NICO official Winter Rims/Tires break!

[AWGD8]

April 4 is the official break for our winter/tire setup. (Not sure about our Canadian brothers and sister. (April 12?)


Summer wheel setup is here!

-I finally decided to put back my summer tires.
- Clean and repainted brake calipers and innner disc. Rotor.
- Put back my 17" light gunmetal rims. (17.5Ibs) I decided to remove the white center cap and looks a bit more rugged looking. ( less girly)
- I have been wanting to get an 18" rims to get a low profile look, but no budget yet for a lighter 18" rims. Believe me a lighter wheel setup makes a big difference in responsiveness in city driving.
- No plans on dropping the car's height( Spring drop) The reason I got the EX is for ground clearance vs a Sedan.



MB Weapon 17" gunmetal (A-Tech in Japan- Mugen Honda inspired )
17x7 5x114.3 offset 43
OEM Michelin Latitude 225/60/17 - @ the last 4/32"


Pls. share your summer tires setup and suspension drop. (Detail for our reference)

( I am wondering if it is ok to use a 65 series tires in a 17" rims for the next winter season for more ground clearance in snow?)

[AWGD8]

Got a chance to clean the rims and sprayed some rim protector for wet look.

[CustomLowz]

Im planning on putting mine on this weekend. I still need to scuff up and paint my OEM 19's (graphite). Then sunday Im hoping to have them installed. Cant wait to get off of my studded snow tires

[AWGD8]

Now I am due for a new summer tires.

235/55/17 or 225/55/17 ? I really do not mind the speedo inaccuracy since I have a radar detector (9500ix) that tells me my GPS speed.

Is there a big negative effect on my final drive or acceleration if I chose one of the bove sizes? The heaviest tire I am looking at weighs 24IBs and the lightest is 21IBS. I believe my stock Michelin Latitude is at 27-28Ibs.

[Chelsea John]

April 4 is the official break for our winter/tire setup. (Not sure about our Canadian brothers and sister. (April 12?)

Not sure what you mean about 'the official break' last weekend was an Easter long weekend, and it snowed here in Toronto.
Right now temps are doing the rollar coaster thing. With temps dipping below zero at night roads are still slippery.
I'll be leaving my winters on for at last another couple of weeks, maybe longer...

[AWGD8]

April 4 is the official break for our winter/tire setup. (Not sure about our Canadian brothers and sister. (April 12?)

Not sure what you mean about 'the official break' last weekend was an Easter long weekend, and it snowed here in Toronto.
Right now temps are doing the rollar coaster thing. With temps dipping below zero at night roads are still slippery.
I'll be leaving my winters on for at last another couple of weeks, maybe longer...

Spring break is here. So it is a good time to assess if winter tires can be removed.
Title says Official Break with a smiley face... So far still dip here at 39 degrees at night but 50+ during the day.

[NJGuy]

Got a chance to clean the rims and sprayed some rim protector for wet look.

Looks nice!

[AWGD8]

Got a chance to clean the rims and sprayed some rim protector for wet look.

Looks nice!

Thanks NJ! I am sticking with 17" rims as of now. I am close to pulling the trigger on a 235/55/17 tires. I really do not mind a bit wheel well clearance ( if it is really noticeable) since this is a crossover vehicle. I am just more into a lighter tires setup this time. As I mentioned on the other thread, tire's weigh in a range from 21Ibs to 30 Ibs! that is a lot of unsprung weight to free up if you choose carefully.

[romytoss]

April 4 is the official break for our winter/tire setup. (Not sure about our Canadian brothers and sister. (April 12?)


Summer wheel setup is here!

-I finally decided to put back my summer tires.
- Clean and repainted brake calipers and innner disc. Rotor.
- Put back my 17" light gunmetal rims. (17.5Ibs) I decided to remove the white center cap and looks a bit more rugged looking. ( less girly)
- I have been wanting to get an 18" rims to get a low profile look, but no budget yet for a lighter 18" rims. Believe me a lighter wheel setup makes a big difference in responsiveness in city driving.
- No plans on dropping the car's height( Spring drop) The reason I got the EX is for ground clearance vs a Sedan.



MB Weapon 17" gunmetal (A-Tech in Japan- Mugen Honda inspired )
17x7 5x114.3 offset 43
OEM Michelin Latitude 225/60/17 - @ the last 4/32"


Pls. share your summer tires setup and suspension drop. (Detail for our reference)

( I am wondering if it is ok to use a 65 series tires in a 17" rims for the next winter season for more ground clearance in snow?)

Really nice wheel set-up! Looks classy!

[AWGD8]

Im planning on putting mine on this weekend. I still need to scuff up and paint my OEM 19's (graphite). Then sunday Im hoping to have them installed. Cant wait to get off of my studded <a class="vglnk" title="Link added by VigLink" target="_blank" href="http://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/performance/winter" rel="nofollow"><span>snow </span><span>tires</span></a>

What wheel setup do you run on winter? It must have been a big adjustment from 17" to 19" rims. I guess your winter setup is 18" ?

