Winter tires are specialized tires with deeper tread and a complex pattern of sipes (small slits or grooves in the tread) to grip ice and snow.

They are also constructed with a softer rubber compound to withstand freezing temperatures without becoming hard.

Winter rims are also sometimes called steel wheels or steelies. Many modern cars come with aluminum or alloy wheels as standard equipment.

However, steel rims resist corrosion better than aluminum rims, which are prone to oxidizing in the winter. An oxidized rim can lead to a loss of tire pressure.

For this reason, to protect their factory or custom wheels from degrading, many drivers swap out their aluminum or alloy rims before winter hits with a separate set of winter rims and tires.

Source: Reddit

Let's take a look at some common questions and answers about winter rims and tires.

Q: Do winter tires come with rims?

A: In most cases, you'll purchase winter tires separately and have them mounted on your current rims or new rims that you choose to buy. However, sometimes retailers have specials on winter tire and rim packages to draw in customers.

It is ultimately more convenient to mount winter tires on their own rims to make swapping between seasons easier.

Q: Do you need rims for winter tires?

A: As mentioned above, having dedicated rims for your winter tires makes swapping easier from season to season. You may also want to ensure that your winter tires are on winter steel wheels. However, you can also just have winter tires mounted on your current rims.

Q: How much are winter tires with rims?

A: The price of a winter tire and wheel package will vary considerably based on the size of the tire. For example, truck and SUV tires are likely to cost more than smaller tires for an older coupe or sedan.

You can generally expect to pay at least $200 per wheel for a tire and rim combo.

Q: Can I use the same rims on my car for winter tires?

A: Although you can use the same rims on your vehicle for winter tires, you might consider investing in steel rims to make swapping the tire and wheel combo easier and less expensive in subsequent winter seasons.

Source: Reddit

Q: How much does it cost to put winter tires on rims?

A: You can generally expect to pay between $50 and $300 to have a set of tires mounted and balanced by a professional shop. For example, you can get tires installed on Enthuze wheels at Action Truck locations in Canada or a local shop if you are in the US.

Q: How much are the rims for winter tires?

A: Steel rims are the cheapest and most durable rims on the market. You might be able to pay as little as $30 per wheel for steel rims. The good thing about steel wheels is that they're generally easier to fix than other types and dents can often be hammered back into place.

Q: How do you choose rims for winter tires?

A: It's often recommended that you get steel rims with winter tires as they are more durable and less prone to oxidizing in cold temperatures. Because steel doesn't contract as much as aluminum, it's easier to maintain the correct tire pressure.

Having dedicated winter wheels with winter tires makes it convenient to swap from year to year.

Q: When you buy winter tires, do they come with rims?

A: Most of the time, you'll buy winter tires and winter rims separately. However, it's possible to find packages of winter rims and tires together if a retailer chooses to sell them this way.

Q: Are alloy rims good for winter?

A: Alloy rims can be used in the winter, depending on where you live. However, if you live in a place with consistently cold temperatures and snow, you'll likely be dealing with a lot of road salt. Steel rims are more durable in this case as they withstand corrosion better.

Steel rims also weigh more than alloy rims, which makes them better on snowy roads. They provide more weight for your vehicle and thus extra traction.

Q: How do you keep winter rims from rusting?

A: You can help prevent any winter tire rim from rusting by thoroughly washing and drying them after driving in winter conditions. You can also apply a protective coating designed for wheels.

However, in the winter, it's best to consider using dedicated steel rims, as they are more resistant to rust and corrosion.

Q: How do you store tires with rims for winter?

A: Before you store your tires with rims for winter, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry them. Then you can place each tire in a sealed, air-tight bag. If you can vacuum seal the bag, you should do so as this makes it even more secure and keeps essential oils from evaporating. Store the tires in a cool, dry spot for the season.

Rely on Enthuze for a wide selection of high-quality custom wheels for winter or any other season. Enter your vehicle info in the year, make, and model search at the top of the page to get started.