Suggestions for replacing winter tires

[sifan]

When I bought my used 2000 Toyota Echo, it came with a set of snow tires. They are about three years old according to the previous owner from Canada. I intend to keep them during this winter in case of snow, and replace them with all season tires next spring(the snow tires make lots of noise and friction on highway). Since they are the first set of snow tires under my ownership, I have several questions:

1) Should I buy another set of 14" rims for the new all weather tires next spring for easy interchange with the snow tires in future winter?
2) If a new set of rims is needed, should the rims be alloy or steel? Would you recommend buying from Tire Rack with a tire/rim package?
3) What brand of all season tires would you recommend? My daily commute to work is only 6 miles one way, so, the new tires won't see much mileage over 5 years.
4) How do I store the snow tires (I have no garage)?

Thanks.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: sifan

1) Should I buy another set of 14" rims for the new all weather tires next spring for easy interchange with the snow tires in future winter?

Judging by your other question, you don't really have a place to store them, so I would say no. Also, are you willing to swap them twice a year? For some, it's called "easy interchange", but many others consider it a major chore and they refuse to do it by themselves anyway.

The cheapest thing to do would be to ditch the winter tires and mount a new set of all-season tires on the existing rims.

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2) If a new set of rims is needed, should the rims be alloy or steel?

It doesn't really matter. It's all about the looks.

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Would you recommend buying from Tire Rack with a tire/rim package?

If you need a package, sure.

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3) What brand of all season tires would you recommend?

Read the reviews and tests at TireRack - it should help you narrow it down. Make sure they are highly rated for winter performance if you'll be using them year round.

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4) How do I store the snow tires (I have no garage)?


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=37

 

[Kestas]

If you plan to have a dedicated set of four winter tires and interchange with summer tires, I suggest getting four steel rims. They are cheaper. Alloy rims are mainly for looks. Maybe you can get a set of rims from the salvage yard.

The brand of all-season tires is a personal choice. Go to Tirerack.com and navigate through their site. They do an excellent job of helping you shop.

 

[sifan]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I will keep the snow tires with the original rims. Despite being 3 year old the snow tires have seen little mileage. I think my wife's 2003 Toyota Echo could use them in winter. She has complained about the poor performance of the factory tires on her car just two weeks ago.