Winter tire packages are up on Tire Rack for 2018 A5/S5
09-17-2017, 05:10 PM
#21
Regarding balancing, I had always assumed that balancing needed to be done once the wheels were on the car, and then also it had to be done each time you did a tire rotation.
09-17-2017, 05:21 PM
#22
AudiWorld Super User
Can any reasonably handy person swap out their tires using the tools included with the car? Or would you recommend taking it to the shop? I've put on spare tires before, but it was always temporary, and also on a more "basic" vehicle.
Regarding balancing, I had always assumed that balancing needed to be done once the wheels were on the car, and then also it had to be done each time you did a tire rotation.
Regarding balancing, I had always assumed that balancing needed to be done once the wheels were on the car, and then also it had to be done each time you did a tire rotation.
09-17-2017, 05:21 PM
#23
Can any reasonably handy person swap out their tires using the tools included with the car? Or would you recommend taking it to the shop? I've put on spare tires before, but it was always temporary, and also on a more "basic" vehicle.
Regarding balancing, I had always assumed that balancing needed to be done once the wheels were on the car, and then also it had to be done each time you did a tire rotation.
Regarding balancing, I had always assumed that balancing needed to be done once the wheels were on the car, and then also it had to be done each time you did a tire rotation.
Yeah, as long as you have a jack, stand, and torque wrench you can do it. It doesn't matter if it's a Honda Civic or a Rolls Royce Phantom, taking wheels off and putting on new ones is essentially the the same.
09-17-2017, 05:31 PM
#24
Odd, the wheel size tirerack recommends for 17in winters is 235/50/17. The package pricing I got from my dealership in Toronto has the 17s as 225/50/17.
Also, there are way more tire options available in the 225 size and tirerack only has one in the 235 size.
I was considering going with 18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s, but they have Michelin Alpin A4 ZPs in 17. Anyone know anything about the ZPs?
Also, there are way more tire options available in the 225 size and tirerack only has one in the 235 size.
I was considering going with 18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s, but they have Michelin Alpin A4 ZPs in 17. Anyone know anything about the ZPs?
I've been going to Automotive Import Market. The're right around Steeles and Victoria Park. They supply most of the dealerships in Toronto. I got my winter tires setup from them for less than half of what the dealer was quoting.
09-17-2017, 05:45 PM
#25
No. Balancing is done prior to the tires and wheels being mounted on the car. The tires are mounted on the wheels and then they're put on a balancing machine and spun. The machine then tells the tech where to put the weights. Unless you're experiencing vibrations tires only need to be balanced once before they're first put on the car.
Yeah, as long as you have a jack, stand, and torque wrench you can do it. It doesn't matter if it's a Honda Civic or a Rolls Royce Phantom, taking wheels off and putting on new ones is essentially the the same.
Yeah, as long as you have a jack, stand, and torque wrench you can do it. It doesn't matter if it's a Honda Civic or a Rolls Royce Phantom, taking wheels off and putting on new ones is essentially the the same.
I haven't checked, but I'm assuming the wrench that comes with the car isn't a proper torque wrench? If so, I'll need to buy one. And I could use the jack that is included, though a hydraulic jack could be a worthwhile investment.
09-17-2017, 07:22 PM
#26
Wow, this is somewhat mind blowing. I've been thinking so much on how to get the tires from house to shop, if I should store them there, ROI on dedicated sets, etc, but if I can just do them myself, then that really simplifies a bunch of stuff.
I haven't checked, but I'm assuming the wrench that comes with the car isn't a proper torque wrench? If so, I'll need to buy one. And I could use the jack that is included, though a hydraulic jack could be a worthwhile investment.
I haven't checked, but I'm assuming the wrench that comes with the car isn't a proper torque wrench? If so, I'll need to buy one. And I could use the jack that is included, though a hydraulic jack could be a worthwhile investment.
The wrench that comes with the car isn't a torque wrench; you'll need to buy one. You may also want to get a good tire pressure gauge and compressor as well as a tube of anti-seize lube to put on the bolts/studs before you put the wheel nuts on (it makes it a lot easier to take them off at the end of winter). Put them on by hand and then do the final tightening with the torque wrench.
I suggested a stand because working on your car while it's up on just a jack isn't "best practices". Jacks have been known to occasionally fail and that makes for an expensive repair and sometimes horrific injuries. Just put a piece of wood down first and then the jack and stand on top of the wood.
09-18-2017, 03:37 AM
#27
AudiWorld Member
Assuming the tires are mounted on the wheels and balanced, yeah you could do it yourself.
I suggested a stand because working on your car while it's up on just a jack isn't "best practices". Jacks have been known to occasionally fail and that makes for an expensive repair and sometimes horrific injuries. Just put a piece of wood down first and then the jack and stand on top of the wood.
I suggested a stand because working on your car while it's up on just a jack isn't "best practices". Jacks have been known to occasionally fail and that makes for an expensive repair and sometimes horrific injuries. Just put a piece of wood down first and then the jack and stand on top of the wood.
1. Read the owners manual about how to use the included jack, but most importantly WHERE to place the jack mounts.
2. Do not wait to late in the year to change the wheels, It sucks when it is 32F outside and your garage only gets to 42F. Fingers start to get numb :-)
3. Label the wheels that you take off and where on the car it came from. LF, RF, LR, RR That way you can either put them back in the spring or rotate them correctly.
4. Most winter tires have a rotational direction. Look at the tires for an arrow and make sure it is going to roll the correct way.
5. Store your good rims and summer tires carefully or get a Tire Tote with felt inserts. https://www.tirerack.com/accessories...y=Tire+Storage
6. If you buy a hydraulic jack or use stands, make sure you buy one that can lift the car high enough. I have seen many people buy a cheap jack and find out that it just does not lift the car high enough and then they use unsafe methods to try and block the jack.
@JohnEnglish probably uses a 2x6 or 2x8 solid wood block and not redneck blocking seen here.
7. If you have a Harbor Freight around you, then you can pick up a inexpensive jack and stands that will work well.
09-18-2017, 06:08 AM
#28
09-18-2017, 01:32 PM
#30
Out of curiosity what did your dealership quote you?
I've been going to Automotive Import Market. The're right around Steeles and Victoria Park. They supply most of the dealerships in Toronto. I got my winter tires setup from them for less than half of what the dealer was quoting.
I've been going to Automotive Import Market. The're right around Steeles and Victoria Park. They supply most of the dealerships in Toronto. I got my winter tires setup from them for less than half of what the dealer was quoting.
Way too expensive in my book. I can get a setup from Simply Tire with 18in VMR rims and Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s for roughly $1000 cheaper.