RALLYT-WRX Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I am getting everything together for the upcoming winter and I was wondering a couple of things: 1. Will the TPMS sensors fit in 17" Rota Sub Zero's? 2. Does anybody run their 18" Spec B wheels in the winter time, fitted with a all season tire of course. If so how did the wheels hold up? My plan is to either replace my existing tires with some all season tread and run my spec B wheels year round, or slap the same all season tires on my spare set of Rota's and run them in the winter. The cheaper alternative (because I don't have to purchase new TPMS sensors) would be to replace the tires with all season's but I am not sure I want to run my 18's in the winter. Opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbrjason Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I'm also debating all seasons on the stock wheels, or getting a set of 17s with dedicated winter. I'm in upstate ny, so winter can be 6+ months of snow/slush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefoy6 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 i'm in northern MN, I found a set of icebear winter tires that fit the 18 wheel nicely. I run the stock 18s all winter long with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RALLYT-WRX Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 i'm in northern MN, I found a set of icebear winter tires that fit the 18 wheel nicely. I run the stock 18s all winter long with no problems. No corrosion problems or dull finish problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs6er Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I'm using 17 Rotas w/ Blizzaks. No TPS. It's really a minor annoyance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonKingKong Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Personally I would never go with all seasons over dedicated summer/winter tires because they always have a compromise, they don't have half the grip of a summer tire during summer weather (dry, wet), and they don't have half the grip as a winter tire during winter weather (snow, ice), but they are able to do both, which makes them the top seller when compared to dedicated summer or winter tires. The factory bridgestone RE050A tires that come with the Spec.B are amazing in the summer months when compared to any all-seasons on the market. They also add to the feel, that is often solely associated to the bilstein struts, that the Spec.B has over the regular Legacy GT. The trouble is when it hits colder temperatures they don't quite have the grip they should have, in fact when the snow hits the ground they are quite scary. So that's when a dedicated winter tire comes into play, but this is coming from someone who lives in Canada, if you don't quite have that harsh of winters and mostly wet, slushy, roads it would seem to make more sense to get an all season tire year round. That in itself lies another problem, because most people get a Spec.B for the handling over the regular Legacy GT, so in order to retain that handling you would have to keep the summer tires during the summer months, so it would make sense to keep those for the summer and get a second set for the winter. This is more of a generic post pertaining to most of the people considering this exact scenario verses directly towards the original poster because I don't exactly know the types of winters Pennsylvania experiences, but since you are considering some sort of cold weather tire this should apply as well. For dedicated winter tires in warmer climates the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D seems so fair considerably well, infact a lot of people say they handle better in the dry then a lot of the all-season tires on the market. For dedicated winter tires in harsh colder climates I would say try a Nokian tire out, I plan on using the new Hakkapeliitta R on my 18" Spec.B wheels for the winter and getting different aftermarket rims when the spring hits. Another thing a lot of people don't consider when it comes to spending money on tires, is that they don't realise that when you use two sets of tires they last twice as long since you only use them half the time. People think that $600.00 all-seasons that you replace every 3 seasons is cheaper then the $1200.00 winter/summers sets that last you 6 seasons, while in the end it could very well equal the same in the long run, but give you twice the grip in either condition. I've dealt with many people when I used to work at a tireshop that would say they didn't need winter tires because they never got into an accident before, during the winter, but why take the risk, why not have the most traction you could possibly have? The statistics show that most fatal automobile accidents during snowy conditions can be attributed to inadequate tires, but i'm sure they saved a few dollars in the process before they died and/or kill someone else in the process. Well enough of my rambling, get some winter tires for the 17" rims if you like the factory 18" rims, if not, throw some winters on the factory 18" rims and get some new rims you like for the summer tires, which I plan on doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs6er Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Another thing a lot of people don't consider when it comes to spending money on tires, is that they don't realise that when you use two sets of tires they last twice as long since you only use them half the time. People think that $600.00 all-seasons that you replace every 3 seasons is cheaper then the $1200.00 winter/summers sets that last you 6 seasons, while in the end it could very well equal the same in the long run, but give you twice the grip in either condition. Another cost factor to consider that saves money with dedicated rims and seasonal tires, is that you don't pay to change them over twice a year. This adds up to a considerable amount of money over several seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh775 Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I plan on using the new Hakkapeliitta R on my 18" Spec.B wheels for the winter and getting different aftermarket rims when the spring hits. Sounds like a great plan to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I've thought long and hard about it and I think I'll be using 18" winter tires on my factory rims - or possibly cheap aftermarket rims. Going with either Pirelli winter 240 Sottozero or Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22. Both V rated 215/45's. Then once my factory summer tires wear out I'll get some new summer rims/tires (WIDER > 215's on 18"??? why'd they go with a 7" rim?) I just don't like going down to 17's for half the year, which is how long winter lasts where I'm from. 