Has anyone found a source for dedicated winter wheels ?

I have been looking into the same issue myself as it's next to impossible to find any 235/60R17's let alone a winter tire :frozen:

The best option I can find so far is the Michelin X-ice. You have go to a 225/65R17 which is still within the allowable limits. I went to Costco and they use a special calculator to determine if they can/will sell you the tires. if you go to sources like www.1010tire.com and www.tirerack.com and research this tire if gets consistently great reviews.

1/2 way down the chart your will see standard winter tire's rated

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresult...74x032&code=yes


The Blizzaks are also available in that size but after doing some research I have seen they do not put the critical siping throughout the entire tread, only about 50% of the way down so you don't get the full benefit for the life of the tire as your tire is wearing down and you could use it more.

I have not tried either of these tires so please do your own research. I love the Nokian RSI's but they aren't available in the sizes required even on the 16" rims :(

There are some pretty bad reviews for the LX4 that come as the standard OEM tire so in the spring I am just going to purchase a set of Goodyear TripleTread's when the winters come off. I'm am far from being Mr. Moneybags :grin: but my life, and that of my family, is far more important then a couple of extra dinners out or a big screen tv (ok, a lot of extra dinners and my tv is 7 years old but you get my drift ;) )

Please let me know if you come across any other reviews or experiences. Thanks

Update:

I ended up going to Hyudai and getting the 16" rims for the Entourage as there do not appear to be any after market rims available for this van yet :( To add insult to injury the black winter rims cost $440 + tax vs under $300 at Canadian Tire for 16" winter rims.

The only saving grace for me is that Costco Canada has the Michellin Lat X-Ice for $698 w/tax and installed until Nov 8th. I live in Calgary so taxes will be higher in other provinces. Now I just have to find a good book to read as it's first come first served at Costco and I don't want to accidently walk out with a big screen tv while the tires are being put on :whistling:

This post has been edited by Paul B: Oct 10 2007, 08:52 PM

I suggest getting different winters not exactly the same 235/60R17. Although not recommended you can also get them from your dealership but they will charge a premium

I have downsized from 17's to 16's mounted on steel rims. I paid about $40 per rim, mine are actually factory Toyota Tacoma steel wheels (yes they fit just fine). Tire size is 215/70R16 (Firestone Winterforce tires) forget what I paid for the tires however.

Great snow tire (little noisy) and this tire size raises the van a little giving you some more clearance and the narrower profile helps cut through snow as opposed to ridding on top of it.

The stock tire 235-60-17 is 28.100" tall.
The 215-70-16 you put on is 27.850".

The .125...... 1/8" change in clearance probably won't be noticed.

I'm actually surprised the 16" wheels cleared the calipers.

This post has been edited by RCOONS: Jul 30 2008, 08:14 PM