Lets talk winter tires and wheels 2011!

[Rudy@Tirerack]

As we know via performance and street driving having the right tire for the situation makes all the difference. This is most certainly true in the winter.

A good winter tire can make these cars perform very well in the snow. The Snow tire fact thread and the top of page stickied has lots of good information.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106945

I though it would be a good idea to start a questions thread for this year. That way there will be lots of good information all in one thread. Soooo if you have any questions about any of the Tire Rack products or anything regarding these cars and winter please let me know. I will keep an eye on this thread closely over this fall and winter season. Also we have lots of forum members with lots of knowledge as well. Everyone please feel free to answer questions and add feedback. We can all benefit from each other.

[Rudy@Tirerack]

To start the season off we are offering a promotion on winter tires with our get ready get fifty program. Get upto a $50 rebate on most winter tires. Please click HERE for full details. This runs until September 30th.

[Rudy@Tirerack]

For SS models my recommended package is:

19x8.5 inch Sport Editon WX5 Wheels. These have been designed to clear the brembo brakes with the roller skate dampers. You do not need to remove the dampers or switch out brake pads . Plug and Play fitment.

Recommended Tire with this package is 235/55R19 Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow. I prefer this tire for the Camaro because its winter performance is great and it has a stiffer sidewall when compared to many lower speed rated snow. This works great with the weight of the Camaro and they handle better in the dry when compared to a lot of other winter tires.

We can add Tire Pressure Sensors. All of our Packages come Hunter Road Forced balanced and with the mounting hardware.

You will be amazed at how well your Camaro SS can do in snow with this package.

[Private210]

Hi. Just got 2012 2LT RS. Live in Connecticut. Would like to drive as much as possible but have another AWD for snow. Would you recommend snows or an aggressive all season? Which ones? Then would you recommend wheels and tires or just seasonal mounting? I'm not crazy about spending $ on the rims but heard it's not a good idea to keep changing tires on the rims. Again. If so! Which ones. Thanks.

[Rudy@Tirerack]

Congratulations on the new car. Sweet! These cars are only good for a small amount of light snow with all seasons. You really get much better traction with a good snow tire. I really like the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow for these cars. I show your car comes with 18's or optional 19's. Which do you have? As long as the tires are dismounted with care it really does not hurt to be taken off and put back on. You can put snows on your factory tires.

The reason car owners go with wheels is because it save the mount and dismount fee twice a year which can be pricy and also makes the switch over easy. We send our packages ready to go so if you can change a tire you can do the switch over in your garage. Our 18 inch ASA GT1 or Bremmer BR05 wheels with the 245/55R18 would make a good combo. Please let me know if you have any questions.

[Private210]

Hi. Thanks for quick note back. I have 20x8 front wheels and 20x9 back wheels. P245/45R20 Front and P275/40R20 back. I did the math on the changeovers and it looks like i can do two changeovers a year (with one alignment a year) for $140 or so. So if I own the car for 5 years, that's about $700. So...kind of depends on what kind of wheels I can get for that price range; quality and style.... Does that sway you one way or the other? Thanks!!

[Private210]

Hi Rudy. I looked on tire rack tonight at reviews and saw several comments about noise and "squirminess" with the scorpions. Since I will be driving 5 months (November to March) with these and will drive my awd in real snow I would rather not compromise too much on noise and handling. (though car isn't designed to be quiet anyway). So with the 20" rims any other suggestions. Or other ideas for tires/wheels that will look and feel good in mixed weather without trading off dry handling and noise? I thought of pm'ing this but figure it might be a common question. Thanks!!

[The Stig]

I bought a set of the Pirelli scorpion Ice and Snow tires last year (245/45/20 on all four corners) and couldn't be happier. I'm in NW PA, so we get lake effect snow from Lake Erie and most of the roads are old brick roads that can't be plowed. The car handles better than my old Jeep Wrangler.

[Camaro57]

For those that have the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow tires - how is the wear on those tires. Any estimates on how many miles they would be good for since I don't think they have a stated treadwear rating from the manufacturer.

[Camaro68]

Im here in VA and had the Pirelli scorpion Ice and Snow tires last winter
and I had them put on when the temps were in the lower 40.

Oct...to...late Feb.

The wear was really good, I was told at the dealership that I could
have these tires for the next 2 winters as long as I keep them on
the Camaro, only in 40 degrees or less temps.

Ride 1 out of 5.....I give a 5. In the snow 5, it's like having a 4x4
but pls drive safe and were your seat belts. When it's time I will
buy again and I got these from tire rack. Great prices and A+
customer service, really nice people there.

[CSM088]

Happy to hear there is a reasonable solution to the unfortunate event of parking Camaros in the winter.

Would the SS struggle in the snow at all when compared to the V6? I only imagine the extra torque being an issue in heavy snow. I guess those Pirelli's are pretty badass?

I live in Winnipeg and don't want to drive anything but my Camaro despite suffering through some of the worst winters in North America. I like to hear that there is a solution for the SS.

[Camarodriver]

Originally Posted by CSM088

Happy to hear there is a reasonable solution to the unfortunate event of parking Camaros in the winter.

Would the SS struggle in the snow at all when compared to the V6? I only imagine the extra torque being an issue in heavy snow. I guess those Pirelli's are pretty badass?

I live in Winnipeg and don't want to drive anything but my Camaro despite suffering through some of the worst winters in North America. I like to hear that there is a solution for the SS.

I am in Montreal and went through winter 2010 with my M6 2LT and then went through winter 2011 last with my M6 Ss and now am facing another Canadian winter with my SS again. I bought extra rims and Pirelli ice and snow's 20" and I had no problem with the SS or the 2 LT two winters ago. The cars do better than BMW M5's as my buddy has one and just can't drive it as it slides all over the place

Buy great winters, on rims, drive safely and practice in a parking lot upon first full snow to know your car's limits and you will be fine. GM knows a few things about cars, trust them. I do.

eB

[Camaro57]

I see in several reviews of the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow tires that people state they wear so well that they use them like an all season tire and keep them on the vehicle year round. Some people are claiming they get in the 30,000 to 40,000 mile range on the tires leaving them on year round before they wear out. That sounds very good for a winter tire.

[Rudy@Tirerack]

Originally Posted by Private210

Hi Rudy. I looked on tire rack tonight at reviews and saw several comments about noise and "squirminess" with the scorpions. Since I will be driving 5 months (November to March) with these and will drive my awd in real snow I would rather not compromise too much on noise and handling. (though car isn't designed to be quiet anyway). So with the 20" rims any other suggestions. Or other ideas for tires/wheels that will look and feel good in mixed weather without trading off dry handling and noise? I thought of pm'ing this but figure it might be a common question. Thanks!!

Winter tires have more siping and deeper tread depth. This will cause more squirm compared to a regular tire. They are really not much noiser at all. Lots of people above have really liked the tire on the Camaro. I would still recommend these for winter. They only way you are going to get better handling is going with an all season tire, but you will give up a lot of snow/ice performance. Let me know what you're thinking.