Wheels in winter

[Audiopulse]

How many people on here keep their aftermarket wheels on year round in snowy states? I have a set of miro 111's but I still need tires. I probably won't have the cash for tires for another month or so and then summer is basically over :frown:. I don't want to wait until spring that's too long. How much damage could a little salt on the roads cause? I'd be using all season tires and it would go through a car wash a few times a month.

 

[steveo17]

just have to be meticulous with cleaning if you care about keeping your wheels show quality looking. i switch mine for 2 reasons, 1. summer tires dont work in the winter 2. i have high polished lips on my wheels which would get destroyed by the salt

 

[SuperSkyline89]

Don't run anything with bare metal. If they're painted they'll be fine, stock Detroits are clear coated and they don't get damaged at all. Not sure how powdercoat holds up.

 

[Viru5]

That's why I kept my stocks I wouldn't dare run nice wheels in winter especially how much salt they throw down around here.

 

[gerrywac]

In Germany which can get pretty cold and have a lot of snow alloy wheels have never been as popular as standard fit as they are in other markets and I presume this is in part due to the damage that salt and grit can do to alloys if not looked after carefully.

It has always been quite common for people who like alloys to have a wide set for most of the year and a set of narrow ( for better grip on snow and slush and often poor visual condition) steel rims shod with winter tyres.

Recently the law was changed to make the fitting of winter or "all-weather" tyres during the winter months (even for foreign visitors) compulsory on safety grounds with hefty penalties for non compliance.

I gather that tyre specialists do a nice business in swapping over tyres for winter use or storing winter sets over the rest of the year for folks who don't have a big garage.

I know my German cousin has a set of winter shod steel wheels stacked in the back of her garage

 

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

TE37s wrapped with Continental DW tires all year round!

 

[SuperSkyline89]

TE37s wrapped with Continental DW tires all year round!

Really? You run them in the winter?

What are winters like in Narnia?

 

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

Really? You run them in the winter?

What are winters like in Narnia?

Yep.

Winters in Narnia are magical. It snows but the ground under my car is always dry.

 

[SuperSkyline89]

Do they use road salt there? That's really the only thing I'd be afraid of. I can't use my wheel bolts anywhere near it becuase the caps are aluminum and the bolts are steel, I was told they'd seaze if I did.

 

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

Do they use road salt there? That's really the only thing I'd be afraid of. I can't use my wheel bolts anywhere near it becuase the caps are aluminum and the bolts are steel, I was told they'd seaze if I did.

Oh shit, sorry you thought I was serious.

I live in California. There's no such thing as winter or snow here. The worst we get is some rain.

 

[SuperSkyline89]

Oh ok lol. I wish there was somewhere in Canada with weather like California, I'd move in a heartbeat.

 

[the bruce]

I wouldn't run any steels even in the winter. Alloys are cheap these days.
However, I would not run Detroits or any other clear coated wheel in the
winter though. 1. Clear coat is not as resistant to stone chips. Earlier or
later this will cause some damage, and salt will do the rest. 2. It is a pain
to repair clear coted will, as you first will have to turn the wheel on a lathe
before repainting for a like-new finish. Regular painted wheels aren't any
issue at all. Just visit a paint shop.

Recently the law was changed to make the fitting of winter or "all-weather" tyres during the winter months (even for foreign visitors) compulsory on safety grounds with hefty penalties for non compliance.

No big deal at all. Guess it's just 10 €, and even just hyothetically, as no
police will ever look after your tires as long as you don't have an accident.
Admittedly, more people run dedicated winters since, which without any
doubt is good.. :wink:
Before, one idiot on summers was enough, to stop the whole traffic.