When should I put on winter wheels living on the east coast of the USA

"71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors" (adamprotter)
08/14/2016 at 22:27 • Filed to: None

Also, recommendations for winter tires? I’m thinking Pilot Alpin PA4.

DISCUSSION (24)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:33

Where on the east coast? Generally @thanksgiving. Maine/Vermont/northern New York maybe earlier

cbell04 > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:33

East coast is to vague. I used to live in western ny and we rocked winter rims/tires from November to April but now I’m in nc and have zero use so summer tires all year round.

whoarder is tellurium > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:34

When the temperatures are predominantly “near” freezing and there are initial threats of rain. This could be 40s during the day and 30s at night.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:35

So are you in Florida or Maine?

Needmoargarage > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:38

I wouldn’t go off a date range, rather temperature. Look at the manufacturer’s recommendation for max ambient temp they should be used in. I usually switch the cars over to winter tires when lows get below freezing and we start getting our first light snows.

Dusty Ventures > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:39

My plan, which I do only because I have a good jack, a good impact gun, and can do a full swap in under ten minutes, is to put the snows on when the weatherman says “snow,” and take them off when it’s melted. I’ve got Blizzaks, and while they’re the best snow tires around short of Yoko AO34's, they do not last long, especially on tarmac. So swapping them out when I don’t need them will hopefully get me an extra season or two.

Of course if you're on full summers that's not an option anyway, because those things are hockey pucks when it gets cold.

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:40

They aint cheap, but Nokians are the shit

jvirgs drives a Subaru > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:41

Where are you at on the east coast? That will be the determinant of if you even need winter tires or just a decent set of all seasons.

cbell04 > cbell04
08/14/2016 at 22:43

Also I rocked blizzaks for 4 years and then dunlop graspic’s for another 4 and they were both great but I lived in the snow belt averaging 100+ inches a year. Loved them both.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:48

Very few people in the metro dc area appear to even bother and everything shuts down once we have an imminent snowpocalypse. I honestly don’t even care enough to run them as a school teacher. You don’t want to be out with all the people who have no idea how to drive in the slushy nonsense anyway.

dogisbadob > Dusty Ventures
08/14/2016 at 22:54

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

don’t use an impact gun :(

dogisbadob > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:55

The PA4 is a fine choice.

I guess like the end of November is a good time to switch, like Thanksgiving weekend. Leave them on through March.

XJDano > dogisbadob
08/14/2016 at 22:57

Unless impact for removal only.

I use a cordless impact, but just get them snug, drop the weight on tires then use wrench.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 22:57

When: once temps are around freezing is a good indicator, but I make the call based on whether or not snow is actually lasting on the ground. I always make the change after the first snowfall, gambling that the first snowfall won’t be severe.

As far as tires go: Blizzak. Even in the 50cm snow days we had last winter in Ottawa I loved how well these tires worked. I would gladly buy these again based on their performance.

Dusty Ventures > dogisbadob
08/14/2016 at 23:11

Impact is to get them off. I use a torque wrench when putting them back on

XJDano > Dusty Ventures
08/14/2016 at 23:18

We're no dummies.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/14/2016 at 23:33

I’m my family we typically put them on in November. I had Blizzaks on the Outback which were great. I honestly don’t know what I have for the Mini as I haven’t really looked closely at them ( I only looked at them enough to determine that the rims are ugly and will need to be replaced at some point). I think they are newer Blizzaks compared to what we have for the Outback (the outbacks set is 4 or 5 years old vs the minis which were purchased in December). My mom has ice-x? On her legacy which are great in the winter but awful when there is actually snow on the ground. My dad has Nokian Hakkapeliita 8s on his BRZ which are just gnarly but you should check your local laws before running studded tires.

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > cbell04
08/14/2016 at 23:35

I’m in New Haven, CT.

shop-teacher > XJDano
08/14/2016 at 23:35

That’s how I do it as well.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Dusty Ventures
08/14/2016 at 23:40

I’ve been using x-Ice’s the past few seasons, before I had Blizzaks and the x-Ice’s are far better in my opinion.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > gin-san - shitpost specialist
08/14/2016 at 23:42

I use to believe in Blizzaks, then I bought my Sonic and the it had came with almost new x-Ices xi3s. The Blizzaks where good, but the x-Ice’s owned them.

bob and john > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/15/2016 at 01:26

Michilens snow stuff isnt that great tbh.

Look at marangonni winter performance tires, or blizzaks

71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors > Dusty Ventures
08/15/2016 at 08:43

I’m currently on summer tires as I just moved to CT from CA, and am currently experiencing rain on a regular basis for the first time.

Brian Silvestro > 71MGBGT Likes Subarus of Unusual Colors
08/15/2016 at 15:30

Wait until there is literally snow outside. I made the mistake of not doing it, and wasted a lot of tread driving on cold (but not snow covered) roads.