Can I just rent a set of winter tires? - Subaru Outback

Xakepa · 01-10-2012, 02:34 PM

... and do you know if anyone offers such an option?

I'll be doing snow trips few times in a winter season and there's no point for me to install winter tires permanently (we live in a snow-free area - Portland, OR). On the other hand winter tires are a safety issue when it comes to driving on snow-covered/frozen roads, after sunset, tired after a day of skiing (I skid more than once in that exact scenario ... not with an Outback though)

I live in a condo and I have no room to keep 4 extra wheels. Renting will be the best option for me. And I don't care about TPMS light being on as long as it does not hamper the operation of the car in any way.

Pls let me know if you heard about such options. Thanks.

Startiger · 01-10-2012, 02:51 PM

Could you use a couple sets of snow chains? You can put them on and take them off as needed.

Amazon

2 pairs of these would run you under $150 and are small enough to store in the bottom of your closet during the summer.

subiesailor · 01-10-2012, 02:58 PM

Good quality all weather tires will do the job. I had the same issue for many years and simply ran stock tires with good tread best tread on the rear. SF to Tahoe much like your situation. NEVER once had any issues even on the Epic storms. Just make sure you have good quality all seasons which do well with snow and your fine.

**AWDFTW** · 01-10-2012, 03:38 PM

Never heard of a tire renting service. Don't think it exists.

pepper3245 · 01-10-2012, 04:04 PM

trade your current tires in for all-weasther tires? May not get much for your tires but then "how much" is an accident?

frankspinz · 01-10-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xakepa

... and do you know if anyone offers such an option?
....

There's a super business plan if I ever heard one...

Maybe you could convince some tool rental outlets to buy and rent out tires ... However, there are so many sizes it might not be viable ...

In Canada, many garages and car dealerships now offer tire storage. You buy them, they store them for you until you need them ... Summer tires in winter - winter tires in the summer ...

subiesailor · 01-10-2012, 08:01 PM

Its already done - its called the chain monkey at the chain inspection stop. He rents chains to the poor suckers running 2wd cars or AWD cars with summer tires.

John E Davies · 01-11-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankspinz

However, there are so many sizes it might not be viable

That's the clincher - you wouldn't be renting just tires, but tires and wheels, and there are SO many combinations that it would be an impossible business model.

Even if you did rent just tires, you would have to figure in the cost of mounting and balancing TWICE for each rental period, and no sane person would pay the cost for a weekend rental. And what a PITA it would be, with folks waiting in line to get their tires installed or removed. It's already bad enough at the beginning and end of snow season.

To the OP: winter capable All Seasons (with the snowflake on the sidewall) make tons more sense.....

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

SaabKen · 04-09-2012, 12:30 PM

IMHO, there's one thing that would make this business model hard to succeed: L-I-T-I-G-A-T-I-O-N

Unless upon renting, the renter signs a waiver form that completely absolves the rental company from any liabilities pertaining to injuries & damages incurred by the renter while driving using the rental winter tires in whatever road/weather conditions that were encountered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John E Davies

That's the clincher - you wouldn't be renting just tires, but tires and wheels, and there are SO many combinations that it would be an impossible business model.

Even if you did rent just tires, you would have to figure in the cost of mounting and balancing TWICE for each rental period, and no sane person would pay the cost for a weekend rental. And what a PITA it would be, with folks waiting in line to get their tires installed or removed. It's already bad enough at the beginning and end of snow season.

To the OP: winter capable All Seasons (with the snowflake on the sidewall) make tons more sense.....

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

98obster · 04-09-2012, 12:59 PM

Just run winterforce tired all year long. Very tough tread.

01-10-2012, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Xakepa Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PDX Car: 2009 Outback 2.5i EJ253 4EAT Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Can I just rent a set of winter tires? ... and do you know if anyone offers such an option? I'll be doing snow trips few times in a winter season and there's no point for me to install winter tires permanently (we live in a snow-free area - Portland, OR). On the other hand winter tires are a safety issue when it comes to driving on snow-covered/frozen roads, after sunset, tired after a day of skiing (I skid more than once in that exact scenario ... not with an Outback though) I live in a condo and I have no room to keep 4 extra wheels. Renting will be the best option for me. And I don't care about TPMS light being on as long as it does not hamper the operation of the car in any way. Pls let me know if you heard about such options. Thanks.

01-10-2012, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Startiger Just this guy, you know. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern West Virginia Car: 2009 2.5i, H4, Auto. Posts: 783 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Could you use a couple sets of snow chains? You can put them on and take them off as needed. Amazon Amazon 2 pairs of these would run you under $150 and are small enough to store in the bottom of your closet during the summer.

01-10-2012, 03:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,016 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Never heard of a tire renting service. Don't think it exists. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 124,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

01-10-2012, 02:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,446 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Good quality all weather tires will do the job. I had the same issue for many years and simply ran stock tires with good tread best tread on the rear. SF to Tahoe much like your situation. NEVER once had any issues even on the Epic storms. Just make sure you have good quality all seasons which do well with snow and your fine.

01-10-2012, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
pepper3245 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Car: 98 OB Posts: 29 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	trade your current tires in for all-weasther tires? May not get much for your tires but then "how much" is an accident?

01-10-2012, 08:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,446 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Its already done - its called the chain monkey at the chain inspection stop. He rents chains to the poor suckers running 2wd cars or AWD cars with summer tires.

04-09-2012, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
98obster Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Greeley CO Car: 97 OB Ltd, 98 OBS Posts: 147 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just run winterforce tired all year long. Very tough tread.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Subaru Outback Forum Advertisement