A second set of wheels with winter tyres: what does it cost and when is it worth it?

If you drive on winter tyres in winter, you have two options. Either you have the tyres refitted on your rims every season, or you buy a second set of wheels with the winter tyres already fitted.

Below you can read what it costs, which wheel fits your car and what you need to arrange in advance for the tyre pressure sensors.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 8 November 2026

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Our team speaks English, on the phone too. Have your registration number (kenteken) ready. We tell you one price in advance and when you can bring the car. Open Monday to Friday 8.00 to 17.30, Saturday 9.00 to 15.00.

The short answer

A second set of wheels with winter tyres, also called complete winter wheels, is worth it if you drive on winter tyres every year and have room at home to store four wheels.

You pay once for the wheels, but at every changeover the tyres stay on the rims and, according to the ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, you save on balancing and valves. What a second set costs depends on the tyres and rims your car needs, and we tell you one price in advance, based on your registration number.

We do not offer storage. If your car has tyre pressure sensors in the wheels, the second set needs its own sensors. Mention it when you call. We then tell you in advance how the new wheels get sensors, what it costs and what you need to do.

Tyre service at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug: new summer, winter and all-season tyres for all makes and sizes, including electric cars, vans and motorhomes up to 3,500 kg. We tell you the price in advance based on your registration number, including fitting, balancing and disposal of the old tyres. Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number and we tell you the price and when we can do it. You bring the car and we call you when it is ready. A loan bike is free while one is available. Saturdays too. Our team speaks English. More about our tyre service

What is the difference between complete winter wheels and refitting the tyres on the rims?

With complete winter wheels, the winter tyres sit on their own set of rims. At a changeover four wheels come off and four other wheels go on. If you have the tyres refitted instead, you drive on one set of rims all year. The mechanic then swaps the tyres on those rims twice a year and balances every wheel again.

First, a few terms. The rim is the metal part the tyre sits on. Rim and tyre together are called the wheel. Balancing means the mechanic sticks or clips small weights onto the rim, so the wheel turns without vibrating.

Complete winter wheels Tyres refitted on the rims
Purchase Complete winter wheelsTyres plus an extra set of rims Tyres refitted on the rimsOnly the tyres
At every changeover Complete winter wheelsWheels off and on Tyres refitted on the rimsTyres off the rims, other tyres on, balancing
Balancing and valves Complete winter wheelsYou save on these at the changeover (ANWB) Tyres refitted on the rimsAgain at every changeover
Storage Complete winter wheelsFour complete wheels at home Tyres refitted on the rimsFour loose tyres at home
Tyre pressure sensors Complete winter wheelsSecond set needs its own sensors Tyres refitted on the rimsSensors stay in the same rims

Source: ANWB, Winterbanden kopen (buying winter tyres, in Dutch).

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a second set of wheels?

The main advantage is that every changeover is quicker. In its article Winterbanden kopen (opens in a new tab) (in Dutch), the ANWB advises buying a set of winter tyres including four rims. This saves you money on balancing and valves.

  • Quicker changeover: the tyres stay on the rims and the wheels do not need to be balanced again.
  • Less strain on tyre and rim: every time a tyre is fitted on a rim, the edge of the tyre (the bead) goes over the rim flange. The less often that happens, the smaller the chance of a damaged bead or rim flange.
  • Free choice of wheels for winter: you can choose steel wheels for the winter and keep your alloy wheels away from road salt.

There are also disadvantages. Take them into account when you choose.

  • Purchase: besides the tyres you also buy four rims.
  • Space at home: four complete wheels take up more room than four loose tyres. We do not offer tyre storage, so you store the wheels yourself. Keep them in a cool, dry and dark place.
  • Tyre pressure sensors: if your car has sensors in the wheels, the second set needs its own sensors. Mention this when you call and we tell you in advance how that set gets sensors and what it costs.
  • Wheel bolts: bolts or nuts that fit your summer wheels do not automatically fit a different rim.

Steel or alloy wheels for the winter?

For the winter many drivers choose steel wheels. The ANWB article on wheels (opens in a new tab) (in Dutch) says that a steel wheel copes better with salt and ice than an alloy wheel, and that a set of steel wheels costs less than an extra set of alloy wheels.

According to the ANWB, alloy wheels look better, but they are also more expensive and more vulnerable. They pick up kerb damage more easily.

