WK2 Wheels and TPMS sensors worked just fine for me, FYI

[Sarge]

Here's a few photos, but as expected, the 20" WK2 wheel fitment is fine on the WL.

More surprisingly, the TPMS sensors that came on the wheels also worked (bought the used 80th anniversary WK2 wheels on ebay)

 

[Bradef]

Great selection love the gunmetal color rims goes well with the silver have same color. What kinna tires are you running during winter and how are they performing in those snowy conditions?

 

[Sarge]

Great selection love the gunmetal color rims goes well with the silver have same color. What kinna tires are you running during winter and how are they performing in those snowy conditions?

(1) seems I spoke too soon on the TPMS sensors. They were working when I left the tire shop, but then they all lost connection yesterday. Bummer.

(2) The tires are Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV (stock 20" size). They're supposed to be the best current snow tire. I've always had Blizzaks in the past, which are great, but only the top 30% of the tread is the extra sticky rubber (because it's so soft), after that wears through they're like really good all season tires more than snow tires. The new Michelin tread compound is the same all the way down to the wear bars, and in testing they perform as well or better than the Blizzaks (new vs new, but the Michelins will remain better as the tread wears.)

I've only had them a couple days, but the Michelins are better than the Blizzaks on my other cars, however those Blizzaks (on a BMW wagon and an Xterra) both have a couple of winters on them at this point. So, if you're looking for snow tires, I don't think you can do better than the new Michelins.

 

[Bradef]

Solid info thanks for the great review looks very snowy there will Def consider those for winter trips, remind me of the nokian brand by looks and seem to be very similar tech good stuff. May get the Cooper at3 4s for all season capability and more durability on highways.

 

[SweetAndLow]

seems I spoke too soon on the TPMS sensors. They were working when I left the tire shop, but then they all lost connection yesterday. Bummer.

I was going to comment original but decided to just not bother. But now you said it, I was going to say no way the WK sensors work. It's a completely different sensor.

I bought blizzack dm-v2's but I was also looking at the x-ice. Both excellent tires and can't go wrong with either.

 

[Sarge]

I was going to comment original but decided to just not bother. But now you said it, I was going to say no way the WK sensors work. It's a completely different sensor.

I bought blizzack dm-v2's but I was also looking at the x-ice. Both excellent tires and can't go wrong with either.

I told the tire shop to take the old ones off the WK2 wheels and put the factory ones in from my stock wheels, but they told me "we got them to work"... and they did work when I drove away, but I wonder if it was just because the stock wheels were still mounted in the cargo area (which surprisingly holds all four wheels behind the second row).

Anyway, now I have to order new sensors and live with the light while they're on backorder.

I have the DM-V2's on my Xterra. My initial impression is the Michelin's have noticeably better grip for acceleration (but they're brand new vs 2 year old DMV2). I will wait a few weeks to compare the two before passing judgment. The thing I like about the Michelin's is the tread blocks having the same compound all the way through, unlike the Blizzaks... which would make the Michelin's a better buy. But we'll see...

 

[Sarge]

I wish we could edit thread titles, because again, a day later, the WK2 TPMS sensors DO NOT WORK. (initially synched, and then lost the signal, or the shop didn't know what they were doing).

 

[SweetAndLow]

I told the tire shop to take the old ones off the WK2 wheels and put the factory ones in from my stock wheels, but they told me "we got them to work"... and they did work when I drove away, but I wonder if it was just because the stock wheels were still mounted in the cargo area (which surprisingly holds all four wheels behind the second row).

Anyway, now I have to order new sensors and live with the light while they're on backorder.

I have the DM-V2's on my Xterra. My initial impression is the Michelin's have noticeably better grip for acceleration (but they're brand new vs 2 year old DMV2). I will wait a few weeks to compare the two before passing judgment. The thing I like about the Michelin's is the tread blocks having the same compound all the way through, unlike the Blizzaks... which would make the Michelin's a better buy. But we'll see...

I hate all the winter tire reviews because they always run them on a brand new set of tires. I want to see the testing done on a set that has gone through 2 winters. Everything brand new will be awesome but after some millage is when the true winner shows.

Good luck with the x-ice!

The tire shops never know what they are doing with tpms, it's embarrassing. I do them all myself at this point. I think the jeep will eventually hide the tpms light on the dash so it won't be as annoying, i'm not sure of this though.

 

[Sarge]

There was a study, somewhat interesting, probably a decade ago, that was done by the Alaska DOT IIRC. The study compared the best studded to studless winter tires and found that after about 500 miles on dry roads, the studs rounded off and they were less effective on snow than the best studless tires.

As for 'worn vs new', I'd be interested to see a long term winter tire comparison test. Seems like something Car and Driver could do...

 

[SweetAndLow]

There was a study, somewhat interesting, probably a decade ago, that was done by the Alaska DOT IIRC. The study compared the best studded to studless winter tires and found that after about 500 miles on dry roads, the studs rounded off and they were less effective on snow than the best studless tires.

As for 'worn vs new', I'd be interested to see a long term winter tire comparison test. Seems like something Car and Driver could do...

I have never used studs so I'm a little biased but tread design and rubber compound have gotten so go I don't know how much studs actually matter anymore. If you are driving in ice everyday all day I think it probably makes sense. But the second you hit some dry pavement the studs are scary.

 

[Sarge]

Scary, annoying, and bad for the pavement, too.