Hi all,

Sorry for bringing this up so soon, but has anyone bothered installing winter tires on their 08 Malibu? I'm picking up an 09 soon in October (Fingers crossed) and am wondering if I should look at picking up Winter tires and RIMS if necessary.

I only live in New England, United States so our winters are quite different I'm sure.. but from what I have heard from the other Malibu owners is these actually do quite well in the snow with the standard tyres. Obviously you would be able to travel faster and safer w/ winter ones but it IS manageable if you didn't get any put on.

Zeev - I haven't started looking into this yet, although I really need to start looking sooner rather than later.

I will post up my costing when I get it. But I definately put Winter's on.

By the way are you putting mud flaps on yours? I have in the past just because the salt on the roads is so damn hard on the cars.

Zeev - I haven't started looking into this yet, although I really need to start looking sooner rather than later.

I will post up my costing when I get it. But I definately put Winter's on.

By the way are you putting mud flaps on yours? I have in the past just because the salt on the roads is so damn hard on the cars.

Mudflaps and "premium floor mats" were part of the deal for my LTZ.... I agree we need mudflaps for winter.

If we have enough interest maybe we can even look into doing a group buy for Winter Tires/Rims in Ontario?

Currently the only Snows Available for stock 18" is a Bridgestone Blizzak for about $728 on Tire Direct (not including shipping or mounting).

I am currently looking into a 17" tire package which is going to run me about $1100 for alloy wheels, tire pressure monitors, stems and either Pirelli 210 SnowPort or I am hoping that the Michelin Xice Xi2 is available at the end of the month.

My thought is to spend a little more on a tire package because with the tire pressure monitors the $40 tire change-over is no longer. I have been told that change overs are now going to be approximately $60 or more. There are a lot more options for 17".

Hope this helps!

Update: After more research and finding out that the Michelin Xice XI2 tires will now not be available until the end of October, I have decided to go with the 17" package with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60.

I only live in New England, United States so our winters are quite different I'm sure.. but from what I have heard from the other Malibu owners is these actually do quite well in the snow with the standard tyres. Obviously you would be able to travel faster and safer w/ winter ones but it IS manageable if you didn't get any put on.

I never had winter tires either, winters here are not that consistent. But the last one was extremely snowy, so I might actually go for it....Haven't decided yet.

I never had winter tires either, winters here are not that consistent. But the last one was extremely snowy, so I might actually go for it....Haven't decided yet.


I have a tough choice, my LTZ has 18' performance tires, that came with the car. I am afraid that this winte rmight be a bad one. Been shopping around and the cheapest I have found is 1200+tax for Nexenn tires and rims.

Or if I go with the dealership 1300 tax included for RIMS and tires. Keep in mind this is Canadian prices. I am sure I could find cheaper prices in the U.S of course..

I have looked at tirerack.com and it seems to cost about the same when I include duties and taxes...Anyone from Niagara Falls N.Y on this board who have a good shop to go to?"

Zeev: Dont know if you have a Sam's Club in your area or if you are a member, but if you get 215 60R16 's (same outside diamater as 18' tires) including the rims are only 668.00 plus tax. Tires were BFG winter slalom.

Zeev: Dont know if you have a Sam's Club in your area or if you are a member, but if you get 215 60R16 's (same outside diamater as 18' tires) including the rims are only 668.00 plus tax. Tires were BFG winter slalom.

I'm in Kitchener so I could always go to the one in Cambridge might have to drop by and see for myself. Another wrinkle is if you have tire pressure on your Malibu they are built into the tire and some shops won't replace tires because they don't have the equipment etc..

Your 100% correct, Sams club wont touch the tires with TMPS I called and checked today. He told me that they have ruined them in the past.

Your 100% correct, Sams club wont touch the tires with TMPS I called and checked today. He told me that they have ruined them in the past.

