) I go down to 17" or are the rotors too big or will there not be enough ventilation?
Thanks in advance,
John
Thanks in advance,
John
Replacing the Dunlop’s with Michelin A/S 3s tomorrow. Got 1300 on the stock tires, drove in the rain twice, and that was enough for me. Not to worried about snow (Seattle Area gets at most 2 weeks a year) but rain is another story...
You are going to love the AS3............300 miles on mine so far.Replacing the Dunlop’s with Michelin A/S 3s tomorrow. Got 1300 on the stock tires, drove in the rain twice, and that was enough for me. Not to worried about snow (Seattle Area gets at most 2 weeks a year) but rain is another story...
Just got them on. Much quieter. ..
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 4
Wrx hatch owner here too. Went with my stock summer tires from nov/dec till late march/april and then i switch back to my summer tires. I just bought a nice 16" sparco assetta gara and blizzaks and I love it. Just purchase a tpsm for the extra set and your set.
I change the wheels myself using the jack that comes with the car, doesnt even take long. Then i take my car to the dealer and they link the car to the tpsm and your good to go!
Also as im sure you know, tirerack is the place to go. They balance your wheels and basically set up everything for you. Good luck!
I change the wheels myself using the jack that comes with the car, doesnt even take long. Then i take my car to the dealer and they link the car to the tpsm and your good to go!
Also as im sure you know, tirerack is the place to go. They balance your wheels and basically set up everything for you. Good luck!
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