How is an FX W/20's in the snow?

M

mikeb33

Member
Location
Chicagoland
Living in the Chicago area, we can get some heavy snowfall. I have the AWD version W/20's. I have Pirelli Scorpion STRs with about 50% tread life. I only bought it in May so I don't know what the winter will be like?
I am considering some winter tires, what do you guys think?
I should mention that I don't drive to work, I have a work van for that.
 
the 20's are fine in the snow with all seasons. you will be fine i drove through the PA mountains in my sport chrome 20's with parada spec-x and I was fine :)


but yeah, for the winter now i have stock 18's with bridgestone BLIZZAK tires, they are amazing in the snow..... so if you have the extra cash, go for a winter set of wheels, if not, the 20's will do just fine
 
Check your PM, I live in Chicago and have a great winter setup (18" wheels + blizzak winter tires).

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=184

20's are fine, but really depends on the tire. The Pirelli Scorpion STR don't get high ratings in snow and being 50% worn (ratings off tirerack), I would say you're better off getting a dedicated set.

All-season is great, but dedicated snow tire/wheel setup is ideal. Chicago snow does get bad as I've been here all my life, so getting an extra set was a must for me. Shameless plug for an extra winter set I have.

Prada Spec X as JBaker mentions and Hankook RH06 Ventus are good all-seasons for winter, but night/day difference with snow tires.
 
I like the idea of a complete set, but what about my TPMS sensors? Swapping all 4 takes the simplicity out of the deal. Anybody know how much 4 new ones cost? How do I make it recognize the new ones, and not the other 4 stacked in my garage?
 
mikeb33 said:
I like the idea of a complete set, but what about my TPMS sensors? Swapping all 4 takes the simplicity out of the deal. Anybody know how much 4 new ones cost? How do I make it recognize the new ones, and not the other 4 stacked in my garage?
Click to expand...

i dont use tpms on either set of wheels. to buy a new set isnt too expensive
 
mikeb33 said:
I like the idea of a complete set, but what about my TPMS sensors? Swapping all 4 takes the simplicity out of the deal. Anybody know how much 4 new ones cost? How do I make it recognize the new ones, and not the other 4 stacked in my garage?
Click to expand...

http://revolutionsupply.com/(S(koxp5r55d4xj1i45ipnqho2l))/TPMS/AppGuide.aspx

OEM = $59.92 each
"Aftermarket" (made by same maker of OEM, just not Nissan part number) = $53.93 each
True Aftermarket made by Oro Tek = $48.54 each

I have 4 OEM in my 22's (sensors that came with my car) and 4 Oro Tek Sensors in my Winter Setup, so both work great.

Many do not choose to get TPMS in both sets -- If you have them right now, and you put on winter tires w/out TPMS, you will get no reading for air pressure. But when you put your summer wheels on, they will recognize.

If you want TPMS in both winter and summer sets, only the dealer can sync the TPMS with the Car Computer -- so you need to bring it in. They typically charge 1/2 hour of labor, but it takes them under 5 minutes to do it (I watched them do it). Nissan typically does this for free if I'm getting any other service done if I ask them.
 
I went through last winter with all season Falken Ziex's (bought the FX used with these tires on em) without an issue. Even was able to plow through a Chicago alley. I bought the FX with AWD so I wouldn't have to keep an extra set of snows around.

Sure I don't get the summer performance, but I've been pretty happy with its winter performance.

I'd imagine on dedicated snow tires (had them on an S2000) it'd be like white on rice.
 
The tires are a big part of it. The stock Goodyear RS-A's are terrible on snow and ice. People have gotten better results with some of the other brands. I personally prefer having a dedicated set of snow tires since I drive out to Michigan in the winters to visit the in-laws. But if I were to just stay in the city, all seasons should be just fine.
 
I have 20's with all season mud and snow tires with all wheel drive - easy to get going - harder to stop. Winters are a good idea and the 18s will save you some cash...
 
Hum, so i am debating between getting 18" or 20" for winter wheels..... So far this thread tells me that they're both okay but the most important thing are the tires itself, am i right?

I am looking at the new ones blizzard DM-V1 the replacements of DM-Z3.... heard they were better and they last longer in terms of usage.

Im leaning towards the 20", anyone wants to convince me not to and why not?

Thanks
 
PRICE31 said:
Hum, so i am debating between getting 18" or 20" for winter wheels..... So far this thread tells me that they're both okay but the most important thing are the tires itself, am i right?

I am looking at the new ones blizzard DM-V1 the replacements of DM-Z3.... heard they were better and they last longer in terms of usage.

Im leaning towards the 20", anyone wants to convince me not to and why not?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Just price, 20's are typically more expensive. Tire diameter isn't as important as tire width here. Narrower the tire, the better it can cut through snow, but still not a "huge" difference. I went with 20's because they look better than 18's...
 
Cost and looks are the main considerations between 18" and 20". If cost difference is small I'd say go for 20s since it looks way better!

Performance wise, a narrower width snow tire technically should have better traction than a wider tire. There will be more & cheaper tire/rim choices in the 18" range if u wanted to go smaller and skinnier. Under most conditions however, the performance difference is minimal and there isn't really a need to consider dropping down from 265 width to say something like 235/245. U can't go wrong either way...any snow tire is better than no snow tire.
 
X-ice 2 by michelin is the bomb. but for my G i go with the pilot alpin by michelin. bacause they still preform good when there is no snow and the roads are just cold.
 
I'm on my second set of Blizak winter tires (20") for my FX35. The snow tires are so much better than all-seasons in the snow. The only time I got stopped was when I was pushing snow over my hood. I simply backed up and used a shovel to clear some snow and went on.
 
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