Tires?

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 09 Feb 2022, 13:56

What are people running for tires, stock size or other? I'm looking at stock 195/60r15s, although I wouldn't mind going to a 16" tires if I could find some Volvo rims locally (not a big priority).

Initially, I was looking at winter tires, but now that we're half way through winter, I may just go and get regular tires, since I've only got one set of rims.

Right now, the car has Dunlops in the front, and Michelins out back. I haven't looked at them close enough to determine specific models.

I drive 100 miles a day on the freeway.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Feb 2022, 17:33

For winters I would stick with 15" tires/rims. Go with a 185/60/15 tire for winters. They cut through the snow the best. 195 are also ok.

The higher sidewall will protect the tires better than 16's. I also suggest steel rims if you can. They take a better beating if you don't see the potholes under the snow. 16's are nice in the summer with better road feel.

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Feb 2022, 09:48

Even here in Iowa the FWD does well with all season stock size. I still prefer a set of winter tires/wheels for the worst days but the FWD does well. These cars are really heavy, that helps.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 10 Feb 2022, 13:25

erikv11 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 09:48 Even here in Iowa the FWD does well with all season stock size. I still prefer a set of winter tires/wheels for the worst days but the FWD does well. These cars are really heavy, that helps.

On my Saturn, I went with a dedicated snow tire and they were great. I had intended to get a second set of rims and then buy "summer" tires as well, but I was having a hard time finding a decent set of rims locally. I ended up just running the winter tires year round, and much to my surprise they wore very well. They're still on the car. I've been scanning FB Marketplace for Volvo rims, and not finding much nearby. Admittedly, I have not tried a local yard yet.

Not actually having a second set of rims, is another reason, I'm tempted to skip the snow tires for now, and just get something designed to run year round.

The snow tire, I have is the GT Radial Champiro Icepro 3. For those that don't know, GTRadial is the North American brand of Giti Tire, based in Singapore. My tires are made in China, which surprises me a bit, since they're the first tire I've truly been impressed with over the life of the tire.

I've contemplated taking the tires off the Saturn, and putting them on the Volvo, but I don't have anything else for the Saturn to sit on... logs??? I'm sure my neighbors would report me to the city

Post by **scot850** » 10 Feb 2022, 14:09

We get ALL WEATHER tire which are generally good in snow, but not great on ice. What are often called ALL SEASON tires we call 3 season tires now.

GT Tires seem an ok product from what I see. There are plenty of dedicated winter tires in many price brackets out there.

When we first came to Canada my wife bought a used Audi A4 and it was fitted with Michelin Artic Alpin winter tires. They were truly awful tires. We ran them year around to just wear them out. In above 7C they sounded like your wheel bearings were going out under braking!

Neil.

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 10 Feb 2022, 15:16

scot850 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 14:09
When we first came to Canada my wife bought a used Audi A4 and it was fitted with Michelin Artic Alpin winter tires. They were truly awful tires. We ran them year around to just wear them out. In above 7C they sounded like your wheel bearings were going out under braking!

Neil.

I really don't know what the GTRadial Icepros sound like because the Saturn actually does have a bad wheel bearing!

Post by **scot850** » 10 Feb 2022, 15:59

I had a buddy who changed both front wheel bearings on his Nissan as he thought the bearings were going out. Didn't associate the winter tire swap over with the issue starting!

Neil

Post by **erikv11** » 10 Feb 2022, 18:30

454cid wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 13:25
erikv11 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 09:48 Even here in Iowa the FWD does well with all season stock size. I still prefer a set of winter tires/wheels for the worst days but the FWD does well. These cars are really heavy, that helps.
On my Saturn, I went with a dedicated snow tire and they were great. I had intended to get a second set of rims and then buy "summer" tires as well, but I was having a hard time finding a decent set of rims locally. I ended up just running the winter tires year round, and much to my surprise they wore very well. They're still on the car. I've been scanning FB Marketplace for Volvo rims, and not finding much nearby. Admittedly, I have not tried a local yard yet.

Not actually having a second set of rims, is another reason, I'm tempted to skip the snow tires for now, and just get something designed to run year round.

The snow tire, I have is the GT Radial Champiro Icepro 3. For those that don't know, GTRadial is the North American brand of Giti Tire, based in Singapore. My tires are made in China, which surprises me a bit, since they're the first tire I've truly been impressed with over the life of the tire.

I've contemplated taking the tires off the Saturn, and putting them on the Volvo, but I don't have anything else for the Saturn to sit on... logs??? I'm sure my neighbors would report me to the city

Wheels? I've got spare wheels! But you're probably not nearby.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Feb 2022, 18:40

Don’t Saturns come with rings?

( back under my bridge….)

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 10 Feb 2022, 22:04

scot850 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 15:59 I had a buddy who changed both front wheel bearings on his Nissan as he thought the bearings were going out. Didn't associate the winter tire swap over with the issue starting!

Neil

Wow, maybe I've been listening to more tire than I realized.