Who is switching to winter tires and steel wheels?

[nickswhip24]

Anyone in the northeast doing the steel wheel and winter tire change? I was thinking to size down to a 17" wheel with some snow tires for winter...Any suggestions?

Thank you!

CX-5 Carbon

 

[D.O]

This is not a bad deal from tirerack, $1000 after rebate. I just got 17x7.5 alloys for $300 more, I wanted the lightness over steel.

 

[N7turbo]

I'm in the Midwest and will be continuing to use my ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus since they are still new.

 

[sm1ke]

I've had good experiences with the Michelin Xice and Bridgestone Blizzak lines. I have yet to try Nokian Hakkapeliittas but I hear those are one of the best for ice and snow. The Blizzak DM-V2s I had on my last CX-9 were great for the 6 seasons I used them, and I probably could have gone another 2 or 3 seasons before replacing them.

I would recommend against steel wheels though. Go for a cheaper aftermarket 17" alloy wheel instead. Steel wheels end up developing visible surface rust after a couple of years, and they can be really heavy.

 

[yieldchase]

I rock 17" steelies on Blizzaks with some dope hub caps from Walmart. I wire wheel and paint them from time to time.

 

[stickerbush]

What would be the best 17" winter tire size? 215/70 or 225/65 ?

 

[N7turbo]

What would be the best 17" winter tire size? 215/70 or 225/65 ?

Stick with 225.

 

[nickswhip24]

I've had good experiences with the Michelin Xice and Bridgestone Blizzak lines. I have yet to try Nokian Hakkapeliittas but I hear those are one of the best for ice and snow. The Blizzak DM-V2s I had on my last CX-9 were great for the 6 seasons I used them, and I probably could have gone another 2 or 3 seasons before replacing them.

I would recommend against steel wheels though. Go for a cheaper aftermarket 17" alloy wheel instead. Steel wheels end up developing visible surface rust after a couple of years, and they can be really heavy.

good info- i wasn't thinking on the weight...does the switch to smaller rims cause you any trouble

 

[sm1ke]

good info- i wasn't thinking on the weight...does the switch to smaller rims cause you any trouble

17" is about the smallest you can go with the CX-5 turbo due to the bigger brakes up front. For the CX-5 N/A, the brakes are a bit smaller so you might be able to go to 16, but don't quote me on that. Hopefully someone else can confirm.

 

[careditor]

Anyone in the northeast doing the steel wheel and winter tire change? I was thinking to size down to a 17" wheel with some snow tires for winter...Any suggestions?

Thank you!

CX-5 Carbon

I live on the West Coast. Swap out street for snows on alloys. Michelin X-Ice are my favorites. I do a lot of tire testing on my '18 CX-5 Grand Touring: MSN

 

[Lazy2.5]

I live on the West Coast. Swap out street for snows on alloys. Michelin X-Ice are my favorites. I do a lot of tire testing on my '18 CX-5 Grand Touring: MSN

I bought a set of winter wheels in good condition with xi3's mounted on. Tread is at 8/9-32nds, but the tires build date is 2016. I decided to take a chance on them this winter. How do you think they will fare?

 

[careditor]

I bought a set of winter wheels in good condition with xi3's mounted on. Tread is at 8/9-32nds, but the tires build date is 2016. I decided to take a chance on them this winter. How do you think they will fare?

That’s at the outer life span of a tire. But if the tread blocks still show deep enough siping to hold snow, and the rubber remains soft/pliable below freezing, they should be useable for one more season. A good article on tread depth at Tire Rack: https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-ga...5yiF7KQMZvpuxPaeGZLtv4cszerjfAnRoC1CIQAvD_BwE