I have a 04 es, want to get winter tires this year. I have Michelin pilot exalto a/s now, great tire, about 23000 miles on them. Not that great in the snow. What is a good winter tire for this car? Don't want to spend a lot of money, and also will it damage the Michelin's if I have them taken off the rims and put them back on in the spring, or get some extra rims? Michigan winters can be bad, thanks.

Tim

 

Calculate the cost of mounting and balancing 4 tires twice a year in your area. I'll bet you will be ahead within 2 seasons to buy 4 winter rims and tires, have them mounted/balanced once, and change them over yourself spring and fall. That way, you get to justify buying that compressor and airgun, or an electric one, and you also get to choose when they go on/off, get some exercise, and there's no wasted time with garage appointments and waiting for them to do the job. Also, the rims and tires will get less wear from the tire machine, and once properly balanced, you know they will run right....tire changing machines and their operators are very inconsistent. Just my 2 cents...

 

Makes sense, I have a floor jack, no problem rotating and changing tire myself. I use a 4 way lug wrench, can do a car in less then a hour. Just rotated my brothers Fusion tires, discount tire will do my Lexus for free, bought my tire from them. Thanks for the help. Have a great day!

Tim

 

Do what I did: keep an eye on craigslist, look for some take-off steel rims from a Camry. Then go get some Blizzaks mounted up. Stop by AutoZone and get a cheap set of plastic hubcaps, you'll probably also have to get new lugnuts since the steel rims use nuts with a conical seat. Your factory rims will appreciate not having to see the crummy weather, especially if they salt your roads. The rims on my '98 still look pretty much new.

 

I'm going with firestone winterforce tires with the black steel 16" rims. Got a good price, everything new. Getting them this week while I have the money and still have a job. Thanks for all the help!

Tim

 

Just got my winter tires on. Car looks like a cop car, dark blue, I have front mask or bra on the front, black with black steel rims and no hubcaps. The Firestone winterforce are a little noisy, but its a snow tire. Car rides very good. Belle tire, Shelby Twp. Mich. did a great job, put my Micheiln tires and stock rims in plastic bags so I wouldn't get my trunk all dirty, wifes car too. Great price, beat tire rack. Ready for another crappy winter in Mich.

 

Does anyone know about general altimax snow tires on the es? and i alreayd have black steel rims which i had michelin alphin before which were decent. I love the steel rim black car ski rack winter look ha

 

Check out tirerack.com, lots of good reviews.

 

First big snow for Mich. Got to try out my Firestone winterforce tires on my ugly black rims on my 04 es330. Great snow tires, about 8 inches of snow, lots of drifts and ice. No problems. Got out of work at 11:00p.m. Sun. night, roads are crap. Traction control, abs, all worked great. Drive slow and be careful, got home safe. Should have bought these tires years ago.

Tim

 

I'm using the Blizzak WS-70s on my ES up here in Big Rapids. Got a good dump last night and these tires sure do make driving an ease in the winter!

 

got a set of brand new general altimax's for 360 mounted and everything so i passed on the blizzaks i was originally going to get. Drove down to ski country and the car performed great, love the look with the black steelies ha, anyone have pics of their winter setup?