Winter rims

[howe]

Hi ... my OE rims are 17 x7 x 45 offset , for the winter I can buy some cheap steel rims that are 17 x 6.5 x 39 offset . does anyone know if this will work ...my snow tires suit the OE rims....thanks

[silver04rollas]

Yes, you can. However, with narrow width on the wheels, you will have go get your alignment re-adjusted everytime you swap your wheels. General rule is, if your width changes when you swap wheels or tires, the car needs to be re-aligned.

[neuspeedescort]

Originally Posted by silver04rollas

Yes, you can. However, with narrow width on the wheels, you will have go get your alignment re-adjusted everytime you swap your wheels. General rule is, if your width changes when you swap wheels or tires, the car needs to be re-aligned.

i have never heard this. how does changing your tires change you alignment? it doesn't.

as for rims. we have an 03 awd xr with stock 16's. we got studs for those and we have nice motegi 17's for the spring and summer.


NEUMAN

[fishexpo101]

^^^^

Depends on the shop and their view on alignment.

Some shops will recommend an alignment any time the contact patch changes on the car from the previous setting. Some shops only recommend an alignment when gross suspension changes the angles.

Personally, I just go on where or not the car pulls and/or I start seeing abnormal tire wear. In fact, my 2002 Corolla has never seen an alignment since I bought the car late in 2001. Five sets of tires, three sets of wheels, new struts and performance springs installed. Some cars I've had couldn't go more than a year without something screwing with the alignment. A mix of being lucky and having a car that is forgiving of alignment mismatches.

[toyota200x]

I would go with 195-65/15 tires. Narrower tire does better in the snow & is cheaper. 15" wheels fit. I have them on my Matrix XRS with snow tires on it.

[paladin_omega]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

^^^^

Depends on the shop and their view on alignment.

Some shops will recommend an alignment any time the contact patch changes on the car from the previous setting. Some shops only recommend an alignment when gross suspension changes the angles.

Personally, I just go on where or not the car pulls and/or I start seeing abnormal tire wear. In fact, my 2002 Corolla has never seen an alignment since I bought the car late in 2001. Five sets of tires, three sets of wheels, new struts and performance springs installed. Some cars I've had couldn't go more than a year without something screwing with the alignment. A mix of being lucky and having a car that is forgiving of alignment mismatches.

That's not what's being talked about here. Of course you will most likely need an alignment if you make modification to your suspension. If you hit the curb hard enough you may need an alignment.

What is being said is that if you change your tires there is no need to get an alignment. That is 100% accurate. Your alignment doesn't even begin to play a role in changing your tires. If someone is trying to sell you an alignment while changing your tires it's a cash grab and you should not go to this shop. There is no "view" or "philosophy" at play here.