Tires
 

I am getting an automatic RX-8 with the grand touring package. I have been reading that the car comes with summer tires. Where can I find a set of winter tires? Even on my Corolla, I had a set of studded tires for the front. Would studded tires help this car? If so, would I just need a set for the back? If just on the back, must I buy a pair of winter tires for the front? Would it help at all to have studded all around?
After a search for appropriate tires online, it seems that they are scarce. Do people just park this car in the winter? That isn't an option for me. How much would any of these options cost?

Do a search there has been many a discussion about snow tires. But Discount Tire Co. has snow tires for your car. Just call them since their website apparently doesn't show the correct availability.

Yep a search would be good.

Currently the only supplier folks have been talking about it Discount Tires. it's not that some of us (me included) aren't getting snow tires. It's the fact that they only stock snow tires for the begining of winter. They just don't carry much stock after winter starts like now. So you are just running into low stock since stores don't want to hold them until next winter.

Tire Rack has knowledgeable personnel...i'd go with them

www.tirerack.com

Re: Tires
 

Welcome to the forum!

There are several long, detailed threads that discuss winter tire options - there's a sticky thread in the RX-8 Discussion section of the forum titled First test of RX-8 in snow - it's great! that talks about the need for winter tires and how they transform the performance of the RX-8. Basically, on OEM summer tires the car is treacherous to drive - leave it parked if it snows! On winter tires, it does very well.

After reading that thread, please search the forum for 'winter tires' - you'll find a bunch of threads here in the Tires and Wheels section, and in the Canada regional section, which go into great detail about winter tire and wheel choices - sizes, models, prices, etc. An hour or less of reading will get you quickly up to speed - feel free to ask any questions you've got after that! :)

Regards,
Gordon

Thanks Gordon and all,

Believe it or not, I did do much searching and reading of the forum here before I posted. However, I can't find where my questions were addressed. RE: studded tires : winter tires all around : studded all around : studded in back, winter in front

Kristen

What are studded tires?? Never seen those. Can't help you on that. I just got my Dunlop M2 winter tires on and you definitely need to buy 4 of them! I used Besttire .com they had a decent deal. They can get tires usually some may just have to get them from a warehouse and that takes a couple days. I have an automatic and I will tell you it's a death trap without winter tires!!! With shipping and 18" tires it was a little over $500. Good luck and welcome. Wendy

Hi Wendy!
Thanks for responding. My studded tires just have these little metal nubs sticking out all over the tread to help with traction.
I assume for $500, that you just got tires. Will you have them put on your regular rims and then back the next season? How much does that cost you?
Kristen

Hi Kristen,

Well, you got us - there hasn't been much discussion at all of studded tires! :)

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend studded tires for the RX-8. The winter tires do very well in most conditions - studded tires will do a bit better on ice, but will be significantly worse in snow and especially worse on dry pavement. Overall, I believe you'd be much better off with 4 winter tires. If you really wanted studs, and if you could find a studdable tire in 215/55-17, 225/50-17, or 225/45-18 (that's actually a very big IF), you'd want to fit them all around to keep the handling balanced. I definitely wouldn't just go with 2 studded on the rear, even with 2 winters on the front.

Regards,
Gordon

There's a good discussion of the pros and cons of studded tires on the Washington State DoT's site.

Ok, I know what I am looking for in tires now. Two more questions: [Yes Gordon, I've searched for answers :-) ]
When looking at tirerack.com, I don't see an option to add the sensors. Where do they come from?
As for rims, does price/quality matter in regards to handling?

(I can't help personally on the sensors, as our Canadian RX-8s don't have the TPMS - but you might have to phone them to order the wheels/tires to get them to include the sensors)

Price/quality doesn't matter directly - what does affect the handling and ride is weight. The stock RX-8 18" wheels are around 22 lbs per wheel; a reasonably light 17" wheel is around 17-18 lbs, the lightest 17" wheels are 15 lbs or less. Generally, lighter wheels cost more, but there's less of a correlation that more expensive wheels weigh less! You can't assume, it's best to ask specifically what the weight of a particular wheel is. TireRack shows the weight for some of their wheels online, but should know for all of them if you phone them. I'd advise to stay at the OEM weight (~22 lbs) as an upper maximum; go lighter if you see a lighter wheel you like that you can afford.

(Lighter unsprung weight (wheels, tires, brakes) is far more important than sprung weight (anything bolted to the frame, body, interior), and will result in a smoother ride and more responsive handling.)

Regards,
Gordon

Kristymac, I've reseached the TPS, and Tire Rack does have "aftermarket" sensors available. You have to call them. I plan on getting Mazda sensors when I change my wheels over in the spring. I just feel more comfortable with Mazda original parts.

I am trying to decide between the Bridgestone LM-22 and the Dunlop M3. I live in Pennsylvania, so we have maybe 15 scattered days in which there would be snow on the road.

My first priority is safety. I want good handling in the snow and on wet roads.

I have settled on a price for my ordered RX-8 and am going to put a down payment on it Saturday. My birthday!

So, what would any if you pick? LM-22 or M3?