hey midwest ppl
i just bought an rx8 recently and are loving it!
winter is coming soon, i checked the weather.com and it said that
there'll be light snow snowers next week

was just wondering around which time u guys are changing to ur winter tires?

im from west lafayette, IN btw
anyone ard here?

im changing my tires next week when i get back from vacation cause i need to do an oil change and change my breaks as well so ima do it soon

I changed mine yesterday.. Tomorow through Thurs has predictions of snow for us here in MN.

Just a reminder- if you do it yourself, be sure and check rotation direction PRIOR to putting all 4 new tires on (once again, I have to learn the hard way) ;-)

I'm in Indianapolis. :)

From the looks of it, I'll need them on by Wednesday or so (just to be safe, anyways...). Hopefully I can get in to have the wheels swapped on soon.

yeah.. means ill have to change my tires around this week too..
im feeling kinda sad to have it change to fast.. since i only had the car for about a week!

btw, is it hard to change the tire by myself? or do you guys recommend going to the dealer to have it changed?

Yikes! Thanks for the warning. I better throw mine on tomorrow!

If you are just swapping the rim/tires set on, it's not hard. If you are keeping your stock rims and changing the tires, better have a tire store or dealer change it. I think a place like discount tires would be cheaper than a dealer, though.

I'm from chicago... i have mine on now. the light snow and the 8 normally are not a problem. but when it does come down and it gets icey it's real bad. I recomend the blizzex tires, thats what i have... not sure of the spelling but they are fantastic.

Woot:

I changed mine yesterday. I've got it down to 15 minutes a corner and, miracle of miracles, the skies opened up and it began pouring just as I finished the fourth wheel!

Like everything else, it's hardest the first time you do it. Took me a whole Saturday afternoon the first time, mostly because I didn't have the necessary tools. See this post (http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=300777&postcount=56) for the long story. Changing wheels is pretty easy, but there are a few things you should know/keep in mind:

1. Have the right sockets! Winter wheels don't necessarily use the same socket as the OEM wheels. If you need sockets, go to an auto supply store, not Sears or a hardware store... the hardware store is not likely to have the correct sockets for the lugs that will also fit the breaker bar and torque wrench (see below).

2. Have the right tools. You definitely want a floor jack (as low as $40), a torque wrench (108 ft./lbs per lug - never more) and a "breaker bar," as well as a DIGITAL pressure gauge (so much better than the other kind!) Make sure that the torque wrench and the breaker bar accept the same sized sockets, and that the sockets fit the torque wrench and breaker bar.

3. Work on each corner at a time; I no longer think it is worth it to put the car up on jack stands just to change a wheel -- just be very sure you keep yourself from anywhere under the car, in case the jack fails. Be sure to carefully place the floor jack at the right points on the frame of the car (important!). Never use the torque wrench to break the lug loose (that's what the breaker bar is for).

4. Lower the car very slowly by slowly turning the screw on the floor jack very slowly. A very slow turn will lower the car gently; anything else, and it drops like a rock. Always block the wheels. Always be very careful lowering the car. Always tighten the wheels when the car is on the ground, not in the air.

5. Never wear clothes you need to keep clean. Wheels are filthy dirty.

6. The centering rings on the back of the wheels matter. They are usually set into the wheel, so you might not even notice them. Make sure they are lined up correctly, or the wheels won't go on snuggly. When you remove the wheels, make sure the centering rings come off with each wheel. You don't want to lose a centering ring.

7. Tires may be "directional," meaning that they must rotate in the right way. My OEM wheels are directional but, apparently, my Pirelli Snowsport 210 tires are not. Check the direction is correct before putting the wheel on!

8. You want to carefully note the position of the wheels and mark them before you store them so that you can put them on in the correct order when the season changes back.

9. Keep very careful track of your wheel lock key and the spare lugs. Remember to take your wheel lock with you when you take the car in for service, otherwise, the mechanic may not be able to remove the wheels.

10. Air pressure in tires is tricky. People on this forum seem to feel 32 psi for summer wheels, 36 psi for winter wheels -- that's what I use anyway. After the wheels are installed, but before driving, note the pressure. (Always check pressure when the wheels are cold). Then drive to a service station, add the air needed to get the desired pressure. Check the wheels a few hours after the car has been sitting to confirm that you've got it about right.

11. If your winter wheels have no Tire Pressure Sensors in them, stick a piece of black electrical tape on the dash to cover the blinking TPS warning light.

Good luck!

good post MEGAREDS

I'll be changing from the summer performance tires to the all-seasons this week.

