Topic: Winters coming, pop quiz.. what do you do?

[dkaz]

Alloy wheels are subject to pitting corrosion due to salt though, and get damaged more easily if you hit say a curb hidden in the snow.

In before someone says salt and snow in Vancouver?

All this talk about alloys in the winter and most Edmontonians drive around dirt caked cars in the winter.

[Northernridge]

You won't impress hillbillies, deer or farmers in central Manitoba with winter alloys on a pickup, plus no one will even see them...

[aquadorhj]

I consider black steelies a Canadian badge of honour.

I consider them crap.  For me OEM alloys = Winter wheels.

the other way around for me.     i don't want to get staggered sized winter tires... so aftermarket 8x18 for winter.

[blotter]

i don't have snows on mine.  Didn't bother spending the money since we only plan to have it for the 4 year lease.

But my wife's car gets the snow tires.

[Fobroader]

You won't impress hillbillies, deer or farmers in central Manitoba with winter alloys on a pickup, plus no one will even see them...

 

[bridgecity]

I have two sets of the oem alloys for summer and winter for the Tundra.  I got a hell of a deal on a set on kijiji, so I couldn't pass them up.  The CR-V has the cheap LX model steelies for winter.  I regret buying those, they look like a**.  Wish I would have went with a set of alloys.

[dr_spock]

At least put caps on the black steelies.   No air leaks from alloy corrosions.   

[evil_twin]

Maaaaybe there's an argument for steelies in Alberta, but I've never had an issue with alloys in winter here in Ontario.  And we do still get a sh!tload of salt on our roads which is the real culprit for corrosion.

I just can't fathom why people would spend so much money on a car and then choose to save $100 with steelies and have it look like crap for at least 30% of their ownership.  You can buy cheapo alloys for so little, it's a ridiculous decision.

If you're driving a pickup truck in Fort McMurray, fine, enjoy your steel.



 

[bridgecity]

I spent 9 years in Alberta.  In my experience, the salting/sanding practices on highways are harsher on vehicles in Saskatchewan  .  YMMV.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Alloy wheels are subject to pitting corrosion due to salt though, and get damaged more easily if you hit say a curb hidden in the snow.

^This

I don't have to drive far in winter to see a flat. It's almost always a car with alloys.

It was the same back home.

I've used black steelies in winter for a long, long time. Once every 4-5 winters, get the wire brush out and a rattle can and you're back in business. You can't do that with alloys. Moisture gets caught under the urethane topcoat, and progresses under it. One or two winters and alloys look like crap.

[random006]

I'm hoping more, "Nice rims for both sets".  We're supposed to be car people FFS.

 

Same with the steelie option.  I use silver steelies in the winter.  To them, I add silver wheel covers.

Silver is cool.  Black blows, unless you are law enforcement.   

[me_2]

My vote went to steelies when I bought my Volt her winter shoes last year...




My Saturn 2000 SW2 had the same benefit, pictured here May 2013 after the steelies removed



My garaged Saturn 2001 SW2 doesn't need any

[HeliDriver]

This is a picture of my 1999 Civic, taken before I sold it in the spring of 2010. Note the alloy wheels (OE Acura). Those were my winter alloys and were on the car for nine Alberta winters.

I never had any issues with corrosion, flats or slow leaks, and if you zoom in on the picture, I believe you will see that the finish still looks just fine. 1,000x better than black steelies, anyway.

[random006]

Here is a picture from an older thread:




Silver steel rims with silver covers.  Way cool.

They will be going on the car in about three to four weeks.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This is a picture of my 1999 Civic, taken before I sold it in the spring of 2010. Note the alloy wheels (OE Acura). Those were my winter alloys and were on the car for nine Alberta winters.

I never had any issues with corrosion, flats or slow leaks, and if you zoom in on the picture, I believe you will see that the finish still looks just fine. 1,000x better than black steelies, anyway.

Anything can be done given enough effort and resources.

[dkaz]

I wonder how the Sacchi winter alloys that Canadian Tire sells holds up to winter conditions. Costco has winter alloy wheels now too.

I think a good application of sealant will help keep OE alloy wheels in mint condition through the winter, if the winters are not too harsh.

[HeliDriver]

This is a picture of my 1999 Civic, taken before I sold it in the spring of 2010. Note the alloy wheels (OE Acura). Those were my winter alloys and were on the car for nine Alberta winters.

I never had any issues with corrosion, flats or slow leaks, and if you zoom in on the picture, I believe you will see that the finish still looks just fine. 1,000x better than black steelies, anyway.

Anything can be done given enough effort and resources.

LOL. I'm laughing because I am definitely not obsessive about car care! (Well, the cosmetic stuff. Mechanical is different)

In the ten years I owned that car, I waxed it exactly once. I never washed it by hand, but did take it to either the coin op wash or the touchless drive-through a couple of times a week in the winter.

Same with the GTI: I bought a can of wax and some fancy applicator pads when the car was new, thinking I should get off to a good start. 3 1/2 years later, and the wax is still sitting, unopened, in the garage. 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This is a picture of my 1999 Civic, taken before I sold it in the spring of 2010. Note the alloy wheels (OE Acura). Those were my winter alloys and were on the car for nine Alberta winters.

I never had any issues with corrosion, flats or slow leaks, and if you zoom in on the picture, I believe you will see that the finish still looks just fine. 1,000x better than black steelies, anyway.

Anything can be done given enough effort and resources.

LOL. I'm laughing because I am definitely not obsessive about car care! (Well, the cosmetic stuff. Mechanical is different)

In the ten years I owned that car, I waxed it exactly once. I never washed it by hand, but did take it to either the coin op wash or the touchless drive-through a couple of times a week in the winter.

Same with the GTI: I bought a can of wax and some fancy applicator pads when the car was new, thinking I should get off to a good start. 3 1/2 years later, and the wax is still sitting, unopened, in the garage. 

  I can relate!

[quadzilla]

I went alloys for winter.  At least show your car in real winter conditions.

[blotter]

LOL. I'm laughing because I am definitely not obsessive about car care! (Well, the cosmetic stuff. Mechanical is different)

In the ten years I owned that car, I waxed it exactly once. I never washed it by hand, but did take it to either the coin op wash or the touchless drive-through a couple of times a week in the winter.

My last to cars I was crazy with car care.
they didn't go 2 weeks without a good wash.  In the winter, I would presure wash the salt off everything Sunday night.   I did the 3 stage wash, prep and wax twice a year.   I had grand plans to keeping them for a long time.... but stuff happened and I didn't

the Matrix... i've washed it once this year.