I just had to rant about this. Last year in October I ordered a set of 4 Dunlop 3D Sport winter tires. It took about 3 days for them to arrive in stock. Out of curiousity I would check the Tire Rack site occasionally to see if there were any tire deals going on. I noticed that in December, several of the larger sizes were out of stock for the season. At the time I wondered what would happen if midway through the winter season I needed to replace mine. Well, that time has now come. The answer is....well...basically bend over. I hit a pothole on Wednesday. After dodging countless potholes, numbering in the hundreds, one finally got me. After coming to a stop and inspecting the car, it appeared relatively unscathed. That was until I found a bubble this morning on my rear tire. After looking on the Tire Rack to no avail, Ebay to no avail, and several other sites I called Discount Tire. I was advised that upon calling the manufacturer they were advised that there were no 19" snow tires available and that there would be no further made until next season. The only available tire found is the Blizzak. This is exceedingly frustrating! The current tires on my car have less than 5,000 miles on them and I am now being advised that it would be best to have at least two Blizzaks on the rear of the car. This also happens to be the larger and more expensive of the tires. Needless to say next October I will be first in line for both a replacement rear tire and a standby front 18" tire

 

Out of curosity. I've seen 18" rims for the crossfire on e-bay. What if you purchased 2 rims (off of e-bay) and mounted 18" snow tires on them. During the winter, take your 19" rims off and put on your 18" rims with the snow tires. This suggestion may seem a bit expensive, but you wouldn't be at the mercy of the tire companies each winter. This suggestion is assuming that there is a larger abundance of 18" snow tires than 19", and you would not have problems with the 18" tires on the back of your crossfire.

Another suggestion, Move to Austin, Texas and deal with snow every 8 years or so. LOL

 

I have same tires on my car 3 rd winnter no problems Dunlop are good tires IMO
still a lot tread left to

 

I did think about the 18" on the rear. However, then you would either need to change out the TPMs each year with a set calibrated to 18" tires, live with the tire pressure warning on constantly through the winter or pay someone to recalibrate the tpms each season. It just seemed easier to leave the 19" on. I am now reconsidering. Love the Dunlops, just hating the lack of availability. At least I have a warranty on the tire, I don't want to pay for a tire that doesn't match! I was spoiled last winter with very little snow and hardly any holes! Plus my commute is 4 miles roundtrip, so I thought I was safe....Texas doesn't sound too bad right now, I'm jealous!!

 

I suggest winter tires mounted on winter wheels with another set of TPMS sensors also. The sensors are too fragile to attempt to transfer without breaking, the sensors run about $35 per wheel from Mopar. No calibration is necessary and your overall tire diatmeter will be the same, maintaining the correct gear ratio and speedometer calibration. And the 18" suggestion for all four wheels is a good one...the taller the sidewall the less likelyhood of wheel or tire destruction from pot holes. Also, a winter tire for max snow performance should be more narrow than the factory xfire tires. This is how I have been running all of my cars in the winter for 10 years. I've found that all of my tire sets last much longer by rotating in the extra set, my snow tires on one car are 8 years old and still have another winter in them. My factory wheels aren't being detroyed by the salt in the winter either...

 

I would think the answer would be to simply get 18's from ebay and mount higher profile winter tires for the rear, to compensate the speedometer. The narrow 225 width will do better than the 255's in the snow. With the added sidewall height, you would be more pothole-proof also.

 

We purchased 18" front spares off ebay because they were so inexpensive. Good insurance is what we were thinkin'. They were $90 plus shipping, came to $130 I think. Used with 80% tread left. Can't beat it.Will find the seller's name.

 

Check the seller etiresmarket1 on sellers category