I am presently considering getting all season Goodyear Eagle F1's for the rig. See prev. post on Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S's.

But I have heard many recommendations saying get a set of cheap wheels and put Blizzaks on them for winter. This approach I am also considering.

However my dealer has always recommended getting a 4-wheel alignment everytime I get new tires, I assume that is due to different footprint or diameters. Now what about changing from winter to summer or summer to winter wheel sets which likely have different diameters/footprints.

Does that mean when I swap to and from the second set of wheels that I should also get an alignment?? ie: 2 alignments a year on an 8000 mile/year car?

Or is all this alignment talk a batch of dog donuts.

So many questions so little time.

 

No need for an alignment when changing wheels...and they are likely to screw it up a different way each time.

 

They are probably referring to getting an alignment when replacing the tires, not switching out to another set of wheels. Visually check the wear on the tires to make sure they are wearing evenly, but you don't need an alignment every 4000 miles.

 

OR get a nice set of wheel and use the oem and winter shoes..........? This is my plan until I can save up for the jline.

 

It is very important that you get a wheel alignment every time you swap tires. If you don't, your dealer won't be able to afford that new Condo he just bought.

BTW: I bought an inexpensive set of used rims with Blizzaks already mounted on them in the For Sale forum years ago. I put these wheels on every winter. Since lots of people get aftermarket wheels for their car and these rims don't fit any other vehicle, you can usually pick them up cheap.

 

To all who replied. I have plenty of food for thought, lets hope we don't get two feet of the stuff before I manage to get most of my neurons pointed in the same direction.
Thanks for the input. This is a great site.