Steel Winter Wheels

[Medicman]

Here is their website (map included as well)

http://www.mazda.ca/dealer/DealerInfo.asp?DealerID=249&lang=Eng

Thanks..I'll look it up!!

 

[canadianexpress]

CE,

Is it the Steelies that are hard to get off?? or are you talking about the ALU rims? I just had my tires rotated (with my 8k il change) and they seemed to come off pretty easy. I think some anti-seaze compound might be in order on the hub before the rims are installed to prevent the rims from sticking to the hubs

I only had experience with the steelies so far, when I did the change over in the spring time. Will post the info when I take off the original in the fall.

 

[bulwnkl]

One of my OEM aluminum alloys (rear) needed my bashing utensil (most people call it a mini-sledge) to remove after only a couple thousand miles on the odometer.

 

[PolarBear]

I think I'll get a "cheap" alloy wheels from TireRack. The steel wheels are not much cheaper and personally I don't like look without hubcaps. The cheapest alloy wheel will run around $90 per wheel vs steel around 50$ + hubcaps.

 

[canadianexpress]

I think I'll get a "cheap" alloy wheels from TireRack. The steel wheels are not much cheaper and personally I don't like look without hubcaps. The cheapest alloy wheel will run around $90 per wheel vs steel around 50$ + hubcaps.

With the winter steelies, usually don't recommend hub caps. It create problems by retaining the salt in those crevices. Also if you do get alloys (or steelies) make sure they are hub centric. If they are not, they can cause the rotors to warp.

 

[PolarBear]

With the winter steelies, usually don't recommend hub caps. It create problems by retaining the salt in those crevices. Also if you do get alloys (or steelies) make sure they are hub centric. If they are not, they can cause the rotors to warp.

You're right about hubcaps for winter. I just don't like the look. As for alloy wheels I think it's very difficult to get alloy wheels that are hub centric unless you go with OEM that way too expensive.

 

[canadianexpress]

You're right about hubcaps for winter. I just don't like the look. As for alloy wheels I think it's very difficult to get alloy wheels that are hub centric unless you go with OEM that way too expensive.

I believe they have the hub rings to fix that problem for the alloys, but cannot use these rings on the steelies because the is no place to fit them.

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

POLARBEAR

Here is shot with steelies and hubcaps got to love it....

 

[canadianexpress]

POLARBEAR

Here is shot with steelies and hubcaps got to love it....

Nokians very nice, how much did they cost?

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Installed, balenced just over a grand.... best tires I have ever owned. I bet they will out last life of my 5

 

[Xman]

Installed, balenced just over a grand.... best tires I have ever owned. I bet they will out last life of my 5

What did Mazda do about the TPMS? Did you purchase new sensors for your steelies or did you simply have the dash light on for the whole winter?

 

[was98strat]

What did Mazda do about the TPMS? Did you purchase new sensors for your steelies or did you simply have the dash light on for the whole winter?

Huh?? The Mazda 5 has no TPMS system. Or at least the Canadian Spec one don't

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

no TPMS here ... Mazda canada is just implementing on B-Series for 2007.

 

[Xman]

no TPMS here ... Mazda canada is just implementing on B-Series for 2007.

I just assumed that the 5 had a TPMs since there was a section on it in the manual...

 

[was98strat]

I just assumed that the 5 had a TPMs since there was a section on it in the manual...

The manual is very generic It mentions things like:

TPMS
NAV
Mini Dics players ( really who still owns one of those)
Cassette Players ( really who still owns one of those)
and I think Diesel Engines (I would love to have the 2.0 Diesel!)

none of which we have

 

[HotDog88GT]

The biggest problem I see with the Mazda wheels is they are Hub centric. Most steelies seem to be lug centric. My dicussion with Mazda mechanics, they indicated that the design of their hubs and wheels make a hub centric wheel a better fit than a "universal wheel. Unfortunately it makes the steelies a bit more expensive as they have to be made more accurately.

Please define hub-centric versus lug-centric. Isn't it enough that the wheel offset and the lug pattern matches?

I just fitted a set of 16" steel wheels with snows from Tire Rack on my new 06. It was plain to see that the stock 17" wheels mount to the hub flat surfaces to flat surface. I can see why some people have trouble getting the wheels off after they've been on for a time. I'll be sure to use a generous amount of anti-sieze when I put the stocks back on.

The steel wheels are not flat on the mounting side - they're a general purpose wheel. The areas surrounding the holes on the wheel are raised a bit and only make contact with the hub around the bolt areas. Another difference is that they weigh more.

 

[smmra]

From what I understand, non-hub centric wheels (multifit) allow the weight of the vehicle to be supported by the bolts alone, instead of the hub......

 

[HotDog88GT]

From what I understand, non-hub centric wheels (multifit) allow the weight of the vehicle to be supported by the bolts alone, instead of the hub......

Found article. Hub-centric wheels have a machined area on the inside that fits the hub, centering the wheel, rather than relying on the lugs to center the wheel on the hub. The word for lug-centric wheels is to tighten the wheel lugs well enough with weight off wheels so the wheel doesn't shift up when the car comes off the jack.

For non-OEM wheels that don't match up to the hub there are hub adapter rings. You just have to know which size to get, if any. See the bottom of this page...http://www.leadfreewheels.org/101.shtml

 

[86439]

OE-fit steel rims

In the search of proper 16" steel wheels for Mazda 5, my local Costco quoted me an OE-fit product (part# x44655).

I don't know what source it was, but it was not a multi-fit steel rim. I'm also not sure if it was hub centric, but it appeared to be specifically for Mazda.

Can anyone verify if this is the proper hub-centric steels for Mazda 5, to be used with 205-55R16?

 

[zr27]

In the search of proper 16" steel wheels for Mazda 5, my local Costco quoted me an OE-fit product (part# x44655).

I don't know what source it was, but it was not a multi-fit steel rim. I'm also not sure if it was hub centric, but it appeared to be specifically for Mazda.

Can anyone verify if this is the proper hub-centric steels for Mazda 5, to be used with 205-55R16?

Anyone have an answer to this question? With December around the corner, the time to order the correct wheel whether steel, alloy, hub-centric or not is getting short.