Based on all the suggestions and feedback, i've made up my mind to buy winter tires and not all season tires.
Please advice on the following:
1. Are new tires really worth it, considering the amount of money i'll be investing, for use over the next 6 months only? Can i stock them after winter is over and get them back on for the next season? How many seasons would they last?
You can store the tires until the next season and use them year after year. The life of the tire will be determined by the miles you drive each season. Most new winter tires can be used for up to 10 years without the rubber dry-rotting so you will likely wear them out long before they age to that point.
There are many recommendations on the forum if you search a little.
3. If i were to go for used tires, How much are they worth spending for? If i am spending $350 for a set of used tires, i'd rather get a set of new tires for $500. Apart from the tread and age, what other factors do i need to look into?
Used tires should be evaluated for tread depth, rubber condition and age. Otherwise, they can be a good choice if you find the right deal.
4. Do i buy tires and get them on the existing rims, or buy tires with rims for easy chage over? Will the extra set of rims be additional maintainence? Rusting and other issues?
You can swap the winter tires for your current tires and swap them back after the season is over, but most members choose to buy a second inexpensive set of wheels to keep the winter tires mounted on to make the change over each season easier.
5. What are the things to be taken care of, after repalcing the tires? Alignment, balancing etc.
The tires should be maintained with balancing and the car alignment for the vehicle and should be done on it's own schedule regardless of swapping tires. It's not required to re-align for a tire swap.
6. Can the spare tires work as replacements for sand bags in the trunk?
They can, but it's a lot of space lost in the trunk and it's hard to get more than one in there. A single tire and wheel combo typically weighs between 40-50 lbs. Sand would be a better choice.
7. How to place sand bags in the trunk (in a protective cover?) to avoid sand spill?
I would recommend filling 2-5 gal plastic containers with the sand (like used kittly litter jugs with a screw-cap) or even 1 gallon milk jugs can work. No leaks and easily re-arranged in the trunk as needed. 5 gal paint pails can also work well.
8. How to store the spare set of tires when not in use? (I don't have a garage, just a patio)
Make sure your coolant is good and will protect to the temps you expect to see. Keep the winshield washer fluid full and consider a de-icing type like Prestone than melts ice quickly. Keep a least one spare container of washer fluid in the trunk. It will add ballast and always be there if you ever run out under the hood. Replace your wiper blades before and after each winter season. Winter wiper blades are a good idea too.
Thanks again!
Hope this helps!
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2006 Inferno Red SRT-8
Option groups I, II, & III + Sunroof
Built Thursday February 23, 2006 Triple A Performance (AirFunnel, AirHog, Aces IV) QuantumBlue Custom Blended Oil (Yeah, it's that good)
I will drive her until one of us dies!1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
I agree with you completely! Thanks for all the advice Ddaddy
LOL! Glad to help...
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2006 Inferno Red SRT-8
Option groups I, II, & III + Sunroof
Built Thursday February 23, 2006 Triple A Performance (AirFunnel, AirHog, Aces IV) QuantumBlue Custom Blended Oil (Yeah, it's that good)
I will drive her until one of us dies!1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
Yeah, nokians aren't cheap, but they work. I think we paid about $650 installed for the ones I put on our dodge caravan (225/65R16 IIRC). They've wore very well. we've got about 25k miles on them now with very minimal wear; we should be able to get about 50+k miles out of them. They're fantastic in all weather conditions and on ice, and it saves the hassle of seasonally swapping tires and finding room to store a set of tires--my garage is quite crowded as it is...IIRC when I checked, a 235/55R18 WRG2 was around $200 ea installed...the 275/45R20's are painfully expensive (was quoted $325ea installed).
if you get some winter tires, I'd strongly suggest finding a cheap second set of wheels, it's much easier to just unbolt 5 lug nuts and swap the wheel/tire assy, vs. having the tires mounted and dismounted on the rims twice a year. your SE V6 can use any charger, 300, challenger, or magnum RWD wheel. 17" take offs are usually pretty cheap. the smaller rim diameter also makes the snow tires cheaper, usually.
Thank you for the information Ddaddy!
I live in Danbury, Conencticut and from what i have heard from locals, it snows pretty heavy out here. So, i guess i'll go for winter tires over all-season tires...
Now, this is a great piece of information. I'll be trying this when i get a chance. Now i know when to use 'Neutral', other than when driving the car on a car wash track.
Thank you!
Yash,
I'm from Danbury and have family in New Milford. I now live in Florida... The roads do get really bad. All the info on the posts are very helpful!!
One piece of advice that I can give is..... Take your time driving and don't let others scare you!! You will catch on quick!! Oh, and leave tons and tons of space in front of you while following someone. I've gone up and down mountains sideways many times. Just be patient and maintain a steady slow speed!
I think one of the most important things is, to factor in the extra time it takes to drive somewhere in bad conditions. You obviously have to drive slower, so leave 10, 15, even 20 minutes earlier than you normally would, so you know you have time to take your time. By which I mean you don't get to a spot that you think you can do the speed limit because you feel comfortable, when you really should be driving slower.
Also, don't drive defensively. My main concern in bad weather is other drivers. I'm going to drive when and where I know I can. If I get in an accident, it will most likely be someone elses fault. So don't swerve out of someone elses way and end up in a ditch, because they will most likely keep driving, and you'll end up paying the damages yourself. Other than that, the traction control and ABS in our cars work great! I haven't experienced it yet in my Charger, but in my SE Magnum it was amazing in snow. Pretty much like driving on dry pavement, just really, really slow.
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2006 Charger R/T Inferno Red
Eibach Pro Kit/Predator/Strut Brace/SLP LM1/Catch Can/CAI/BT Nose Badge and Black Stuff
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1/4 mile: 13.388 secs@105.75 mph
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