So I've been searching for winter wheels and tires and I'm down to a few options. The first, and easiest, is to replace the geolanders currently on my vehicle with a set of Nokian WRs.

http://www.nokiantires.com/en/tire_w...?season=winter

This keeps the TPMS system intact, but i'm throwing away(hopefully selling for a few bucks) the new geolanders as well as compromising winter traction a bit compared to full-on winter tires. They do have a 80,000kms treadwear warranty though.

The other options are a set of aftermarket alloy rims from either my dealer($100 each) or tire store($112each). Both require hub-centric rings to fit the center bore as well as different lug nuts. Both end up around $500 for a set.

At that point, my tire choices are nokian RSI:

http://www.nokiantires.com/en/tire_h...?season=winter

I have a set of these for my Sienna and they are amazing. They cost $825 for a set. I have the hassle of reseting the TPM system on every start.

The other choice is the nokian Hakka SUV:

http://www.nokiantires.com/en/tire_h...?season=winter

A bit more aggressive, but should make an excellent winter tire. They cost $950 a set. I have the hassle of resetting the TPM system on every start.

Any recommendations. I live in Calgary. I have signed up to have the WRs installed on friday, but am having second thoughts. Anyone have experience with aftermarket rims that have hub-centric rings(not the correct hub diameter, but bigger with a spacer to fit)? Anyone want to part with a set of rims (16"steel or alloy) that they have removed from their 07 outlander to upgrade?

Thededicated winter tire/rim choices are costly at $1300-1500 total.
Opinions???

 

I got a set of 17' with the hakka 5 suv.... well I cannot give you any feedback yet on the tires...I do not know the winter in calgary but here in quebec, I could not live without studs... I will endure the increase noise anytime to have them save me a couple of times on black ice.

but as for the rims with hub-centric rings I got them too and it is not a problem at all. You put the rings on the hub and you put your wheels after, no problem there you should not feel anything different!

if budget is a problem, I would say go for steel wheels. I prefer to have 2 sets of wheels and having the choice to change them when i want than to have to take an appointment to mount the winter tires and pay each time... but that is me.

it is your call, but for me 4season tires are not winter tires...

 

Ever tried these ice sensors? They are bonded between the tiny grooves in the tire tread. In normal tire temperature the material acts like rubber and wears with the tread but in ice cold temperatures the material hardens and pretrudes from the tread creating spikes/studsto grip the ice.

 

Here's a video demonstration http://egoods.jp/jericho/icesensor/let the vid buffer for a good 15-20 mins before restarting.

 

I got a quote of $80 for universal fit steel rims(not hubcentric) and $180 for mitsubishi steel rims that come on the lower models. The $100 alloy rims seem the best value.

I think the RSIs would work fine here with the thaw/freeze chinook winds that come through and clear the snow away. The biggest issue I had was with the wheels not being supported by the hub and using the ring spacer. Thanks.

 

Interesting concept, but if i am getting studded tires, I'd buy them installed at the factory. Seems like a bit of a "cludged" concept. That might work in california winters, but at -30 to -40C we get for 4-6weeks per year, few glues would hold them in place. "Super" glues crack and break at those temps.

 

I've had the Nokian WR's on my old vehicle and plan to eventually install them in our new Outlander. We loved them and they were a great fit for the winters we have in Calgary.

You do end up giving up the new set of factory installed tires, but then you never need to worry about swapping tires each season. The Nokian WR's are officially rated as winter tires and I know many people who have them and love them in Calgary.