20" Dueler H/P's in winter - will I survive?

[X548i20"]

I'm a newbie here and just picked up an 09 48i (err, see SN). I have 20's with Dueler HP's. I live on Long Island, NY and some of the winters can be cold, even though we had a mild one last year.
Is there any chance I can make it through a typical winter (4" of snow on ground but usually plowed within an hour, temps in the 30's) with these?

And anyone have an idea how many more MPG's I can get switching from the 20's to 18's? i'm getting about 10 city now, uggh.
Thanks.

[seattle]

Originally Posted by X548i20"

And anyone have an idea how many more MPG's I can get switching from the 20's to 18's? i'm getting about 10 city now, uggh.
Thanks.

The overall diameter of wheel + tire won't change when switching to 18's. With 18's, you will get tires with higher profile. Unless you go lower profile tires with 18's - but that would be ridiculous

[X548i20"]

Thanks for the info Seattle. I was wondering if the decrease in width of the tire would give me a few more MPG's and approx. how many?

[seattle]

Originally Posted by X548i20"

Thanks for the info Seattle. I was wondering if the decrease in width of the tire would give me a few more MPG's and approx. how many?

Due to less contact with surface, and therefore less friction, you will technically get better MPG. But I seriously doubt it will be anything noticeable.

[alexmish]

You will NOT surive with summer-performance 20" Bridgestones or Dunlops - dont even bother, especially in LI... I once drove on them in 1" wintery mix/slush, and I felt like I had skis instead of tires (car was 4 mo old). The car was sliding sideways while waiting at an intersection on a slopy surface.

I do have 18" all-season bridgestones for winter driving, which also help dealing with potholes and cold temps/snow.

And since you are averaging about 10mpg now, I'd guess you are either heavy footed or have lots of stop-n-go....In either case, switching to 18" would not help mpg-wise

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by alexmish

You will NOT surive with summer-performance 20" Bridgestones or Dunlops - dont even bother, especially in LI... I once drove on them in 1" wintery mix/slush, and I felt like I had skis instead of tires (car was 4 mo old). The car was sliding sideways while waiting at an intersection on a slopy surface.

I do have 18" all-season bridgestones for winter driving, which also help dealing with potholes and cold temps/snow.

And since you are averaging about 10mpg now, I'd guess you are either heavy footed or have lots of stop-n-go....In either case, switching to 18" would not help mpg-wise

I almost slid through an intersection and into a bus load of kids in Port Washington in my '01 with 19's and summer perf tires back in the day, on a slushy road, since then I go winter wheels and all seasons.

[X548i20"]

I wonder if any dealers on L.I., ie Rallye, would switch my summers for winters for free or for a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with Rallye swapping tires? Storing them?

Is an alignment required if I'm going from Duelers on 20's to winter or all-season on 19's?

When the Duelers wear out (20k miles??) I'm going to try out the Proxes ST2's year round.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by X548i20"

I wonder if any dealers on L.I., ie Rallye, would switch my summers for winters for free or for a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with Rallye swapping tires? Storing them?

Is an alignment required if I'm going from Duelers on 20's to winter or all-season on 19's?

When the Duelers wear out (20k miles??) I'm going to try out the Proxes ST2's year round.

You don't need to go to a dealer to swap your tires, costco, local service station, local tire store, anywhere can do it, and especially dont go to Rallye, their service department absolutely sucks. And yes, you should get a 4 wheel alignment or at least have it checked when swapping tires.

Where on Long Island are you?

[HIRISC]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

You don't need to go to a dealer to swap your tires, costco, local service station, local tire store, anywhere can do it, and especially dont go to Rallye, their service department absolutely sucks. And yes, you should get a 4 wheel alignment or at least have it checked when swapping tires.

I'll respectfully disagree that swapping wheels/tires should necessitate an alignment. *unless there was wear indicating an out of alignment condition on the outgoing set*

Good to check the alignment from time to time, but the tires generally provide all the info you need re that.

[Naz24]

You could also get the spare kit, ditch the RFTs, and put some all season Toyos on the 20s and run them year-round!