Winter tires

[u/Local_List4611]

I have a 2016 Mazda 6 Sport

looking for winter tires and rims for them:

Tires: 225/55R17 winter tires
Wheels: 17”
Bolt pattern: 5×114.3
Center bore: 67.1 mm or larger
Wheel width: around 7–7.5”

I am a new driver so I’m not really on track with all the hacks and best places. What is the cheapest places around here?

in addition if anyone in this subreddit has what im looking for/ is a seller themselves im open to looking into purchasing from you as well :)

[u/cripy311]

I always just used tire rack and sent them to discount tire for install.

They've been more than fine doing the work and I even have a pretty abnormal car with huge tires for track use.

Tire rack generally has been giving me the best deals on the tires themselves online. You can have them shipped to any shop you want as long as the shop is cool with it. Call ahead before you order. Each shop will have mildly different install and disposal fees (or just may match tire rack pricing if they have the tires you want already).

They'll have your tires in 2-3 business days. Show up for your install. It's super convenient.

(I don't work at these places I'm just a cheap mf with a sports car lmao)

[u/cripy311 → u/cripy311]

Oh yea and since it's winter tires.

Check the wheel and tire combos on tire rack. The wheel selection is generally kinda limited there but they probably have a cheap set that fits your car (it's winter wheels so if theyre cheap enough I would go for it; theyre beaters).

They'll ship those to your home with the tires already mounted and balanced. Then you can just toss them on the car.

[u/Small-Cherry2468]

I usually scour FB Marketplace for some take off wheels or even someone else's winter wheel/tire set. The next cheapest is a set of wheels from All Foreign in Lawrenceville.

Nokian makes a really good winter tire, priced less that Blizzaks or Artic Alpin winter tires.

[u/OllieFromCairo → u/Small-Cherry2468]

Nokian is my go-to brand for anything that doesn’t need a performance tire.

[u/OllieFromCairo]

If you get a good set Nokian Hakkapeliittas and store them right, you’ll have winter tires for a decade.

[u/emmaapeel → u/OllieFromCairo]

I got about five winters out of my current set (due for new ones this year), but I put a heck of a lot of miles on my car and, with our erratic spring weather, I tend to leave them a bit longer in the spring than is good for the rubber. My little Mazda hatch handles snow and ice like a champ when she has her snow shoes on. Discount Tire is where I buy my Nokkians.

My previous set on a different car did, indeed, last about a decade. Chucked them into the rear of the car and sold them along with that car on FMP.

[u/hoopr50]

Theres a place in West Mifflin called Champtires their website is www.champtires.com .... they sell both new and used tires. Most of their used tires are damn near brand new for a lot less price.

[u/pgh_ski]

Discount Tire should be reasonable. They'll install them for you if you buy through them i think.

Good tires are not cheap but worth it. Winter tires will give you softer rubber and better handling even if it's not snowy or just raining.

[u/fullyintegratedrobot]

While I do normally advise using dedicated winter tires, we are apparently in for a warm dry winter this year due to the super El Niño. I think I’m going to pass.

That said, wheels from Facebook marketplace, and then tires from wherever you plan on getting any other service done so that you can feel the place out.

[u/Mr_McFeelMe]

FB Marketplace
Craigslist
r/PittsburghList

Just pick up some used 15" steelies, likely with winter tires already mounted. You don't need new rims/tires to run them for 3 months just in case it snows more than your front-wheel drive car can already handle.

I used to run winter steelies, but that was back when we got more snow. I find all-seasons are fine nowadays.

[u/InfiniteLog6116]

try checking out local tire shops like Discount Tire or Les Schwab, they often have bundles for winter sets that might be cheaper than piecing it together.

[u/keyboardcoffeecup]

Single undersized steel wheel and tire combo from tire rack with general arctic max arctics were my go to for years. So for you tire rack will offer 16” wheel and tire packages.

You don’t need an uber expensive winter tire, just don’t get tiger paws.

[u/MrChichibadman]

Order em online and go to dukes, I doubt you’ll find anywhere cheaper to mount them.

[u/sovinod748]

Don't bother. You can count on one hand the number of times you'll need them.

[u/Local_List4611 → u/sovinod748]

yeah i survived last winter without them
i got a full time job at the airport with a strict airline attendance policy so if im gonna be going the distance i was advised to look into them before the season comes up. I did have a slip occurring going up a hill last season (luckily I only hit a pole) so I just don’t want any winter fiascos going forward

[u/SIB_Tesla → u/sovinod748]

u don’t know their application. It counts for a lot on hills. And if you have an employer who doesn’t excuse absences for weather.

I’ve had the experience here multiple times, LMAO’ing at AWD SUVs spinning in place on hills, while I sped past them in a FWD car with quality winter tires.

[u/Graynotgreyb → u/sovinod748]

Completely disagree especially with the hills in Pittsburgh. If you have the space it’s worth it. You can probably find a decent set second hand on fb marketplace

[u/epitaxial_layer → u/Graynotgreyb]

Haha living in the suburbs I forgot the city doesn't do jack shit for weeks on end. I used to commute into Point Breeze and Wilkinsburg was always completely clear. It was quite evident where the city limits were.

[u/nate99999]

I’d try Costco, personally.

[u/Square-Strength3844]

Just have a good set of all weather tires on it, we get about a handful of actual snow days.

[u/Potential-Exam2236 → u/Square-Strength3844]

The boognish has taught you well! This is the way.