[Kylekuu]

Hi, recently moved to WI for school purposes, haven't been through a whole winter yet. I've driven in snow before but not the amount of snow here. My brother tells me quite often due to the location of where we're at, snw plowing is often late or not often. Last time i was here I was driving a impreza and i skid a little, not too bad, but recoverable. It didn't have snow tires though.

Question is how well do the stock tires hold up in the winter situations? There usually is a layer of snow on the roads here in the winter. Not really slush, and in the mornings sometimes will be harded snow if not ice(ice is rare, but happens)

I'm looking at getting winter wheels, but I don't wanna swap tires and would much rather get a new set of 19's and use the old wheels for the winter set-up; but at the same time I would like to at least finish up the tread on the stock rft. Money is somewhat a issue, since I'm paying for college too, so I can't just buy a temporary set now and get the 19's i want later.

[UdubBadger]

Hey bud,

I went my 1st winter up here in my Xi with the RFT's and it was ok. Last winter I got a dedicated winter setup and it was AMAZING, I think my DTC light went on all of 2 times the entire winter. I would take trips up to Devils Head to snowboard during big snow storms and still be going 80mph+ on the highway to get up there.

It sounds like its gonna be a mild winter this year but I would say if money is tight, you'll be ok without them. However with that being said, its a VERY GOOD investment to have a winter set not only for the snow, but because most tires lose a lot of traction (wet and dry) when the temp drops below 40 degrees. Winter tires are made of a softer compound that gives you grip in the low temps. Increased tread depth obviously helps in deeper snow but it really has to do with how well you tires will stick for braking purposes. The XI can get going very easily on ice or in deep snow but you're braking capabilities will still be decreased greatly if you're not on winter tires.

What school are you at?

[UdubBadger]

what size OEM rims do you have, 17's?

[Kylekuu]

Thx for reply,

Going to UW Parkside, my wheels right now are the sport package wheels 18'

[Darkcyd_Turbo]

Mild winter...lol

everyone always says that and then we get crapped on. i'm swapping my tires for a set of winters. after having them on my s4, i can't live without 'em during the winter!

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by Kylekuu

Thx for reply,

Going to UW Parkside, my wheels right now are the sport package wheels 18'

ah ok.

well you can get a set of 18 inch winters and then just use your OEM rims for them. Then keep saving a little and get some 19's in the spring.

if you check ebay/cragislist or even the classified section here, you can find a set of 4 lightly used winter tires for like $200-400 bucks so you don't have to spend too much and can save as much as possible for the summer wheels you want.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by Darkcyd_Turbo

Mild winter...lol

everyone always says that and then we get crapped on. i'm swapping my tires for a set of winters. after having them on my s4, i can't live without 'em during the winter!

mild winter doesn't mean no snow, just that it'll be above freezing temps more than usual