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirsimon Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I have a set of Rotas for winter, and another set with my summer-only tires. The winters have the TPMS sensors, the summers have none. The low tire pressure warning was a minor annoyance until I mounted my V1 radar detector remote display on the right side of the gauge cluster, now I never have to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elklander Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 in fact when the snow hits the ground they are quite scary " HE'S GOT THAT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" My wife got out and walked and I was in my Driveway!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RALLYT-WRX Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks for the great advice guys! Here's another question: Are there any insurance claim denial issues when it come to not running the TPMS sensor's in the winter if you happen to get into an accident? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finboy Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 (07 spec B guy here too) -the tire pressure sensors, other than the light on the dash any other issues? eg. abs/traction control issues -on 17 inch rims.. what size tires you guys using for winters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs6er Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 225/45-17. No other issue than the slowly blinking light, mostly obscured by the steering wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finboy Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 a) is there any aftermarket tire pressure sensors b) does it work with the stock system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs6er Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 You can buy TPS from a number of sources (dealer included) and have them installed. They then have to be coded by a Subaru dealer. When you change wheels back in the Spring, your old wheels will have to be recoded. Not worth the $$ or aggravation IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finboy Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 thanks man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonts Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I found a set of 17" wheels and winter rubber for such a great price that I couldn't say no. Only problem is that now I have to sweet talk wife for a new set of summer wheels. Would probably be much less ass kissing if that would be the 2nd set rather than the 3rd ... but oh well. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aczwild Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 (07 spec B guy here too) -the tire pressure sensors, other than the light on the dash any other issues? eg. abs/traction control issues -on 17 inch rims.. what size tires you guys using for winters?225/50/R17 rather beefy and only the Spec can fit them without rubbing due to the Bilsteins JDM'd All to hell Thanks Jimmy @ Hkc-Speed.com! RIP Coxx & Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I'm using 17 Rotas w/ Blizzaks. No TPS. It's really a minor annoyance. Just wondering what rim width you've got on those Rotas and what's the offest? I wasn't sure if any 17's would clear the calipers on the spec B. 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs6er Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 17x7.5 Tarmac2. Don't know the offsets, but no problems at all. Aren't SpecB calipers the same as LGT calipers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Maybe they are, but they SEEM bigger - there's only about 12mm clearance between the spokes and the caliper. I know the rotors are larger in diameter, not sure about thickness. THANKS 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RALLYT-WRX Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 Are the WRX wheels and the Spec B wheels the same offset? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTATV Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 if you go all season i as well as other members have had great luck with Pirelli Pzero Nero All seasons on the stock 18" rims http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/100_4502.jpg just kidding http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2606.jpg http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2605.jpg http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2600.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RALLYT-WRX Posted September 24, 2008 Author Share Posted September 24, 2008 if you go all season i as well as other members have had great luck with Pirelli Pzero Nero All seasons on the stock 18" rims http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/100_4502.jpg just kidding http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2606.jpg http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2605.jpg http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh39/fiidgett2/IMG_2600.jpg How is the handling compared to the stock Bridgestone's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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