GRR looks like the dealership is the way to go... 1300 tax included for XICE 225/60 R17 tires +Rims installed balanced etc... Plus if I go back for the 6 month maintenance they will replace the tires for my all season performance tires for free

Well now winter tires are law in Quebec starting Nov. 15 I believe...FINALLY WE DID SOMETHING RIGHT! lol I'm getting mine put on in a week or so, thankfully I negotiated them into the deal when I bought my car a week ago. ;)

Your 100% correct, Sams club wont touch the tires with TMPS I called and checked today. He told me that they have ruined them in the past.

hopefully that does not apply to all Sams regarding the tpms... they would be pretty dumb to exclude EVERY new vehicle from 09 on.

If they follow the recommended practices and trained their employees, there shouldn't be a problem.

hopefully that does not apply to all Sams regarding the tpms... they would be pretty dumb to exclude EVERY new vehicle from 09 on.

If they follow the recommended practices and trained their employees, there shouldn't be a problem.

My understanding its about having the right equipment to balance the car.. I am pretty sure that my tires have TPMS built into them and because of that most tire shops can't touch my tires.. So it limits my choices for buying winter tires..

Also because of the law in Quebec requiring winter tires selection for winter tires are limited as the supply has decreased drastically in Canada.

My understanding its about having the right equipment to balance the car.. I am pretty sure that my tires have TPMS built into them and because of that most tire shops can't touch my tires.. So it limits my choices for buying winter tires..

Also because of the law in Quebec requiring winter tires selection for winter tires are limited as the supply has decreased drastically in Canada.


Question for folks will installing new wheels and tires without TPMS cause any issues? Its much cheaper to go without the tire pressure gauge... Stinks that I have 18' Wheels... They look so nice but winter tires are so bloody expensive!

Doh - Get a nice cheap set of 16" or 17" steel wheels for your much less expensive winter performance tires. Taller and skinnier tires are ALWAYS better in snow on top of the advantages of all the new grip technology. Any competent source can get you the right stuff, handling WILL NOT suffer in any way. I certainly wouldn't run my wide 18s in snow and on ice it would be suicidal!

Doh - Get a nice cheap set of 16" or 17" steel wheels for your much less expensive winter performance tires. Taller and skinnier tires are ALWAYS better in snow on top of the advantages of all the new grip technology. Any competent source can get you the right stuff, handling WILL NOT suffer in any way. I certainly wouldn't run my wide 18s in snow and on ice it would be suicidal!

I've been looking at getting a set of 16' tires however I have a question. I currently have the tire pressure gauges installed on my wheels. If I replace my 18' wheels and tires with 16' wheels (with no tire pressure gauge) and tires will this cause any damage to the car?

From what I can understand my Info center will read low pressure since their are no pressure gauges and give me a warning. Will the warning be audible or simply text?

Can the warning light be turned off?

I cannot speak to the factory-installed TPMS issue directly although I suspect it is rather simple to disable the sensor reporting system, GM had to have thought about winter tire users... I use the Hella brand aftermarket system, extra sensors are only $60 each so a second set could be used. I'll assume the GM ones are more but possibly still a reasonable option, ask the dealership parts guys.

That being said - As long as your winter tire/wheel package has the same overall diameter (height from ground to top of rubber - any competent tire shop will know) the speedometer and everything will be unaffected. You may notice a slight change in handling characteristics which is normal but not at all dangerous to anything mechanical, you DO drive slower in winter (especially snow) than is summer - right?

My understanding its about having the right equipment to balance the car.. I am pretty sure that my tires have TPMS built into them and because of that most tire shops can't touch my tires..

Actually TPMS is just a fancy valve stem with a sensor block on the inside of the wheel. The problem is NOT in balancing as the units weigh very little. The issue is training the tire monkeys to be careful! The machines/levers/tools used can easily damage the sensor modules if they don't pay attention. Any truly good/competent shop can do them properly.

