[jake14mw]

Hi all,

New 2017 Premier owner. I am planning on buying new snow tires for it, and swapping them on and off the stock rims every winter and spring. So, I thought I would check here to see if I could save some money by buying either snow tires, rims, or preferably both from someone. Either Premier or LT rims would be fine. Would also consider other rims too. Thanks,

Mark

 

[Duke Woolworth]

Tirerack will supply you with mounted and balanced snow tires on steel wheels for a really good price. Better than having your factory wheels degraded by salt, and less expensive in the end than switching tires twice a year on your aluminum wheels.

 

[Packard V8]

There are many more Cruze, Sonic, Spark, et al, 5 x 105 mm ET 44 wheels out there which will fit and in 16" size give more affordable choices in snow tires.

At present, we're using 16" Cruze steel wheels which we found on craigslist for $100 the set.

jack vines

 

[jake14mw]

Thanks to both of you for your replies. In the past, we had an AWD SUV that we used when it snowed. So, I didn't even put snow tires on our cars. Now, I have two kids that have fairly long daily commutes, and no SUV. I am going to be doing searching here to see how people handle snow tire changeovers. I noticed that one of the big tire shops in our area lists on their website - "free winter tire changeover". When I called, they said, "yes, the tire changeover is free, you just need to pay the $59 balancing fee!

 

[jake14mw]

There are many more Cruze, Sonic, Spark, et al, 5 x 105 mm ET 44 wheels out there which will fit and in 16" size give more affordable choices in snow tires.

At present, we're using 16" Cruze steel wheels which we found on craigslist for $100 the set.

jack vines

Thanks for that. I never even thought of using different size rims. So what you are saying is that I can use smaller rims and tires that have a taller sidewall to get them back to the same effective diameter?

 

[Plaj]

Thanks for that. I never even thought of using different size rims. So what you are saying is that I can use smaller rims and tires that have a taller sidewall to get them back to the same effective diameter?

You can indeed. You can even use 15 inch wheels if you really want, see this thread and probably others: My 15" Sonic Steel Wheel + 205/65-15 ~$145 spare...

Downsizing the wheel for winter has several advantages: cheaper tires and more sidewall to absorb bumps over bad pavement. Calculators like www.tiresize.com can tell you the diameter difference between different tire sizes.

 

[Packard V8]

Thanks for that. I never even thought of using different size rims. So what you are saying is that I can use smaller rims and tires that have a taller sidewall to get them back to the same effective diameter?

Yes, a search here will find a dozen threads where this has been discussed.

jack vines

 

[w4rh4wkx]

i'm in CT too.... i debated buying a snow tire set too...this is my first winter with the car too, i found a bunch of videos of bolts running the stock tires and driving in the snow without issue... i'm going to chance it this year and see how it goes

 

[Packard V8]

i'm in CT too.... i debated buying a snow tire set too...this is my first winter with the car too, i found a bunch of videos of bolts running the stock tires and driving in the snow without issue... i'm going to chance it this year and see how it goes

Our Bolt parks in the garage and charges every night unattended, but I'm nowhere, no how brave enough to drive on the OEM Michelins in winter. Your results may vary, but come January, if you haven't posted in a while . . . .

jack vines

 

[DAC17]

I've had Blizzaks (WS-80) for the last two years in Central CT, and the car is very stable in snow. Only problem is clearance, but by and large I don't go out in 6"+ of snow. It gets cleared quickly enough. I got winter wheels. By the time you change the tires over and back off the stock wheels three times, you've paid for the additional set. And it saves wear on the stockers.

 

[jake14mw]

i'm in CT too.... i debated buying a snow tire set too...this is my first winter with the car too, i found a bunch of videos of bolts running the stock tires and driving in the snow without issue... i'm going to chance it this year and see how it goes

I have always trusted myself to do that, but now it's two kids that have to make a decent commutes daily, I have make it safer for them.

 

[mar0309]

i'm in CT too.... i debated buying a snow tire set too...this is my first winter with the car too, i found a bunch of videos of bolts running the stock tires and driving in the snow without issue... i'm going to chance it this year and see how it goes

Let us know how it goes. I have a 2020 Bolt and live in Virginia. They almost never treat the streets here in the winter, so I am looking around for options.

 

[Bolt4now]

I bought a 2017 premier last year and ran on the stock Michelin tires since I didn't have time to look for wheels and tires before winter happened. First serious snow storm and I found out just how dangerous these tires are in snow. Had to turn off traction control just to take off from a stop some times. I have since picked up a set of chevy cruze eco wheels for $150 and mounted a set of general Altimax winter tires. Haven't had much snow yet but I am looking forward to my first snowy commute.

 

[Boltmobile]

Hi all,

New 2017 Premier owner. I am planning on buying new snow tires for it, and swapping them on and off the stock rims every winter and spring. So, I thought I would check here to see if I could save some money by buying either snow tires, rims, or preferably both from someone. Either Premier or LT rims would be fine. Would also consider other rims too. Thanks,

Mark

I live in quebec and use only one set of tires all year round. I currently have the michelin pilot alpin PA4 tires that i have been using all year including summer and going on my 2nd winter, they still have more than enough thread left.
Tyre reviews that do independent tire tests has reached about the same conclusion.
5:00 min in here

Here is what tyre reviews says (combining several tyre reviews videos)
If you have just a few days of snow each year: 4 season "snowflakes" tires can handle winters with minimum tradeoffs (michelin crossclimate 2 tires are between 75% and 100% of what michelin x-ice snow tires can do)
If you have more than a few days of snow each year: performance winter tires are the one that can handle 4 seasons (for instance continental ts 870p and michelin pilot alpin 5)

 

[jake14mw]

Couldn't figure out how to mark this to Found, but I did find a set of steelies and snow tires. Thanks.