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I bought a new car back in June this year and the car comes with summer performance tires.

I live in Minnesota and now it's December, so I really want to get snow tires installed instead of driving in summer tires (since I've read that this may damage the treads).

So my question: is it a good idea to keep the summer tires I have and buy new snow tires and mount them for now and when the winter is over, put those summer tires back on?

I know nothing about mounting tires, so I'm concerned that changing tires every year would damage the wheels.

user6332430
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4 Answers4

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As Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 said, saving the rims turns out to be a better solution. Usually, we keep two sets of rims: one with our winter tires, one with our summer tires. A very rough average lifespan (with my driving) for tires is around 3-4 years, so we can just swap our rims 3-4 years in a row before having to replace the tires.

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 mentioned that it keeps your alloy wheels looking nice and it saves money mounting and balancing wheels. All very true. Another benefit that I have found personally is that replacing your own summer tires (except on huge vehicles) is a one hour job for a regular handyman. Hence, money saved.

MonkeyZeus
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anonymous2
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Two sets of wheels/rims, one with each set of tires can be a great idea; although since you mention your car is new, it probably came with a Tire Pressure Management Sensor (TPMS) system, which can complicate things.

It varies by car maker, but some vehicles have no (easy/cheap) way to switch between different TPMS sensors that would be in each set of wheels, which means you would still have to make a trip (and probably pay $$) to your car dealer or mechanic each season to have your car's TPMS system re-programmed to use the other wheel-set's set of TPMS sensors.

More info: http://www.tirereview.com/dealers-drivers-need-to-think-of-tpms-in-winter-tire-changeovers/

Adam Krouskop
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First, you seem to be asking about changing tires on rims between summer and winter which, in addition to being overly burdensome as opposed to having two wheel sets, could be detrimental if tires do not fit properly. Remember that snow tires are narrower than standard tires (performance or otherwise whatever that might mean), so it is recommended that the tires, winter and summer, be compatible with the wheels upon which they are mounted. Check with car or tire manufacturer for that information and comply for your vehicle. Good idea also to have chains in the even it becomes necessary to drive on ice, albeit that driving on ice should be avoided to the max where possible. People in your part of he world will be generally aware of such things.

stevareno
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I don't know how Driver's code work in the USA, so this answer might be terribly wrong, but wouldn't it be cheaper for you to just put chains on the wheels when you expect ice on the road?

I've almost never heard of summer/winter tire changing (Spain), probably because when there's ice, chains are mandatory by law.

CptEric
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