The Vibe switches into "Winter Mode"

[ColonelPanic]

Got my new 15" steelies and Blizzaks on today... So naturally, we probably won't see any amount of snow great enough to warrant such tires. Knowing my luck, the only time I would have needed 'em this season was when I couldn't get the car home a couple weeks ago after that snow and ice storm.. Who knows, but I didn't want to risk it again... I really like these tires! A bit more noisy and softer handling than I have with my 16" "all-seasons." But on the plus side, the car rides great - very cushy ride, if you're into that kind of thing like I am. And with all the rain we've had here, it still sticks to the road fairly well. Now, I need some help with finding a set of wheel covers for these things... Running around with these nekkid wheels just bugs me... For those of you who are running a different set of wheels & tires in the winter, what are you doing about wheel covers?I *thought* I would be good to go, since there's a set of 15" wheel covers that came off a late-model Pontiac something or other down at the folk's house I could use. To make a long story short, they won't work - for a variety of reasons...Now, I ask if anyone knows of any good places on the 'net that sell a pleathora of different wheel covers? I've looked around quite a bit, found a few places, but wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations of where to look that I haven't found out yet... I'd like something that's a simulated Pontiac wheel cover of some description. I did find this style, which I *would* buy, IF I could find a silver, non-chrome version. Some sort of Sunfire wheel cover replica... Looks kinda, sorta, maybe a little Pontiac-ish.http://www.autoamenity.com/KartList/417.htmI like the look of those, but I don't know about chrome on my Neptune 2-tone, would that be too tacky? I'll keep looking, and thanks in advance if anyone has any suggestions!

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[Mr. Poopypants]

3 words for ya brother! SPINNER WHEEL COVERS

[nismo]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

[ColonelPanic]

(removed)! That's funny! When I checked Wal-Mart to see what they had, the only ones they had of the 15" variety were the spinning thingies... hmm....Maybe I could go that route! Throw on a set of those and a fart can, I'll be ready to tackle anything!edit: woah, check out this selection: http://www.autopure.com/Spinner.htm (removed)!

[ColonelPanic]

I ended up ordering those snazzy chromium ones that I posted above... hehehe... Pics to follow, when I get 'em in. I'll probably see if Ryan of grafxwerks can hook me up with some sort of a nifty Pontiac center overlay. The chrome's probably going to be a bit much for my tastes, but will be toned down in no time thanks to the brake dust, rain, salt, mud, whatever. So they'll be brown like the rest of the car. lol!!

[drunkenmaxx]

i would totally get the spinning wheel covers, just to laugh at them!!

[Triton]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »edit: woah, check out this selection: http://www.autopure.com/Spinner.htm (removed)!That is funny! I especially like the "Aluminum-LOOK" they have.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by Triton »That is funny! I especially like the "Aluminum-LOOK" they have. Sure is... "ALL THING IS STOPPED, IT'S STILL MOVING"Man, I'm stylin' now for sure! Got in my chrome wheel covers today. Woo hoo! These pics oughta be good for a laugh!

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[ColonelPanic]

And another... I'll admit they probably don't look the best being all chrome and stuff, but I sorta like the design and it looks a hell of a lot better than those naked steelies. Ordering some wheel centers from Grafxwerks here in a bit to slap on 'em as well.lol!

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[ColonelPanic]

Now, the project is complete... lol!Grafxwerks overlays installed for the center of the wheel covers.

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[drunkenmaxx]

those are very similar to the stock 16" alloys!

[ColonelPanic]

Yeah, they scream PONTIAC.... lol!Edit: Finally got a pic of 'em during the day. See attachment.And many more here:http://photobucket.com/albums/...0116/This little project turned out better than I was expecting... Looks good enough for me!

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[mikey00]

OK, winters over. How did your Blizzaks work out. I am planning on doing the same here after summer. I would prefer to stick with the stock size if available. Why did you do 15?

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by mikey00 »OK, winters over. How did your Blizzaks work out. I am planning on doing the same here after summer. I would prefer to stick with the stock size if available. Why did you do 15?generally, 15's are much cheaper if you want a separate winter tire/rims than summer.

[NoopyKat]

In BC, we get alot of rain. I have the Toyo Garitt HT and for the amount of snow we had, they were great. We had one dump of a few inches and with the ice that quickly formed in our area, these tires would not slip. I remember being told it has something to do with the crushed walnuts in the compound.

[ColonelPanic]

The Blizzaks did great... But sadly, after getting stuck that one time, we didn't get squat for wintry precipitation for the rest of the season. There was one small snowfall, the tires did really good there. But other than that, it was mainly very rainy weather we had here... They did make one heck of a good rain tire, too bad I didn't get much of a chance to try them out in snow. I went with the 15's mainly for cost reasons, plus I was thinking I may be better off with that size than a low profile 16" tire. I didn't want to get the tires mounted/unmounted every winter, and although I could have bought a set of 16" steel wheels, I went with the cheaper 15" wheel and tire package. They did fine.

[Kari]

Crushed walnuts? Interesting...one would think those would decompose rather quickly...

[Thewhite]

Quote, originally posted by Kari »Crushed walnuts? Interesting...one would think those would decompose rather quickly...no, they're part of the composite, and in so tiny side that is doesn't decompose. they are use for a better grip on the ice.I use also Toyo Garit HT on my OEM 16'' wheel, just finish my 3rd winter (more than 35 000km) with them and will be good for a 4th. Here in Quebec, we received this winter only over 8' of snow, some snowstorm s bringing up to 15'' in 36 hours. I have to make 40 km in those snowstorm to be able to go the Ski resort, and each time I felt safe and the tires made a great job.

[AKLGT]

i just sold my winter tires and rims for $60 usd. they got a great deal, only used for 2 seasons and about 90% of the tread left. however, they do require the special lugs, so they'll have to find a set of those. i figured they'll be paying about $40 for them, so $100 total for them. besides, i don't have any room for them in the storage unit nor did i want to deal with it. so it was a win-win situation.