For the first time, we are getting winter tires for a vehicle ('21 Honda Pilot). And based on the cost to switch out tires on the wheels we have vs. switch separate wheels, it looks like it makes sense to get a separate set of wheels. They’ll pay for themselves in a few winters.
But… which wheels do I get? I can search a number of sites (Costco, Discount Tire, TireRack), and I get a bunch of different wheels that supposedly fit my car. They range in price from $140 to $400+ per wheel. How do I choose between these? What do you get for more expensive wheels? Is it just for show, or are the cheaper wheels going to be less efficient or dangerous or something?
Generally you want the lighter weight wheels, to reduce what’s called ‘unsprung mass’. A lighter weight wheel that is strong enough will not strain your suspension and drivetrain as much, and will give you better road contact for your tires.
This is not a consideration where I live, but I am interested in the responses here, out of interest and education.
I assumed if I were to have a winter set of wheels they would be on the less costly/less showy side (meaning, they don’t need to look great, and are easy to clean). Because, I would assume a lot of winter driving in the snow means the wheels will get beat-up anyway by the elements (sand, salt, grime, or what have you). Is that a consideration, for those in the snowy climes?
I recommend checking a local tire store. Some people will buy fancy new wheels and leave the basic ones at the store, which can then sell the old wheels to people like you who want a second set for winter tires.
Based on this search, you have either 18” or 20” wheels. For your needs I would recommend 18s, not 20s.
Reasons: a larger wheel means the tire sidewall is shorter, and the wheel would be more susceptible to sidewalk curb rash from parking too close to a curb. For nice wheels, that’s a problem. But even for basic wheels the rash and rub marks can be unsightly. Poor form.
Look at cars with nice wheels and low profile tires (low sidewalls, larger wheels). Look at the right side (assuming you’re in the US and drive on the right) and you’ll frequently see scraped / scratched wheels.
18s have more tire height to protect the rims.
If you’re a performance driver and need the handling response, then you might want 20s.
Yes, I have 18" wheels. Not a performance driver. Just heading up the mountain to go skiing regularly.
When I go to the Amazon link, it helpfully offers to filter by wheels that fit my '21 Pilot. When I do that, there are no results that are actually wheels.
When I go to the next two links on the google search (detroitwheelandtire.com and walmart.com), I get… a bunch of wheels that cost about $150 to $400.
But I’m not lacking in possible wheels to buy. I’m trying to figure out how to choose between them. It sounds to me like the answer is that I can just buy the cheapest ones I find, since it doesn’t matter, and the reason to pay more is mostly for show or fancy driving.
I ended up getting 4 used off of ebay from what I believe was from a junk yard selling online. I was able to get 4 OEM alloy wheels that were then same that the car came with for I believe under $50 each. Yes if you have the space to store them and you can swap them yourself them it’s worth it in terms of money and time.
In the past for another car I went with the basic new steal wheel, it worked OK though if one is used to the look of the car with alloy wheels, the steel wheels is a bit of a downer, but not a big deal.
When we had our 2013 Terrain it had conventional 5 bolt pattern wheels on it so the dealer had access to reasonably priced plain steel wheels for which I had snow tires mounted and balanced and could be swapped out spring and fall as a “set”. Instead of a “nice chrome” look to the car all winter it had the “cop car” look instead (which I rather like anyway). In fact, we had been doing that on the front wheel drive cars we had for some years before that (2000ish I think)
However, the Acadia we now have has a 20" 6 bolt pattern wheel and good luck finding plain steel wheels. If you want to mount snow tires on separate rims you have to buy either factory or aftermarket fancy assed chrome ones at an inflated price so on this car, I don’t bother with snow tires. Not ideal but it has AWD so, so far it hasn’t been too much of an issue but I suppose as they wear it will become more so. This will be my first winter of complete retirement anyway.
In the “not so olden days” the tire companies made real “all season” tires so this scam wasn’t much of a thing years back. If you go back before “all season” tires, and to the days of rear wheel drive we used to mount snow tires on separate rims that were commonly used on the rear of the car only.
I bought a set of wheels with snow tires mounted and balanced from Tire Rack last year.
On their web site you can see what different styles will look like on your particular model car. I bought black Sparco wheels and some car folks I know said they looked good.
First year I did the swap myself. Jack up a corner and remove/replace. Rinse and repeat. In the Spring I found a local "at your location oil change " guy to do the job while I watch for $30. I’ll be calling him soon.
As a kid in Norway the rims were all steel anyway, and there was no difference between your summer and winter rims. That way you could just move the hubcaps over. But I’m sure some people had different profiles on their summer tires.
Then alloy wheels started becoming a realistic option and most people had alloy summer wheels and steel winter wheels (despite the winter wheels being the ones most likely to rust).
And now alloy wheels are almost standard, winter and summer. Or perhaps there is just a larger fraction of expensive cars around …
Yep. This right here. Pick N Pull. Get a set of cheap-ass steel wheels that fit it, then quit it. Should be about $100 for the set. 18" maybe a tad more.
Actually you get steel wheels for the snow tires so that when you slid off the road, (or into the curb), & bend the wheels, they can be bent back. This can not be done with alloy wheels, they do not bend, they break.
You are a braver man than I. I set out in a Ford Torino with snow tires for work, chickened out on the icy freeway, and couldn’t get to the exit ramp. It was controllable to continue to work.
