2nd set of wheels for snow tires, need help

[ScoobyDoo27]

So when it comes to wheels and tires I hardly know a thing and looking for a bit help before I make a purchase.

I just experienced my first snowy winter drive with my 2024 premium and the tires did not perform worth crap. My commute to work is 110 miles round trip daily in the mountains of northern Utah so I'm gonna need to get snow tires. Rather than swap out tires on 1 set of wheels every season I would like to just get another set of wheels. I found a set of 18" OEM wheels but they don't have valve stems or center caps (wheels LJ8Z1007A).

I'm guessing the tire shop can put in valve stems for me when I purchase tires?
Where can I find center caps for the wheels? When I Google the part number it shows an assembly but I can't seem to find just center caps.
Will the 18" wheels fit a premium trim Mach-E?

I appreciate the help.

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[geftsnowball]

Is there a reason you want those specific wheels? Why not make an order from a reseller, e.g., Tire Rack where everything is included (grabbed a random Utah zip since you mentioned the area)

 

[ScoobyDoo27]

I'm not opposed to any wheels, just looking for affordable (the set of OEM is only $137 a wheel). I also assumed OEM wheels will get better mileage/efficiency.

I like the option & price you show in tire rack. Do they mount/balance and ship right to your door?

 

[geftsnowball]

I'm not opposed to any wheels, just looking for affordable (the set of OEM is only $137 a wheel). I also assumed OEM wheels will get better mileage/efficiency.

I like the option & price you show in tire rack. Do they mount/balance and ship right to your door?

Yep, full set all ready to go. Can either swap them on yourself or make an appointment at a tire shop/dealer. I use my FordPass points to do this (about $30 bucks worth) each season.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

I'm not opposed to any wheels, just looking for affordable (the set of OEM is only $137 a wheel). I also assumed OEM wheels will get better mileage/efficiency.

I like the option & price you show in tire rack. Do they mount/balance and ship right to your door?

Like you, I prefer OEM wheels and ended up buying a takeoff set that were the same as my summer ones on my 22 premium. There are many variables that could impact functionality, efficiency, and esthetics. I just don’t like the look of aftermarket wheels and had bad luck with several sets I bought from tire rack.

For my premium, I bought tires and tpms from tire rack and scheduled their mobile truck to come to my door and install right there. Best of all worlds.

The 18s would fit the premium w/ no problem (see post: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...iency-on-awd-premium.34551/page-2#post-775827).

I also think you can find inexpensive center hub caps online with a little searching.

Lastly, you can use the same lug nuts that you have today.

 

[Sparky_Beast]

I'm not opposed to any wheels, just looking for affordable (the set of OEM is only $137 a wheel). I also assumed OEM wheels will get better mileage/efficiency.

I like the option & price you show in tire rack. Do they mount/balance and ship right to your door?

I have used Tire Rack in the past and have been very pleased. I just bought wheel and snow tires together and had them delivered! Very affordable and great look to them as well. Hard to beat the price and service.

 

[mg_gti]

Make sure whatever tires/rims you buy have the appropriate load rating (e.g the Blizzaks shown above are not suitable for a Mach-e). See https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...fset-center-bore-load-rating-gvwr-table.3037/ for more info.

 

[ScoobyDoo27]

I went ahead and ordered from Tire Rack. I would prefer the OEM look but the price difference to have them shipped to my door and ready to go is just too nice for not much more money. I appreciate everyone's response.

Make sure whatever tires/rims you buy have the appropriate load rating (e.g the Blizzaks shown above are not suitable for a Mach-e). See https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...wheel-and-tire-information-and-pictures.7258/ for more info.

Why would those Blizzaks not work? They are rated for a max load of 1764 lbs per tire which is a total of 7056 lbs and the car only weighs 4500 lbs. I don't forsee myself adding another 2500 lbs of weight to the car.

 

[mg_gti]

Personally I wouldn't install something that didn't meet or exceed the load rating of the OEM tires.

 

[markboris]

I went ahead and ordered from Tire Rack. I would prefer the OEM look but the price difference to have them shipped to my door and ready to go is just too nice for not much more money. I appreciate everyone's response.



Why would those Blizzaks not work? They are rated for a max load of 1764 lbs per tire which is a total of 7056 lbs and the car only weighs 4500 lbs. I don't forsee myself adding another 2500 lbs of weight to the car.

I am surprised The Tire Rack would sell you tires that do not meet the minimum load rating for the Mach-E unless they did not know what car you were buying them for. Not only are the tires not up to the minimum load rating of the Mach-E, they are standard load range tires which should not be used on an EV. All EV's use EXTRA load range rated tires. The car weighs close to 5000 lbs (not 4500) and your total of 7056 for SL 100 load range tires might seem to be more than enough, but not if you were driving down the road at a decent speed and had to stand on the brakes. Now, those front tires are going to have way more of a load put on them than they would normally have. I'am not saying they won't work, but to play is safe, you should be running XL Load range 103 or higher tires. Also IF you happen to get in an accident and the tire (blow out) was the cause and the insurance company found out you did not have the proper load rated tires, there will be issues and I have seen that more than once. I'm not an expert on tires but maybe Brian (tuminatr) who is one, will chime in on this.

 

[ScoobyDoo27]

I am surprised The Tire Rack would sell you tires that do not meet the minimum load rating for the Mach-E unless they did not know what car you were buying them for. Not only are the tires not up to the minimum load rating of the Mach-E, they are standard load range tires which should not be used on an EV. All EV's use EXTRA load range rated tires. The car weighs close to 5000 lbs (not 4500) and your total of 7056 for SL 100 load range tires might seem to be more than enough, but not if you were driving down the road at a decent speed and had to stand on the brakes. Now, those front tires are going to have way more of a load put on them than they would normally have. I'am not saying they won't work, but to play is safe, you should be running XL Load range 103 or higher tires. Also IF you happen to get in an accident and the tire (blow out) was the cause and the insurance company found out you did not have the proper load rated tires, there will be issues and I have seen that more than once. I'm not an expert on tires but maybe Brian (tuminatr) who is one, will chime in on this.

Very good info, I appreciate it. I will look at other tires. I had the Mach-E loaded in Tire Rack and those are the tires it showed me for the car.

 

[mg_gti]

Not overly surprised. When I was buying winters the local Ford dealer quoted me SL tires ?.

 

[Adventureboy]

The OEM 18" wheels will fit the Premium. I run 18" winters on my Premium because I like a little extra rubber in the winter to combat potholes here. Your tire shop can install valve stems and tire pressure sensors when they install the tires.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Tire rack is showing both SL and XL options for the Mach-E for some reason.

@ScoobyDoo27, just get the Blizzaks LM001 instead. They are XLs but run flats unfortunately. You don’t have a Michelin x-ice option in this size. But they are exceptional if you decide to go with 19”s.

 

[ScoobyDoo27]

Tire rack is showing both SL and XL options for the Mach-E for some reason.

@ScoobyDoo27, just get the Blizzaks LM001 instead. They are XLs but run flats unfortunately. You don’t have a Michelin x-ice option in this size. But they are exceptional if you decide to go with 19”s.

I ended up going with the Vredestein Wintrac Pro's for the price. Based off the little research I did people were happy with their performance in the snow so we'll see how they go. Since I wanted to buy a second set of wheels, I wanted 18's to keep the tires cheaper. It is a bummer that the Michelin's aren't in that size as they seem to be the best snow tire out there.

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