Put the snows (Blizzaks) on the 8 and the wife's Miata this weekend. 15 minutes a corner is about right - 2 hours for the whole deal. Better safe than sorry!

I look for the 10-day forecast to show consistent highs under 40F or serious threats of significant snow. We've been high 40s, 50s and even 60s so far in my part upstate NY so I just keep watching the forecast. I don't like them on too early, but I don't wait until the first blizzard like half the town that rushes the tire shops.

I look for the 10-day forecast to show consistent highs under 40F or serious threats of significant snow. We've been high 40s, 50s and even 60s so far in my part upstate NY so I just keep watching the forecast. I don't like them on too early, but I don't wait until the first blizzard like half the town that rushes the tire shops.
Forcast for Chicago is snow on Wed and Fri/Sat.

Forcast for Chicago is snow on Wed and Fri/Sat.

Now would be a good time. :)

As a rule of thumb, I'll have my winter tires on from Thanksgiving until the Cubs opening day. I thought the RX8 did very well in the snow last winter with the real winter tires.

I look for the 10-day forecast to show consistent highs under 40F or serious threats of significant snow. We've been high 40s, 50s and even 60s so far in my part upstate NY so I just keep watching the forecast. I don't like them on too early, but I don't wait until the first blizzard like half the town that rushes the tire shops.

East Coast weather is usually 3 days behind us here on the Third Coast. Snow is predicted here on Wednesday, so I agree -- you need to get out this weekend and spend a quality hour or so with your car.

wow thanks so much for the replies..
hopefully i can get the wheels changed latest by this weekend..
im still thinking of either changing it myself or going to a car service..
whatcha think?

im still thinking of either changing it myself or going to a car service..
whatcha think?

I think... nevermind (http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=1123148&postcount=8) :mdrmed:

I made an appointment for Wednesday morning to get my recall work done and have my winter tires mounted. I was going to wait as long as I could, but looks like we're due for some snow this week. Even rain-soaked streets at 40 degrees can be risky with our Potenzas- I was having some fun on the way home from work today kicking the tail out with very little throttle :eek:

I'm in St. Louis and its barely rained here since...July. But it can snow or slush or ice at any time.
I did mine two weeks ago. The blizzaks have such a soft ride compared to stock that I decided not to wait. Although the steering goes from razor sharp to kind of like a 72 Buick Electra.
I'm a nerd and I did the whole job in just over an hour...so anyone can. But its true that its much easier this year than last year - I think it took three hours the first time.
I did f--- up a little, though. I thought about the fact that the blizzaks are directional, and then I ignored the arrows and just put the wheels on. Then a friend reminded me to check it out, and sure enough, I had two of them on backwards. I only drove about 110 miles that way. Took another 30 minutes to put them back on the right way.
My TPMS light stays on but doesn't blink, btw.

I think it may be time for me as well after witnessing something horrible this morning! There's a section of road on my way to work that's always flooded (sewer overflow or something). Anyhow, overnight it must have turned into a solid sheet of ice, because there was a police car blocking the affected lanes, a bunch of salt thrown all over the road, and a red RX-8 (with OEM tires) with a crushed front fender on a flatbed truck :( . It had lost control on the ice and smashed into the median curb with enough force to break the concrete into many pieces. If I had left 20-30 minutes earlier, that could have been me!

changed my tires to winter tires today! im not too worried about snow now.. thanks ppl for all the advice, esp megareds, ur tips are useful!

rx8 buckeye- lucky it's not u that got into the accident.. careful as snow is coming soon.. it was raining ice/snow here in IN yest.. really cold.. sucks

Decided to try and beat the best time posted here for swapping from summer to winter wheels, 2nd big mistake..... The 1st one was taking my winter wheels to Discount tire to have the TPMS installed. 3 out of 4 valves leaked and I found that out as I was installing the 2nd wheel, looks like they just stuffed them into the wheel and didn't lube the rubber or check the seal. Three hours later and I am now experienced at sealing TMPS valves in aftermarket wheels without removing the tires (not a skill I really wanted to pickup). I'm now thinking that maybe the annoying TPMS light in the dash that I hated last winter wasn't really so bad.....

sowwy to hear that virtual ... in a similar situation, i am now an expert at removing a locking lug nut without using the key. seems those pos locks/keys are not made of a great metal. the lug nut was starting to strip, so i had to stop using the key to try and save the integrity of the key as much as possible.

funny thing is, i put the lugs on when i painted the calipers. i am not a big person (5'2") so i cant believe how tight that one was. very disappointed in the fact that the metal of the nut was actually twisting (like a screw before it strips).

virtual, sending you a pm about joining our chicago area group!! :)


and anyone else in the chicago area who is interested, please pm me and ill sign you up!

sowwy to hear that virtual ... in a similar situation, i am now an expert at removing a locking lug nut without using the key. seems those pos locks/keys are not made of a great metal. the lug nut was starting to strip, so i had to stop using the key to try and save the integrity of the key as much as possible.

funny thing is, i put the lugs on when i painted the calipers. i am not a big person (5'2") so i cant believe how tight that one was. very disappointed in the fact that the metal of the nut was actually twisting (like a screw before it strips).

