How many people are going to drive the car in the winter?

Personally, I won't be doing any winter driving until next year, but I've started looking at winter wheels and tires and getting an idea of what it's going to cost me.

Here's what I've found:

18" GT500 wheel (either the 07-09 style or the '10 verts)

Wheel size - 18x9.5"
Recommended OEM tire size: 255/45/18

This is an exact match size for size with the 255/40/19s that the BBP comes with.

From Tire Rack:
3 winter tires available:

-Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 ($214)
-Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (closeout)($235)
-Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 ($229)

In the 19" Tire category:
Factory Brembo Package tire size: 255/40/19

From Tire Rack:
4 winter tires available:

-Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 ($262)
-Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 ($262)
-Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero ($239)
-Continental CrossContact UHP (closeout)($274)

You may want to opt for the black "Track Pack" wheels from Ford Racing:


Which retail for $209.95 each

Keep in mind, you'll also need TPMS sensors (4), and the calibration tool to sync the sensors to the car. I believe this goes for $100 or so.

If anyone wants to add info regarding the other wheel types and sizes, I can add it to the first post.

 

I will most likely be driving Mustang this winter, but I will wait for nice days, after the blizzard stops. If we really need to make a run, then we will use the '09 Passat wagon, which seems to do well in the snow with the P-Zero A/S tires.

I am curious to see how the '11 compares to the '07 on the stock A/S tires. The '07 was terrible, but with the new traction control and anti-slip programs, the stock A/S tires may do fine in the conditions I drive in.

I have had the Dunlop Winter Sports and they performed very well in sub-freezing temps, with ice on the roads, while I was in Dallas. I had no problems climbing the fly overs which were iced over.

Thanks for the info on the wheels.

 

It's not necessary tho, you'll just have the tpms light on in the dash as a consequence, and need to just check your tires once in a while... I didn't have them in mine, but took good maintence on them and was glad I pocketed $.

They're a bit more from when I first looked... $350-400.
I believe they're part number: 1ATPM00026
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/TirePressur...tm_content=TPM

There are aftermarket type ones like these tho...
http://compare.ebay.com/like/2904906...=263602_304662


Either way, it's a lot to shell out for 3-4 months use... and not worth it IMO.

 

I plan to drive mine in the winter, with my 4WD truck as backup on really rough days.

I have standard brakes with 18" x 8" Polished Aluminum 64M wheels and P235/50ZR18 97W Pirelli P Zero Nero All Weather tires.


Wheel shopping has been frustrating. I just want durable, easy to clean, inexpensive wheels that fit my car, but instead, I find "shop by brand" or "shop by finish" or "shop by appearance."


I am considering these tires:
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 P235/50/18
Nokian WR G2 P235/50R18 101 V XL
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 P235/45R18/XL

I'm motivated: our first snow is predicted next week.

 

Check this site link: Tirerack shows these are what fits the standard brakes in an 18" frame:

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterW...&Qty3=4&Qty4=4

If you select "winter" and then "winter packages", it'll give you some choices from spec-ing out your car on the home page.

I bought 17" Elbrus I06 for my 2010. It's a good sturdy rim, looks good, and isn't that expensive. You can see a few pics here: https://themustangsource.com/f783/my...7/#post5816241

 

Tony, it's a matter of personal opinion. Some can go without the sensors, but others will want them because it eliminates the warning and idiot light.

 

And I get that, but truthfully a lot of mustang owners don't know much about the car they drive and for those out there that go through their dealer or shop or something, it's just good to know that if one isn't comfortabe forking out another $2-400. You don't HAVE to...

Hell the first useage of tpms was in 1986 on a 959... How did the rest of the world get by with out it? ... That's all my point is. =] It's good to have yes, but chances are if one get's a flat- they'll know it... (least I hope!)

 

RE: TPMS sensors.

Google TPMS pipe bomb.

Do not google pipe bomb; you will be put on a list somewhere.

Problem solved.

Please think it through, though: I have had people ask, "Well how do you fill it up once you've sealed it all up? That's dumb." Don't be that guy.

 

Wow, that TPMS pipe bomb is clever. The Ford system doesn't care if it sees one sensor or 4 though?

Edit - didn't realize they were all in the tube until I re-read it.

 

Ya, you can either stuff the other 3 inside, or you can have all 4 of them poking out. I'd do the former though, as that presents fewer leak-down points.

Most people just carry them in the trunk.

Make sure you inform any cops of its presence before they open your trunk, should they want to do so. Most cops are not aware of TPMS pipe-bombs' existence, and will confuse them for a real pipe-bomb. This will generally result in a lot of hassle before it gets resolved - usually while having a Beretta pointed at your head.

 

Sweet! I love harassing the law!

If you were able to only run one sensor, I'd do that, otherwise I'll just get them and put them in a set of wheels. No sense in leaving them out of the car if you want to swap wheels.

 

I will be driving my '10 GT through the winter here in Massachusetts. Actually I'm not as worried about the snow as I am about the salt and grime . . . it's going to kill me to see "Ruby" all covered with that stuff. I can remember the days when driving RWD cars through the winter was standard procedure.

One consideration for snow tires: if you are investing in a set of winter wheels / tires, you might as well get the best setup for winter traction -- which means relatively NARROW tires, so they bite in to the snow instead of riding on top. So in generall you want a narrower tire with higher sidewall to give the same overall diameter as the original set-up.

Also a little taller overall height is a good thing in the snow, to provide a little more clearance. This will throw the speedometer and odometer off a little (speedometer will be a little slow compared to actual speed, odometer will accumulate fewer miles than actually traveled) but that is not a big deal.

I plan to find some 17" x 7" wide wheels and put 215/60 or 215/65 tires on them for the winter. Which reminds me, I need to get going on that . . .

 

I've honestly had more hood chips and surfaces scratches in the non winter months then in them. I usually take mine through an auto washer whenever deemed necessary... Really wasn't THAT horrid.

Plus Ford's paint has really come along way...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYL8Zy5-Lv8

 

blizzaks all day long!

 

Great thread Steve! This is exactly what I was looking up on my own (winter tire sizes / brands for the 2010 GT500 rims).
Now I just gotta figure out which tires to go for.

 

I'd really have a hard time going against the Blizzaks. I've had LM-22s and LM-25s on previous cars and they chewed up the snow. The LM-60 would be my choice.

The Pilot Alpin PA3s would be another, but I don't have any experience with those.

 

Well i have had several brands of snow tires in the past and this time around decided on Mich Ice Xi2 so we will see how that works . Been with Blizzaks and Dunlaps and liked them as well as the cheapy firestone snow though they were a bit noisey they had no problem in snow. but this time around it was the bean counters that wanted the the less than 200 a tire and a 70$ gift card when you buy 4 (no pushing them only stating my reasoning) if money be no object i would have popped for the more sport snow tire but as i dont do many auto x in the snow or burnouts.. lol, i went the less hurtful to my wallet route. I did get the GT500 18 inch wheels in the plain aluminum color see how it all works. Hope there is feedback on what you choose and how it works so i can learn from it and maybe choose different next time

 

I too heard the blizzacks r the bomb...however these new alpin PA3's look awesome and ratings r very high- might just give them a try next time around.

 

These are the best if you can find them in the size you want. Used by the rally guys.

http://www.nokiantires.com/

 

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