[AWGD8]

April 4 is the official break for our winter/tire setup. (Not sure about our Canadian brothers and sister. (April 12?)


Summer wheel setup is here!

-I finally decided to put back my summer tires.
- Clean and repainted brake calipers and innner disc. Rotor.
- Put back my 17" light gunmetal rims. (17.5Ibs) I decided to remove the white center cap and looks a bit more rugged looking. ( less girly)
- I have been wanting to get an 18" rims to get a low profile look, but no budget yet for a lighter 18" rims. Believe me a lighter wheel setup makes a big difference in responsiveness in city driving.
- No plans on dropping the car's height( Spring drop) The reason I got the EX is for ground clearance vs a Sedan.



MB Weapon 17" gunmetal (A-Tech in Japan- Mugen Honda inspired )
17x7 5x114.3 offset 43
OEM Michelin Latitude 225/60/17 - @ the last 4/32"


Pls. share your summer tires setup and suspension drop. (Detail for our reference)

( I am wondering if it is ok to use a 65 series tires in a 17" rims for the next winter season for more ground clearance in snow?)

Really nice wheel set-up! Looks classy!

Hey thanks! The rim looks smaller due to the stock 60 series profile tires. I think by removing the white center cap on the wheel and leave it the way it is looks better. 235/55/17 will give it a much better profile. I will buy a new tires next week.

[CustomLowz]

Im planning on putting mine on this weekend. I still need to scuff up and paint my OEM 19's (graphite). Then sunday Im hoping to have them installed. Cant wait to get off of my studded snow tires

What wheel setup do you run on winter? It must have been a big adjustment from 17" to 19" rims. I guess your winter setup is 18" ?

Im running the factory 18's that came with the vechicle on some Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 studded snow tires all around (had a very bad driveway in the winter). Then I was able to snag up a set of dealer take off 19's (with tires) from another EX so I run them in the summer.

I'm planning on painting the 19's because they were scrubbed too had in a few spots and the finish was messed up.

[AWGD8]

CustomLowz,

Graphite or Gunmetal color rims in our Silver EX35 looks sharp in person. My gunmetal rims is matte and it is not as shiny as I want it to look. So I sprayed on wheel protector/shine and gives it a nice shiny appearance. Yes, the EX35 girly appearance is reduced with these type of wheel colors.

I was thinking about spraying/coating it with permanent transparent gloss paint for Engines(hi heat paint) but I am not familiar painting rims. I'm afraid that the gloss coating will peel off in no time ruining my cheap rims.

Without that shine on the grey/graphite/gunmetal rims on silver car. I find it very flat looking. Let me know the tricks if you decided to put clearcoat as your final layer when you paint the your rims?

[CustomLowz]

CustomLowz,

Graphite or Gunmetal color rims in our Silver EX35 looks sharp in person. My gunmetal rims is matte and it is not as shiny as I want it to look. So I sprayed on wheel protector/shine and gives it a nice shiny appearance. Yes, the EX35 girly appearance is reduced with these type of wheel colors.

I was thinking about spraying/coating it with permanent transparent gloss paint for Engines(hi heat paint) but I am not familiar painting rims. I'm afraid that the gloss coating will peel off in no time ruining my cheap rims.

Without that shine on the grey/graphite/gunmetal rims on silver car. I find it very flat looking. Let me know the tricks if you decided to put clearcoat as your final layer when you paint the your rims?

I am planning on washing the wheels, and then scuffing them down with a scuff pad. From there, I will dust them off, and tape off the rim. Spray a few light coats of Duplicolor wheel paint to get thin even coats. Depending on how it goes, Ill do anywhere from 3-5 coats of paint. Then I will use Duplicolor clear and do the same thing. 2-3 light even coats over the wheel. Let sit overnight, then install them. They will look great with the Gold calipers that I already have, and the wheels will look sharp against the silver.

I had graphite wheels on my silver maxima and it was a great combination. Very sporty and classy at the same time.

[AWGD8]

Thanks for the tips! I would like to see the end result, but take your time. =)

[AWGD8]

BTW, i have been very active this week, still fighting this flu for 4 days now. (Tested positive via swab test in the nose) Fever is freakin on and off now and trying to confuse my system. Already filed for Family Medical Leave due to more than 3 days missed work now and counting. Hope to go back to work Monday, I just hate consuming my saved PTO for summer with family.

I never had this type of strain Flu before. It is very unique. 1st day no fever, but achy muscle. No Chills, no congestion, but dry cough.
2nd Day Chills at night and fever on and off mostly at night, but this 3rd day it stays 99.8-100.9(mild) even in am or afternoon with cold like symptom. Very potent virus this time!
I been drinking a lit of water since I an taking so much meds than my normal. Not good for kidney snd liver.

