Seasonal Tire Change
Every fall and spring, it's time for the tire change again. To avoid appointments and trips to the garage, I chose to take care of it myself by having two sets of wheels. It's simple, quick, and I no longer need to schedule it in my calendar.
Wheel and Tire
Choosing wheels is very personal. Between the look, the price, the materials, and the size, many factors come into play. As for the tires, especially winter tires, it’s even more complicated! With expert advice, my brother-in-law's opinion, and everything you read on social media, it quickly becomes a mess. So, I’ll add my two cents with my humble experience.
Over the years, I’ve driven different cars – Civic, Mazda 3, Prius, and Prius V – and I’ve tested several high-end tire brands. Yet, none of these cars fully satisfied me in the snow, especially during a snowstorm on the highway.
With my Ioniq 5 equipped with Continental Viking Contact 7 tires, after two winters, this is the first time I truly feel safe. Is it thanks to the car, the tires, or the combination of both? I can't say for sure, but the result is there, and it’s more than convincing.
Without complicating things, I kept the original 19-inch wheels for the summer and ordered a complete winter set from WheelWiz (wheels, tires, TPMS). Pneu à Rabais would have probably been just as good, but they didn’t have what I wanted in stock. I chose 18-inch Fast Wheels Switch Titanium wheels. After two winters of fun in the snow, I have absolutely nothing negative to say. The wheels look like new, and the tires should last a third winter, despite two Montreal-Florida round trips.
Tools
Since I only perform this task twice a year, I chose amateur-quality tools to lift the car, tighten the bolts, and adjust the tire pressure. So far, everything is working perfectly.
For the jack, some might say it's overkill, but I use a 2.5-ton model. The Ioniq 5 is quite heavy, and I prefer a tool that’s stronger than necessary. It works perfectly.
As for the torque wrench, nothing too fancy: the one I use is simple but sturdy and allows me to reach the recommended torque, between 79 and 94 lb-ft.
Some of the items referenced in this article can be found by following the links below.
Purchased Equipment:
– Jack https://www.princessauto.com/fr_CA/cric-rouleur-en-aluminium-acier-2-1-2-tonnes/product/PA0009001660
– Torque Wrench https://amzn.to/3CdcyzO
– Digital Inflator https://www.canadiantire.ca/fr/pdp/gonfleur-numerique-de-qualite-professionnelle-mastercraft-0581958p.html?rq=air+pressure+gauge
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