Sidenote: On my car we took the existing tire/wheel combos and located where the weights were attached. This is opposite the heaviest part of the tire. We marked the heavy spot on the tire (remember it is opposite the weight) before unmounting the tires. We then installed the TPMS sensors to the wheels. When re-mounting the tires we made sure the marked 'heavy' side was opposite the TPMS sensors. When we proceeded to rebalance the assemblies two of them required no weights at all - perfect balance! It was more work but according to my tire guy wheels are generally very well balance themselves, it is the rubber that isn't so consistent... Not a lot of extra work for a very nice result!

I cannot speak to the factory-installed TPMS issue directly although I suspect it is rather simple to disable the sensor reporting system, GM had to have thought about winter tire users... I use the Hella brand aftermarket system, extra sensors are only $60 each so a second set could be used. I'll assume the GM ones are more but possibly still a reasonable option, ask the dealership parts guys.

That being said - As long as your winter tire/wheel package has the same overall diameter (height from ground to top of rubber - any competent tire shop will know) the speedometer and everything will be unaffected. You may notice a slight change in handling characteristics which is normal but not at all dangerous to anything mechanical, you DO drive slower in winter (especially snow) than is summer - right?

Correct... I drive slower and with my new Malibu will make sure to drive slower!! :p

Just want to make sure I won't damage anything its nice having 18' wheels but bloody expensive to get 18' tires compared to 16....

Actually TPMS is just a fancy valve stem with a sensor block on the inside of the wheel. The problem is NOT in balancing as the units weigh very little. The issue is training the tire monkeys to be careful! The machines/levers/tools used can easily damage the sensor modules if they don't pay attention. Any truly good/competent shop can do them properly.

Sidenote: On my car we took the existing tire/wheel combos and located where the weights were attached. This is opposite the heaviest part of the tire. We marked the heavy spot on the tire (remember it is opposite the weight) before unmounting the tires. We then installed the TPMS sensors to the wheels. When re-mounting the tires we made sure the marked 'heavy' side was opposite the TPMS sensors. When we proceeded to rebalance the assemblies two of them required no weights at all - perfect balance! It was more work but according to my tire guy wheels are generally very well balance themselves, it is the rubber that isn't so consistent... Not a lot of extra work for a very nice result!


Will look into this.. But now that I know I can install 16 I might go with some Toko Go-2 (Think I spelled it right) with stell wheels etc installed for aprox 1K CND... doesn't seem to be that bad.. I will order the tires if I can on Saturday otherwise Monday..

Don't want to take any chances with my new Malibu... :p

No Problems - Be Happy

Honestly the biggest problem is always the other maniacs we share the roads with... Be careful and enjoy!

No Problems - Be Happy

Honestly the biggest problem is always the other maniacs we share the roads with... Be careful and enjoy!


Just placed an order for 16' Wheels and Toyo Go-2+ winter tires going to cost a bit more then I thought 1100 CDN but I get 60 back in a mail in rebate. Price includes balancing etc.. I look at it as an investment I will be keeping the car for many years.

The tires should last about 5-6 winters I hope depending on how crazy I drive them so if I average it out I should be fine. Plus no matter what I say I can't justify having 18' wheels in winter I will be slipping and a sliding in my new Malibu... :eek:

We will see about the tire pressure system.. Worse case we should be able to turn it off for the winter and simply turn it back on in Summer when I put the 18 back on :cool:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/cerbomark/IMG_0533.jpg

this is what I ll be using for snow tires. And it snowed already. Pics are from today.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/cerbomark/IMG_0533.jpg

this is what I ll be using for snow tires. And it snowed already. Pics are from today.

Well installed the winter tires today.. 1130 tax included mounting, balancing etc.. I will found out tomorrow how the TPS monitoring system works after I move away from the all season tires.

Its funny that one the drive back and having the tires in the back and trunk I could read the tire pressure on the tires :p

Did all of your all season tires fit in the trunk or did you have to put the seats down? Just asking because I was checking out prices in the US but didnt know if I had enough room to bring the others back just in the trunk.

