Winter Tire Set Up Suggestions?

Harbour-man · 09-23-2014, 07:23 PM

I'm sure if I search through this site for hours I could find the information I'm looking for, but I'm just lazy. So, that being said, it would be greatly appreciated if a few people could suggest a Rim and Tire package for my 2012 370z.
I live on the shoreline of CT. We don't get a lot of snow, usually, but it is often wet and icy.
I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but I do realize I will need some 18inch rims to fit bliztecs on. The Rears need to be wider than the front I believe.
Thanks for any help I receive.

No, I can't afford another car or truck right now. Bought the G/F a 2009 Altima, and she can drive me around if it gets bad.

TreeSemdyZee · 09-24-2014, 07:07 PM

I bought a rim and tire package from TireRack a few years ago. 225 50/18.

Everything was included. Wheels, tires (Bridgestone Blizzaks), balanced, lugs and hub-centric rings.
Been using them since early 2010.

GetYourWheels · 09-24-2014, 07:53 PM

We do winter packages as well, I can put together a wheel + winter tire + tpms (if you want it) package mounted balanced and shipped ready to go on the car!
Just let me know what you're looking for and I can help you out!

osbornsm · 09-26-2014, 02:48 PM

Save yourself lots of trouble and worrying about which wheels will fit over your brakes. Buy the OEM 18" wheels... the five spoke... and put 245/45/18 on all four of them.

I'd recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks if you're worrying about LOTS of snow.

18" oem wheels are easy to pick up a set for $500 shipped !

Harbour-man · 09-27-2014, 12:52 PM

I didn't think about OEM 18" , thanks.

tweZ74 · 09-29-2014, 10:59 PM

Question for winter tire users. What month do most of you in the Chicago area install your winter setup? Getting ready to buy my winter tires, but wanted to postpone the purchase as long as possible. I have a 2.7 mile daily commute. Thanks!

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TreeSemdyZee · 09-29-2014, 11:36 PM

Isn't the prescribed changeover in Chicago somewhere around July 4th?

tweZ74 · 09-30-2014, 06:43 AM

Haha! I've noticed some slipping after harder launches at the lights as of yesterday with temps in the low 50s in the AM.

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osbornsm · 09-30-2014, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweZ74

Question for winter tire users. What month do most of you in the Chicago area install your winter setup? Getting ready to buy my winter tires, but wanted to postpone the purchase as long as possible. I have a 2.7 mile daily commute.

You'll be fine on summers until it gets to about 35F. Then summer tires are just dangerous.

2c

Coon-azz · 10-04-2014, 03:17 PM

If you're gonna drive in more than just a dusting, I'd recommend a square setup with 18" and winter tires. The difference was night and day when going to a smaller tire. I drove mine with that set up in about 5" with no issues. Keep in mind that when I'm driving in the winter, my driving styled changed to "getting from point A to point B. Once spring hit and I was back to summer tires it was very different.. After about 5" the car just becomes a snow plow

tweZ74 · 10-04-2014, 03:48 PM

Good info! Thank you! I'm going to go with the Blizaks on 4 squares as you suggested. Otherwise my 2.7 mile commute to the train each day may become the commute of death!

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TreeSemdyZee · 10-04-2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweZ74

Good info! Thank you! I'm going to go with the Blizaks on 4 squares as you suggested. Otherwise my 2.7 mile commute to the train each day may become the commute of death!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You won't be disappointed. More than likely, you be surprised how well this car works in the snow.

tweZ74 · 11-03-2014, 01:51 PM

Finally order my tires today! Went the affordable route and picked up the 18x8 ANDROS Spec G MGS in matte graphite silver. Any tools/recommendations for the first time DIY tire swap?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

kenchan · 11-03-2014, 02:07 PM

yah after you torque your lugs, go back and retorque it after 10miles or so of driving as lugs tend to back out after the initial tighening.

this time of year i see wheels falling off people's cars issues....

ZeeBabar · 11-03-2014, 06:40 PM

Is four square better than the set up on the sports package? Since I do not want to purchase additional wheels, I am getting the Blizzaks, different front and rear sizes. The 4 cost about $1150 plus shipping.

Since I live in the lower Midwest, where it really does not snow much (about 20 inches a year) but slush and ice are common. Is another tire preferable under the lesser conditions?

