I just installed a set of blizzak WS-50s on 17s. The car is now pulling to right, if I have the steering wheel straight. It just started doing this after I put on the snow shoes. Anyone have any imput on this? I can't imagine it is the alignment, becasue it was working just fine before the snows.

 

Are there plastic inserts on the inside of the rim?

Did you rotate the wheels? If they are directional they can only go front to back back to front. If they were beat on during the breakin period for the tires it could have caused unusual wear. If the two rear tires are on the left side and were worn from burning rubber. The larger on the left will create a pull to the right.

I noticed that one of my winter rims had a plastic ring on the inside of wheel at the center where the hub goes. None of the others had it so I pulled it out.

Conner do you happen to know why this was? I purchased the set from Tirerack.
ASA rims Bright Silver closed out last year.

 

I actually bought them used. I am pretty sure that I put the ones he had on the back on the front in order to give more tread to the rear wheels. I didn't notice any plastic on the inside hub. The tires are not really worn at all, however you could see which ones were on the rear as opposed to the front. Should I take it in to get an alignment??? Should I switch the front and back again??

 

Here is what I want to know....

I am trying to find 18" snow tires for my rx8 on ebay as I am only going to have it for ONE winter....For some reason almost everyone who is selling snow tires have different size for front and rear. Like: Front: 225/45R 18 and Rear: 245/45R 18. Is this normal? or do I need all four to be 225/45R 18? Your feedback would be appreciated. Thanks....

 

i got the Dunlop wintersports M3 w/17's.. 215width.. they are terrific. i can down and up my moms unplowed driveway with 4" of snow just fine

they handle on slushy freeways pretty well too... chalk another customer to the dunlops

 

^1. And they're great on ice. I can't recommend them enough.

 

Also got to keep in mind that low temperatures are also deadly as it hardens the summer tire rubber compound and the tires become more plasticy and have less grip. So if you are trying out some high speed exits, you will have some surprises.

Reagardless of snow, winter/all-season tires should be used in low temps. I use 50F as a change over mark.

Bodi

05 RX-8 MT with GT and Dunlop Winter Sports M3 (225/45R18) in Massachusetts snow.

 

By all means get snow tires. I've been able to drive worry free so far and even climbed a snow covered ski jump that I also call my driveway during the rest of the year.

04 MT with 215/55HR-17 Pirelli Winter Sottozero on 17x7 ASA rims

Bill

 

Bill : (wallyb) is that a pic of your car? Where did you get the body kit and what is it called?

thx,
Bodi

 

I love my Blizzaks (in MN). I needed to be pushed out of my driveway multiple times last year but have had no problems this year. Too bad I am in moving to Dallas in a month....anyone looking for Blizzaks with 2k miles?

 

I'm interested in getting a tire opinion from you folks here. I just got my RX-8. Has the performance dunlops on it. I took it to my favorite local tire place (a DT store that has always treated me right) to ask about snow traction, etc. I had heard about tire siping, and was wondering if that would be enough to give me snow traction for occasional use. I am a young "retiree" at 34 due to health problems - i use the car as my daily driver but obviously not for commuting. Basically his advice was to try the siping (at only 7.50 per tire, not much of a money maker for them) very cautiously the next time we have a snow, and if i don't feel i'm getting enough traction to invest in some snow tires.

I live in the Chicago area, and we seem to only get a few big snows a year. From what I've read I'm guessing that even with the siping, using the stock tires for winter is a bad idea. What I'm wondering is am I better off getting a second set of snow tires, or replacing my stock performance tires with something like the Avon Tech A/S. A person on another site claim that they basically give you 90% of what a summer tire would, and 90% of what a snow tire would. Any truth to that?

I guess I would say my driving style varies anywhere between mild and moderately aggresive. One reason I bought the car was for its terrific handling, so I wouldn't want to give up too much of that. However, I doubt since all my driving is on the street that I'm at the limits all that much. I do like the sure-footed feel of the performance Dunlops on dry and wet pavement, and for fun I will sometimes take corners rather hard, trying to pull some Gs...

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the reply, CBD! Your thinking kind of mirrors my thoughts at this point. The DT guy will do the semi-annual mounting/unmounting for free if I buy the tires there. And I figure if they prevent one wreck they have paid for themselves. So basically i'm looking at the cost of snow tires with their extra security vs the cost of all-seasons.

 

CD, have you pretty much been able to handle anything (easily) with those LM-22s?

 

my 18" lm22s have been wonderful. i tried to get by on stock my first winter and the car was stuck the first time i was in any real snow. with the blizzacks ive been out in the storms without concern. its not as surefooted as the wrx i used to drive, but im confident enough to go out even in six inches unplowed

 

I Live In Tacoma ,washington, We Don't Get Snow That Much Down Here But We Do Get Black Ice On The Road, Do I Need Snow Tire I Got My Rx-8 Two Week Ago.

 

Snow tires, who needs snow tires? God bless Texas!

 

connor... i plan on purchasing an RX-8 in the beginning of january after i sell my integra. I was just wondering... should i purchase snow or all season tires? I live on Long Island and its kind of hard to judge which would be better..especially since it doesnt really snow as much near march..Also, if i do get these tires.. should i mount them on the stock 18" wheels or should i purchase a new set of wheels for it for the winter next year ? SOmetime during next summer i plan on getting axis hiros for it ..i would also need new tires for that too or would it be better if i get them all the same size and mount them on the potenzas? im really confused and i need help lol

 

Because of the area you live in i would recommend using snow tires. You will find that the tires that come on the RX8 are useless on ice, slush, or snow. You could use the 18" rims with snow tires if you wanted to however a 17" tire and wheel will offer better ice and snow traction due to the taller sidewall. I would recomend one of the following options:

If you want to use your rims with 18" tires then i would recommend 225/45R18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM25 (198.00 each).

If you wanted to use 17" tires and wheels i would recommend uing the 215/45/17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 (113.00 each) with the 17X7.5" ASA JH3 (119.00 each) wheel. They would come to you mounted and balanced. If you want the sensors installed they would be an additional 117.00 per sensor.

 

so0.. u would still reccomend snow tires over all seasonal? even though it doesnt snow that many times?

 

new york snows enough to merit snow tires

 

The 8 is not a forgiving car in the snow. You should definitely get dedicated snow tires on separate rims. I would go with the 17" rims. That will get you a taller sidewall which will be better in the snow. Trust us. The 8 is almost uncontrollable in snow or slush in anything but dedicated snow tires.

I bought the Dunlop M3's. They perform fine on dry roads in the winter time and are there when you need them when it snows.