Did all of your all season tires fit in the trunk or did you have to put the seats down? Just asking because I was checking out prices in the US but didnt know if I had enough room to bring the others back just in the trunk.

Had to bring the seats down to fit all of them. I found a decent place her in Kitchener/Waterloo that wasn't that expensive.(Keep in mind I picked up Toyo Go-2+ tires and steel rims) I was looking going via the U.S route but with Exchange duties etc it wasn't worth it.. Maybe and I mean maybe would have saved $100 but that did not include installation.

Hey Zeev, did you already get your winter tires? I got some Uniroyal ones incl rims and tax for $860 installed.

Hey Zeev, did you already get your winter tires? I got some Uniroyal ones incl rims and tax for $860 installed.

Hi CDN Girl,

Yes allready picked up my winter tires. I chose Toyo GO 2+ winter tires cost me a but more then your Uniroyal.. 1K after tax. At least we got it before the first major snow storm!

What is all of this craziness about "Winter tires."

I remembered considering a set the day it dropped down to 60 degrees one night in January down here in Florida. ;)

What is all of this craziness about "Winter tires."

I remembered considering a set the day it dropped down to 60 degrees one night in January down here in Florida. ;)

OMG 60 degrees that's so cold :-) Enjoy the sun and not having to worry about winter tires! :p

Had to bring the seats down to fit all of them. I found a decent place her in Kitchener/Waterloo that wasn't that expensive.(Keep in mind I picked up Toyo Go-2+ tires and steel rims) I was looking going via the U.S route but with Exchange duties etc it wasn't worth it.. Maybe and I mean maybe would have saved $100 but that did not include installation.

Zeev, what size you got?

Zeev, what size you got?

Hi went from 18' to 16' Toyo Go-2+ tires and steel rims.. Glad I did they have helped me stop quicker with the change in weather. I am constantly amazed at how people think they can simple drive like everything is normal when you have snow and ice...

Zeev and CDN Girl,

I'm in the K-W area as well and was wondering where abouts you got your winters from? I'm considering an '09 Malibu and so have to consider the cost of new winters and if I can work them into the package or if it's better to just get them elsewhere.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

Jevon, I got my winter tires at active green and ross paid about 800.00

Got my 225/50/17 tires free from dealer when i built my pkg at purchase... :)

Yeah, my dealer was saying they could maybe work out something with them but I'm going to check out those guys in Cambridge too just to make sure!

I'm not sure if right now is necessarily the best time to be looking to buy or not with all this stuff going on here and in the States with bailouts, but my Grand Am is on its last legs I'm affraid!

Thanks!

Just wondering if anyone checked on warranty concerns by installing a set of winter tires on their car? I checked w/ my dealer after being warned by a tire shop about voided warranty and sure enough, the warranty guy at my dealership told me that if I change the diameter of the tire AND an issue such as the ABS system fails, they MAY not cover it under warranty. He went on to say that just because you buy tires of the same size in numbers (sidewall), doesn't mean that they have the same diameter.

I spent two hours yesterday arguing with the guys at the shop about what kind of winter tire/wheel package I could even get without jeopardizing my warranty and they couldn't come up with a single configuration. Not to mention my frustration to the degree that I pointed out if I drive my car, I've voided warranty according to them because of tire wear causing the tires to not technically be the same size as the day I bought the car. No response from him.

Also, he said that it had to be Genuine GM parts, (wheels), to be covered.

Thoughts anyone? I just ordered a set of wheels and tires from tirerack.com

One last question, when I get the new set installed on the vehicle, do I have to go into the dealership to have them do any programming to the car? I know how to program the individual TPMS in the tires but is there any other programming needed?

