Posts: 249
Joined: 3/27/2008 From: New Hampshire Status: offline
I want to plan ahead for winter (ok, wayyy ahead, but it'll allow me to keep my eye out for deals on wheels and tires), and I'll need real snow tires for the Mustang. I'd like some opinions on my options.
Right now, I'm thinking buy new wheels/tires for winter. Looking at the Tire Rack website, it appears as though I can get a set of cheap 17" wheels, winter tires, and TPMS sensors, installed, mounted, balanced and ready to go. All I need to do is have the dealer re-calibrate the car to recognize the new sensors? If my wheels/tires are the same overall diameter as my stock 18s, do I need to reprogram the PCM at all? Would it be better (read: easier) to buy 18" winter wheels/tires/TPMS?
From that point on will the computer recognize either set of wheels, or do I need to have the computer recalibrated every time I swap back and forth? I've read there are tools in the aftermarket that would allow me to reprogram the computer myself (which would be worth the investment in the long run if I have to do this 2x a year). Does this reprogramming impact the PCM programming at all (i.e. I'm running a tune from Brenspeed, I can't imagine having different TPMS sensors would affect that at all, but worth checking).
I like my stock 18" wheels, I thought about using those as winter wheels and buying new summer wheels/tires, but that seems like the most expensive route.
Ideally, what I want to get to is to be able to swap wheels/tires 2x per year with as little hassle and error codes, as possible.
Any recommendation on THE best winter tire or ones to avoid?
Thx
_____________________________
2008 GT, Alloy, MT, 3.55, S-1000, GT appearance, C&L Intake, Brenspeed 93 tune, Painted Silver Stripes, SS Center Fog Grille, 14" antenna, 6k HIDs from Stangmods, Sequentials, various goodies from SHR, Scott Drake, MGW, CDC and Midwest
Posts: 3485
Joined: 5/21/2005 From: S.burbs Chicago Status: offline
Yes, each swap will require a re-programming. But I seen somewhere there was a ford part you could get for 30 bucks or so to do this. Any dedicated snow tire will be better than the all seasons in the cold/snow. If you go with the 17" snows, go with the OE size of 235/55/17 and no speedo recalibration is required
Posts: 2747
Joined: 6/8/2006 From: SF Bay Area Status: offline
Two issues come into play. First is diameter of tires so your speedo will not be inaccurate. If you stay with the same size of tire (or at least within 1/4" overall diameter, this will not be an issue). Second, check sticky thread above and will find some info in there. You can also talk with Ford and see if you can get an additional set of sensors to mount in the new wheels. As far as Winter tires that are the best..... I can't help you there.
Printable Version
Planning ahead for winter - 
I can't help you there. 