I just can't imagine getting this when you are at 60+ or older or maybe younger than 5 years old or pregnant. Son and wife got sick early January, but I got spared. This time son was sick then wife and bam! It got me good! It seems like I will be off work for a week.
Need clearance to go back to work frommy MD. Ouch that is another $100 ! $200 with lost 5 days PTO... darn!

[Chelsea John]

BTW, i have been very active this week, still fighting this flu for 4 days now. (Tested positive via swab test in the nose) Fever is freakin on and off now and trying to confuse my system. Already filed for Family Medical Leave due to more than 3 days missed work now and counting. Hope to go back to work Monday, I just hate consuming my saved PTO for summer with family.

I never had this type of strain Flu before. It is very unique. 1st day no fever, but achy muscle. No Chills, no congestion, but dry cough.
2nd Day Chills at night and fever on and off mostly at night, but this 3rd day it stays 99.8-100.9(mild) even in am or afternoon with cold like symptom. Very potent virus this time!
I been drinking a lit of water since I an taking so much meds than my normal. Not good for kidney snd liver.

I just can't imagine getting this when you are at 60+ or older or maybe younger than 5 years old or pregnant. Son and wife got sick early January, but I got spared. This time son was sick then wife and bam! It got me good! It seems like I will be off work for a week.
Need clearance to go back to work frommy MD. Ouch that is another $100 ! $200 with lost 5 days PTO... darn!

Get better soon !!! Take care....

[AWGD8]

Get better soon !!! Take care....

Thanks, man! I just saw my primary MD today, she is releasing me to work on Monday tentatively. I still have fever 100F , but no chills or muscle ache.
If I still have fever by Sunday night, my MD will check some blood work on me and extend my LOA.

Sepsis complication from Flu is scary! I am a healthcare provider and It is mandatory for us to get the Flu shot. Most of us know that the Flu Shot in late 2014 is a different Flu strain and actually the flu strain shifted leaving the vaccine, useless. Yeah, I got it and hit me hard! Never had a flu like this in my entire life!

[CustomLowz]

Wheels scuffed up, and "taped off"


After a light coat vs no paint


4 light coats, and 1 medium coats, then 2 light coats of clear, then another medium coat.



And the before picture wheels are in my signature. I think the painted wheels make the car look sportier now

[AWGD8]

Beautifully done! I might have to do it on mine too, but just the clear-coat.
What scuffing material did you use? Fine etc....?

Thanks for sharing!

[EXceptional]

These are the rims I got off eBay for our Summer tires.

They are actually Nissan Ultima rims.

Four brand spanking new rims for 600 bucks, shipped to Alberta Canada.

[CustomLowz]

Beautifully done! I might have to do it on mine too, but just the clear-coat.
What scuffing material did you use? Fine etc....?

Thanks for sharing!

This is the scuffing pad that I used prior to paint. I just wanted to get something to make the wheel paint adhere better to the wheels.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/3m-p ... =scuff+pad

[AWGD8]

Beautifully done! I might have to do it on mine too, but just the clear-coat.

What scuffing material did you use? Fine etc....?

Thanks for sharing!

This is the scuffing pad that I used prior to paint. I just wanted to get something to make the wheel paint adhere better to the wheels.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/3m-p ... =scuff+pad

Thanks for the link!

[AWGD8]

These are the rims I got off eBay for our Summer tires.

They are actually Nissan Ultima rims.

Four brand spanking new rims for 600 bucks, shipped to Alberta Canada.

Did you change the center caps to Infiniti marking or it does not have any at all?

Just an FYI, if you happen to go to USA, you can check various wheel & tire classifieds. There are nice G37 squared or staggered wheel setup sometimes as low as $250-400 (4 rims). There is a guy in Boston who is selling his G37 rims (x4) for $250. I live in WI and the shipping cost is $150-200, so I passed. If I could only pick it up, man!

[EXceptional]

The Infiniti centers pop right in.





I actually bought these NISSAN rims for Winter tire use... and then when I decided they were nicer than the OEM ones, I swapped the tires so now the NISSAN rims are for Summer... and OEM rims are for Winter.

The OEM rims also have the factory TPMS sensors installed, which I think makes more sense to use them in the Winter time than it does in the Summer.

To have to change a flat in Winter would be brutal. The Summer, well it's Summer-time, who cares?

[AWGD8]

The Infiniti centers pop right in.



I actually bought these NISSAN rims for Winter tire use... and then when I decided they were nicer than the OEM ones, I swapped the tires so now the NISSAN rims are for Summer... and OEM rims are for Winter.

The OEM rims also have the factory TPMS sensors installed, which I think makes more sense to use them in the Winter time than it does in the Summer.

To have to change a flat in Winter would be brutal. The Summer, well it's Summer-time, who cares?

That is the same thing I did, leave the TPMS on the stock Rims for winter and no TPMS for summer rims. It is better to have an early warning sign for cold brutal weather vs Summer.