Thx from Alaska

That seems hard to believe that a different tire size then what was originally on your car would void the warranty. My LTZ has 18" tires/wheels for summer and I bought 17" tires/wheels for the winter through my car dealer from TireRack. My dealer has a contract to sell tire packages at discounted prices from TireRack. There was no mention of voiding the warranty when ordering the 17" tire package. Matter of fact, the 17" tire package is the same size on the LT Malibu. The is no difference brake wise between the two models. I was told I could go down to a 16" package if I wanted to, which is what the LS models have. I can see a potential warranty issue if you installed a tire package that was two small or too big (meaning someone miscalculated the conversion), but you are definitely not limited to the OEM package and size when you drove the car off the lot.

My thoughts exactly Vermont. I just couldn't get anywhere with this guy and frustration grew very fast. My offer for him to find me a tire/wheel package was genuine. I told him, I didn't care who's tire, who's wheel, or the size, cost or shipping to get them or even who the package would come from, just get me a package that would fit and not cause a warranty issue and he wouldn't do it.

Anyhow, I ordered:
16x7 Sport Edition F8 Bright Silver
215/60R-16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60
and the TPMS sensors.

Shipping to Alaska came to: $237.50 and that was still nearly $200 cheaper than I could find locally w/ the local trying to sell me steel wheels. I'd gladly pay a little more locally but my gosh, by the time I got a nice wheel from the local guys, I was looking at almost $500 more money.

2009 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ - Red Jewel
Sunroof / Rear Power Package / V6 oh and block heater :)

That's basically the same wheel (Sport Edition F7) / tire (Blizzak WS-60) combo I got, but opted for 17" (225-50R17).

That's basically the same wheel (Sport Edition F7) / tire (Blizzak WS-60) combo I got, but opted for 17" (225-50R17).

I was having trouble with stock issues so I just went w/ the 16". Do you know if I would need to do anything at the dealership for programming ABS or otherwise after installing these on the car?

I believe their is some reprogramming for the new TPMS, so that it synchronizes the position of the sensor and registers the sensors to the car. The dealer did all of the work for $18. I don't believe they need to do anything with the ABS system.

I believe their is some reprogramming for the new TPMS, so that it synchronizes the position of the sensor and registers the sensors to the car. The dealer did all of the work for $18. I don't believe they need to do anything with the ABS system.

Btw, the TPMS matching is described in the manual and takes 10 minutes at most. All you need is a way to pump the tires back to the recommended pressure, so if you have a compressor you're all set.
I, personally, would not pay $18 for that.

The $18 included torquing the new wheels as well; I don't have a jack or torque wrench. I have heard of people paying a lot more for simply mounting rims at a garage w/o TPMS.

The $18 included torquing the new wheels as well; I don't have a jack or torque wrench. I have heard of people paying a lot more for simply mounting rims at a garage w/o TPMS.

ok, that I would pay 18$ for, a good torque wrench is a lot more.

I'm good w/ the torque wrench and floor jack. Yah, looking through the manual, it seems fairly easy to program the TPMS. I just didn't know if there was any other issues that needed to be addressed for programming. Heaven forbid they get to the point of needing to reprogram to actually drive the car. I couldn't imagine being out in the middle of nowhere and putting the dummy tire on to find the computer needs a reactivation or something before it'll let me pull it outta park. :rolleyes:

Hold on here!!!,

Anybody thought about the 'spacesaver' spare tire? If you've put it on after a flat of one of the regular wheels with TPMS installed, the car will still operates! Come on!!!

So aside from the lack of TPMS read-out, the car should move.

It will move, but there will be an annoying light on the dash and a message that you have to cancel each time you start the car. Some people here choose not to install the sensors and put up with this.

Ok, I see. The need to know arises since I will be going to Winter Tires soon (on different wheels). Would it be programmable or 'flashable' by Dealer service in a fashion as to prevent the warnings and indications (lights)?

Another option would, of course, to get a second set of TPMS sensors. I read somewhere about the price and another source for them, but can't recall that info.

