Aftermarket wheels
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Toyo Versado Noir All-season tires are also proven to have good traction on slippery surfaces. As for rims, check out 4wheelonline, they have a wide selection of aftermarket wheels.
By law we must use a winter tire with the snow flake on it for the winter months.
At this point the Blizzak and Michelin X-ice Xi3 look like the top contenders.
We are very rural and our roads are the last in the area to be plowed so probably the Blizzak is the way to go.
We have always had a Jeep for the winter months but trying to downsize to the one year round vehicle.
Still have my 4X4 truck if it gets really nasty.
At this point the Blizzak and Michelin X-ice Xi3 look like the top contenders.
We are very rural and our roads are the last in the area to be plowed so probably the Blizzak is the way to go.
We have always had a Jeep for the winter months but trying to downsize to the one year round vehicle.
Still have my 4X4 truck if it gets really nasty.
I've been partial to Firestone Winter Forces over the Blizzaks. They do really well if you get relatively deep snow and need something to dig your way through. One does need to pay attention on wet warm pavement though i've learned. Waiting till October or a good sale to buy a set for my '18. Cringing at the price of a set of wheels. I didn't buy a spare set for my '12 and debating on doing so now or never on my '18.
Running 235/60-16 on my 2015 Soul ... no problems so far (approx 5000 miles)
Tall & Wide!
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The Blizzaks are great ice tires and very good on compacted snow, but if you've got to dig through unplowed snow, you're better off with something like the Winterforces or Gislaveds (probably hard to find in NA) or Nokian's Nordman line, with blocky tread that will chew through the snow rather than a tread that maximizes rubber contact with packed snow/ice.
We've been running General Altimax Arctics on my wife's Gen 1 Soul here in Minnesota after several years of running Nokian Hakka 7s; the Arctics offer much the same performance and margin as the Nokians at maybe half the cost, with the price being the last 5-10% of traction and maybe a little more noise on dry pavement. But we largely drive on packed snow and ice and refreeze, not on unplowed roads.
Nice rims!
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Your black wheels look very good.
Had a 1992 Nissan Sentra when living in Flagstaff 1993-1997.
Mounted studded tires on basic steel wheels for winter.
Two daughters took it to Yosemite in winter with studded tires/wheels in trunk.
Changed out when they got to snow.
Studded tires worked great, but during that trip, in Yosemite National Park, they were hit TWICE, by chained vehicles! Minor dents, fortunately.
Chains are better in snow, especially deep, but studs generally better on ice.
Had a 1992 Nissan Sentra when living in Flagstaff 1993-1997.
Mounted studded tires on basic steel wheels for winter.
Two daughters took it to Yosemite in winter with studded tires/wheels in trunk.
Changed out when they got to snow.
Studded tires worked great, but during that trip, in Yosemite National Park, they were hit TWICE, by chained vehicles! Minor dents, fortunately.
Chains are better in snow, especially deep, but studs generally better on ice.
Well I'll be damned. Did you still paint them?
(I'll keep reading to find out)
Those came out nice 🙂
Do you remember what kind of paint you used?
Thanks! I use automotive base/clear so its the stock Kia color. You can get pretty close out of a spray can, start with an etching primer and then a couple of coats of a good wheel paint.
We did end up with Blizzak WS90 tires and loved them this winter.
In the spring we installed a new set of aftermarket wheels and love the look.
Just so I understand correctly, the 1st option is a trip to the parts dept. at Kia and the 2nd option is a little less expensive with a trip to Home Depot or Lowe's?
1st option is done with professional auto body paint with a spray system and not spray cans. I used to paint a few cars and still paint my own stuff. The second option is going to be best unless you have the body shop type equipment. Get the paint at an auto parts store not HD. There are good videos on YouTube about painting wheels. Like any paint job the prep work is very important. I have had good results with this stuff:
![137066]()
Make sure to use a good primer under it like this:
![Liquid Drink Packaging and labeling Personal care Solvent]()
Make sure to use a good primer under it like this:
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Hello Pavel, They are just hubcaps on universal 16 inch steel wheels from Amazon. The hubcaps are from "Hub Cap Mike's" on the internet..... Hubcaps Wheel Covers | Hubcap Mike's | Buy New Hub Caps Online
Called "Smoothies" expensive and fragile, like an empty beer can. But the ladies love it!
![Tire Wheel Automotive side-view mirror Vehicle Car]()
Called "Smoothies" expensive and fragile, like an empty beer can. But the ladies love it!
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Thank you!
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