80CuIn

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

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

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

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

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