I will place an order this week.

09-24-2014, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I bought a rim and tire package from TireRack a few years ago. 225 50/18. Everything was included. Wheels, tires (Bridgestone Blizzaks), balanced, lugs and hub-centric rings. Been using them since early 2010. Harbour-man likes this. Last edited by TreeSemdyZee; 09-24-2014 at 09:33 PM.

09-24-2014, 07:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
GetYourWheels A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,816 Drives: 2011 BMW M3 Rep Power: 21	We do winter packages as well, I can put together a wheel + winter tire + tpms (if you want it) package mounted balanced and shipped ready to go on the car! Just let me know what you're looking for and I can help you out! __________________ Email : Eddie@GetYourWheels.com \| Tel: (562)249-7184 \| Your Wheel Fitment Specialist / Wheel & Tire Deal via DM Top Tiers Dealers - Avant-Garde / Forgestar / Rohana / Stance / Vossen + More https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...de6886f7a7.jpg

09-26-2014, 02:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
osbornsm A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: WHAT Posts: 2,551 Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Rep Power: 424	Save yourself lots of trouble and worrying about which wheels will fit over your brakes. Buy the OEM 18" wheels... the five spoke... and put 245/45/18 on all four of them. I'd recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks if you're worrying about LOTS of snow. 18" oem wheels are easy to pick up a set for $500 shipped ! Silly Rabbit and Harbour-man like this. __________________ 2018 Camaro SS 1LE (455hp) - 2011 Nissan 370z (333hp) - 2004 VW R32 (240hp) - 2000 Civic Si (160hp)

09-27-2014, 12:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Harbour-man Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6 Drives: 12 370Z Touring/ Sp Rep Power: 11	Thanks For the Suggestions I didn't think about OEM 18" , thanks. osbornsm likes this.

10-04-2014, 03:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Coon-azz Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fredericksburg,VA Posts: 689 Drives: '12 370z Sport DD Rep Power: 14	If you're gonna drive in more than just a dusting, I'd recommend a square setup with 18" and winter tires. The difference was night and day when going to a smaller tire. I drove mine with that set up in about 5" with no issues. Keep in mind that when I'm driving in the winter, my driving styled changed to "getting from point A to point B. Once spring hit and I was back to summer tires it was very different.. After about 5" the car just becomes a snow plow __________________ I don't care how slow you want to drive; I encourage it. JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF THE PASSING LANE YOU TUCK FARD!!!

09-29-2014, 10:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
tweZ74 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 25 Drives: 2014 370z Touring Rep Power: 11	Question for winter tire users. What month do most of you in the Chicago area install your winter setup? Getting ready to buy my winter tires, but wanted to postpone the purchase as long as possible. I have a 2.7 mile daily commute. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-29-2014, 11:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	Isn't the prescribed changeover in Chicago somewhere around July 4th?

09-30-2014, 06:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
tweZ74 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 25 Drives: 2014 370z Touring Rep Power: 11	Haha! I've noticed some slipping after harder launches at the lights as of yesterday with temps in the low 50s in the AM. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-04-2014, 03:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
tweZ74 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 25 Drives: 2014 370z Touring Rep Power: 11	Good info! Thank you! I'm going to go with the Blizaks on 4 squares as you suggested. Otherwise my 2.7 mile commute to the train each day may become the commute of death! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-03-2014, 01:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
tweZ74 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 25 Drives: 2014 370z Touring Rep Power: 11	Finally order my tires today! Went the affordable route and picked up the 18x8 ANDROS Spec G MGS in matte graphite silver. Any tools/recommendations for the first time DIY tire swap? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-03-2014, 02:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah after you torque your lugs, go back and retorque it after 10miles or so of driving as lugs tend to back out after the initial tighening. this time of year i see wheels falling off people's cars issues....

11-03-2014, 06:40 PM	#15 (permalink)
ZeeBabar Banned Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 423 Drives: 2006 350z Rep Power: 0	Is four square better than the set up on the sports package? Since I do not want to purchase additional wheels, I am getting the Blizzaks, different front and rear sizes. The 4 cost about $1150 plus shipping. Since I live in the lower Midwest, where it really does not snow much (about 20 inches a year) but slush and ice are common. Is another tire preferable under the lesser conditions? I will place an order this week.

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