View Full Version : Tire Swap


80CuIn
03-30-2004, 07:19 PM
What do you think? Okay to keep swapping out winter tires with summer tires, then back again? Any concequences with damage to the tire beads? The only risk I see is damage to the rim.
An additional issue may be the balance and rebalance of the wheels/tires. Greater chance of being miss balanced?
Although I plan on having Mazda do the work.
Can't afford an additional set of rims right now. And if I do purchase rims I will only settle for SSR comps (best weight/value IMO). Plus the expense of TPMS. I'm planning on purchasing one or two wheel(s) a year. That's the only way it will happen....according to my wife.
Yes I know, at $70-$90 a swap, it will add up in time. But it will take a greater amount of time time to get to the price of the SSRs I covet so much.
Thanks
Al

Rotary Nut
03-31-2004, 08:35 PM
This is one of the reasons I went with the all season tires. The other alternative would be to have dedicated winter wheels and tires!

80CuIn
04-01-2004, 08:53 AM
Thanks for the response.
So, is it bad to constantly swap out tires? Damage to tire?
Yes, optimally would like a set of dedicated wheel/snow and wheel/summer tires. I have a set of winter and summer tires I share with the OE wheels.
As for all season tires, I need the extra traction of winter tires rather than the compromise of all season. But that's just me.
So, is it bad to swap?
Al

Gord96BRG
04-01-2004, 11:17 AM
If your tire guy is careful, then no it's not bad to swap. Tire damage should not be a problem, but you'll have a tough time avoiding wear and tear on the rim from the mounting/dismounting/balancing.

When you factor in the price for that twice per year... I did a calculation last fall that showed that if you keep your car more than 3 years (probably 4 years if you have TPMS), then it's less expensive overall to buy a separate set of cheaper 17" wheels and winter tires than to buy 18" winter tires and swap twice per year.

Regards,
Gordon

80CuIn
04-01-2004, 11:52 AM
Thanks for the insight Gordon.

Yes, 17" wheel/snow tire combo is the best way to go. At least for the northern regions of North America.

However, I purchased my 8 in December, and purchased 18" snows to install on the OE wheels. And those dam SSRs are always in the back of my head. Have to wait 1 or 2 years to get what I want.

I'll try to oversee the install/balance process at Mazda. Oh yes, I also have Mazda's tire/wheel coverage plan. That should help if there are problems.

Al