Quietest snow tire?

How did we drive all those years before TPMS sensors?

 

I'm not sure I'd have TPMS sensors in the same category as traction/stability controls/abs/air bags. If your tire blows out at 70mph, the sensor isn't going to help you steer to the side of the road.

 

I'm not sure I'd have TPMS sensors in the same category as traction/stability controls/abs/air bags. If your tire blows out at 70mph, the sensor isn't going to help you steer to the side of the road.

 

I'm not sure I'd have TPMS sensors in the same category as traction/stability controls/abs/air bags. If your tire blows out at 70mph, the sensor isn't going to help you steer to the side of the road.

 

I'm not sure I'd have TPMS sensors in the same category as traction/stability controls/abs/air bags. If your tire blows out at 70mph, the sensor isn't going to help you steer to the side of the road.

 

No, it's your call, though I guess I am trying to make a convert, LOL. There probably are wheel covers, to pretty them up, but then you're into cheap aluminum rim territory, dollar wise.

But I don't understand the "no spare" you mention. Maybe you're muddled? I've got a regular 3rd gen Prius, albeit with the 17" OEM tires. 15" snows work fine though.

 

It's 4 degrees centigrade and raining..., I think today's the day. Any time ambient temps fall below 7 deg the snows have an advantage, due to staying more pliable. One advantage to black steel rims (anyone remember silver steel rims?), they really say snow tire:



Centre caps would help.

 

I got the Michelin X-Ice 3s yesterday and they were quite quiet on the drive home. Of course, it was only a short trip so I will have to wait until work on Monday for a better idea of how quiet the tires are.

I have this stud/rod sticking out of the front tires (as shown below). I got it installed at Costco, did they forget to remove the studs or is it suppose to be like that?

Also, there is some rust on the inside of my allow wheels. Is this normal? Can/should I do something about it?


Thank you for your time.

 

The oem aluminum rims are corrosion prone at the points of contact, especially around the centre hub, they'll almost glue on. In my experience at least it's not the solid locked-on corrosion: a little bit of kicking pushing and they'll come loose. I wire brush it off, both on the brake caliper hub and the back of the wheel. A smallish copper bristle (steel will do, but copper is more gentle) brush is good for this. I also use the brush on the stud threads, clear them a bit.

Then, before putting wheels on, I put a sparing amount of anti-seize compound on all the contact points. You want it complete but very thin: centrifugual force will cause it to migrate outwards, even when applied sparingly.

The "stud/rod" is unfortunately the main front hub bolt. If it didn't protrude out the kind of centre caps that come with 17" rims would cover that. They're a perfect fit on the Corolla steel rims, but that hub bolt sticks out to far, will pop them off.

(I just came in from putting ours on )

 

To me TPMS sensors are about convenience, not a life saving improvement.

Any pics of the entire car?
I just got an email, I can get the black 17" scion TC wheels with Blizzaks for $500. Comes with TPMS, which I would have to reprogram. Strongly considering it....

 

Almost the whole car, and yes, they do look funky

The (15") steel rims were $70 per, actually Corolla.

 

This weekend I asked my bro in-law (he's owned/operated a auto repair shop for 35+ years) if I should get dedicated rims for my snows or just have him mount them on the OEM rims- he said without question get rims for the snows. He mentioned wear and tear on the OEM rims and the tires as the main reason for getting dedicated rims for the snows.

As to the TPMS sensors- I'll do without for 3 months- none of my other cars have them and it hasn't caused a problem yet.