I highly recommend buying a extra set of regular lug nuts and throwing the locking ones away. Somewhere, sometime, the locking ones will bite you in the ass... I've seen it time and time again. And our factory wheels just aren't hot items enough to worry about it. If someone wants your wheels bad enough, the locking lugs won't stop 'em anyway.

I highly recommend buying a extra set of regular lug nuts and throwing the locking ones away.

You've said that before G8rBoy, and I think I agree with you, but it I've just not gotten around to looking into it. Would it make sense for a group of five of us to buy a set, and split them up? I don't recall seeing them on Trussville's site... where to buy them?

Also, my center caps look like an old lady's legs after just two seasons. Is there an easy way to find a replacement. TireRack doesn't seem to make it easy. They keep telling me to call "Customer Service."

Somewhere, sometime, the locking ones will bite you in the ass... I've seen it time and time again.
sadly i consider myself bitten :bootyshak

thank god i was just in my garage with other tools around ...

You've said that before G8rBoy, and I think I agree with you, but it I've just not gotten around to looking into it. Would it make sense for a group of five of us to buy a set, and split them up? I don't recall seeing them on Trussville's site... where to buy them?

think theyd give us 5 keys too? im pretty much done with stupid keyed lugs til i get some supAr sweet wheels, then ill prolly care more.

Also, my center caps look like an old lady's legs after just two seasons. Is there an easy way to find a replacement. TireRack doesn't seem to make it easy. They keep telling me to call "Customer Service."
b4tm4n had great results in painting his oem caps, i think i posted a pic in the chicago meet thread. dont know if that will help yer old lady caps tho ;) (great visual btw)

I just put my winter tires on yesterday. I went with a set of Yokohama AVS ES100. The ride is a GREAT deal smoother and quieter than the stock 18s the dealer put on. With installation, they only ran me about $200 a tire. Not too bad I'd say. I would recommened this tire to anyone. I'll probably keep these on until around mid March.

(great visual btw)

Here's the more graphic version:

I didn't end up installing my snows this weekend, and now it's snowing here while I'm stuck at work :(. It doesn't appear to be accumulating on the roads, so I think I'll chance the drive home. I really don't feel like coming back to get the car during the holiday weekend.

^^ hows your skiing? ;) wish you the best, no accidents!!!! just be safe ...



you dont have a silver by any chance, do you?

you dont have a silver by any chance, do you?

Tha'ts so mean... so very mean...

^^ hows your skiing? ;) wish you the best, no accidents!!!! just be safe ...

you dont have a silver by any chance, do you?Made it home safely :). No, I have a Titanium Gray. No curse on the gray ones. :p

hey i wasnt tryin to be mean ... just checkin out the validity of "the curse"

me no meany .... :(

Made it home safely :)
glad to hear!!!

I drove an MR2 for 5 years with summer high performance tires on it during the winters. You just have to be a little more carefull, really not that big of a deal.

I drove an MR2 for 5 years with summer high performance tires on it during the winters. You just have to be a little more carefull, really not that big of a deal.

Sorry, but that's just stupid advice. I have no idea what kind of tires your MR2 had, but your experiences with that car and those tires has no relevance to the RX8 and the factory Potenzas. They have zero traction in the snow, regardless of how careful you are, and it is a big deal. There's over two years of posts on this board to back that up.

Yeah, have to agree with G8rboy, that's dumb advice. Winter tires are almost a necessity with this car if you live where it snows. Trust me, I tried to make it through a winter without them and it didn't work.

I will also agree with the above. I drove last week on approximately 1/2" of snow with my stockies (granted they have 33,000 miles on them) and had little to NO control...VERY SCARY! I was very greatful to arrive at my destination in one piece. Good thing my winter set-up arrive a day or two later.

Here's a link (shameless plug) to the thread with pics of my set-up:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=75855&page=3&pp=15 (http://)