*Update: So according to GMTPMS.com, the VDO brand is the one used on their systems. The car still needs to either be 'flashed' or programmed to accept these. Might be a specific Model accepted. Anybody up on this?

Ok, I see. The need to know arises since I will be going to Winter Tires soon (on different wheels). Would it be programmable or 'flashable' by Dealer service in a fashion as to prevent the warnings and indications (lights)?

Another option would, of course, to get a second set of TPMS sensors. I read somewhere about the price and another source for them, but can't recall that info.

*Update: So according to GMTPMS.com, the VDO brand is the one used on their systems. The car still needs to either be 'flashed' or programmed to accept these. Might be a specific Model accepted. Anybody up on this?

No, no way to disable the system. No sensors = warning light.
You may just buy an extra set of sensors from a dealer. I did that and it was about 40$ canadian per sensor. After that you follow a simple procedure (see your owners manual, takes 10 min and no tools) to pair the new sensors or have the dealer do it for you.
One thing I am not sure about is if you get steel rims whether the sensors can be installed on those. The shop I used said that it wouldn't be possible, but I don't trust them 100%, they might've tried to sell me alloys instead (which I wanted anyways).

Another thing I wanted to mention. As I no longer have the car I will be selling my winter tires. So if you're anywhere near Toronto..
The tires are General Altimax 215/60-16 on 5 spoke alloys (nice looking wheels btw) and with the sensors in place. I have used them for one winter, they have less than 10.000 on them.

I'm darn tempted to get a tiny wheel/tire, and drill 3 more holes. Then install all of the TPMS sensors on it. Finally put it in the trunk and forget about the system!

Im looking to get new wheels and tires with the TPMS for winter driving on my 2009 2LT. It has the 18" wheels on it. It is proving very hard to find replacements, or very expensive.

Can I swap to a 15/16/17" wheel? If so will this mess up my speedometer. It seems like you all think it wont, but the diameter of the wheel would mess up the calibration of the speedo, or so I'd think anyway. How are you guys avoiding this? Has anyone found out if you can put the TPMS on steel wheels? What size tire should I be looking for when considering a 15, 16, 17 and 18" wheel?

Im looking to get new wheels and tires with the TPMS for winter driving on my 2009 2LT. It has the 18" wheels on it. It is proving very hard to find replacements, or very expensive.

Can I swap to a 15/16/17" wheel? If so will this mess up my speedometer. It seems like you all think it wont, but the diameter of the wheel would mess up the calibration of the speedo, or so I'd think anyway. How are you guys avoiding this? Has anyone found out if you can put the TPMS on steel wheels? What size tire should I be looking for when considering a 15, 16, 17 and 18" wheel?

Mine were 215/60R16. Yes the speedo is off a little (< 3%). That seemed the least expensive/most available size.

Not sure about TPMS and steelies. The guy in the shop said that the sensors would not be compatible with steel wheels, but I am not sure I entirely trust that.

I just ordered a set of winter tires and wheels from The Tire Rack after mucho research. I went with 16" steel wheels and tires for the cost advantage.

My car came with the P215/55/17 Firestone FR710 tires, which are decent tires but rated at the very bottom of the last Consumer Reports test on all-season radials. Rated terrible for snow traction. Good enough for me for most of the year until they wear out and I replace them with superior high performance summer tires.

For the winter set, I ordered the Continental ExtremeWinter Contact in P215/60/16.

With the stock wheels/tires, my speedo was dead-nuts on compared to my GPS. Will be interesting comparing the new set versus the GPS. Should be close.

I cheaped out and didn't do a new set of TPMS. I'll live with a few months of monitoring my own tire pressures

You can check on eBay for new TPMS valves. I bought a set for just under $70. Look for part # 25920615. I also bought on eBay 4 Aluminium wheels (16'') coming from a 2007 Malibu for $250 and my GM dealer charged me $60 to install my winter tires on it and to program my TPMS.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5153/roueshiver2.jpg