Steel wheels Alloy wheels
Price Steel wheelsLower Alloy wheelsHigher
Road salt and ice Steel wheelsGood resistance Alloy wheelsLess resistant (salt attacks the finish), but does not rust like steel
Kerb damage Steel wheelsLess vulnerable Alloy wheelsDamaged more easily
Appearance Steel wheelsPlain, with wheel trims if you like Alloy wheelsLooks better

Based on the ANWB articles Velgen (wheels) and Winterbanden kopen (buying winter tyres), both in Dutch.

According to the ANWB, you can also fit winter tyres on alloy wheels without any problem. That is a matter of taste and budget.

Which wheel fits your car?

A wheel only fits if the size, bolt pattern, offset (ET value) and centre bore are right for your car. The load capacity, the room for the brakes and the wheel bolts must also be right. We check these points:

  1. Diameter and width: both are marked on the rim. You can also see the diameter in inches in the tyre size. With 205/55 R16, it is 16 inches.
  2. Bolt pattern: the number of bolt holes and the circle they sit on, for example 5×112. That means five bolts on a circle with a diameter of 112 mm. According to the ANWB, it must match your car.
  3. Offset (ET value): the distance in mm between the centre of the rim and the surface where the rim sits against the hub. ET comes from the German word Einpresstiefe. With a smaller ET value, the wheel sits further out. According to the ANWB, the ET value must be the same as that of the original wheels, because otherwise the car does not handle as well.
  4. Centre bore: the hole in the middle of the rim must fit the hub of your car. If the hole is larger, a centring ring fills the gap and keeps the rim in the centre.
  5. Load capacity: the rim and the tyre must be able to carry the weight of your car. Pay extra attention to this with an electric car, a van or a motorhome up to 3,500 kg.
  6. Room for brakes and suspension: a smaller winter wheel must still fit over the brake caliper. The wheel must not touch the suspension strut on the inside either.
  7. Wheel bolts or wheel nuts: the length of the bolt and the shape of the seat must match the rim. The seat is the part that presses against the rim. If your car has locking wheel bolts, bring the locking wheel bolt key.

The tyre sizes allowed on your car are listed in the owner’s manual, on the certificate of conformity and often on a sticker in the door pillar or the fuel filler flap. A size other than the factory size is sometimes possible, but the rolling circumference of the wheel must then stay almost the same.

The rolling circumference is the distance the wheel covers in one full turn. The load index must be at least the same. A winter tyre may have a lower speed rating: the ANWB advises T (up to 190 km/h) or H (up to 210 km/h).

If the rating is lower than that of your car, a sticker showing the maximum speed must be in view of the driver. In Germany this is compulsory. How to read the size on your tyre is explained in tyre size explained.

Do you want to use snow chains on a skiing holiday? Then check the owner’s manual to see which tyre sizes can be used with chains. On some cars this is only a smaller size. In that case, choose the winter wheels in that size.

What do you need to arrange for the tyre pressure sensors (TPMS)?

TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) warns you when a tyre is low on air. Under EU Regulation 661/2009 (opens in a new tab), every new passenger car in the EU has had to have such a system since 1 November 2014. Since 6 July 2022 this falls under Regulation (EU) 2019/2144.

If your car has a direct tyre pressure monitoring system, the second set needs its own sensors. Mention it when you call. We then tell you in advance how the new wheels get sensors, what it costs and what you need to do. That way no warning light comes on and the APK (MOT) is not a problem.

  • Direct system: each wheel has a sensor, usually behind the valve on the inside of the rim. So the sensor is fixed to the rim and does not move with the tyre. That is why a second set of wheels needs four sensors of its own.
  • Indirect system: there are no sensors in the wheels. The car compares the speed of the four wheels using the ABS sensors. A tyre that is low on air turns slightly faster. After a changeover you reset the system in the menu or with a button. The owner’s manual tells you how.

An example from a manufacturer: the Volvo EX30 manual (opens in a new tab) (in Dutch) states that all wheels, including winter wheels, must have sensors. If you fit a wheel without a sensor, a warning message appears after a few minutes of driving. The APK (MOT) is the Dutch periodic roadworthiness test.

According to the RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority, in its APK manual (opens in a new tab) (in Dutch), the tyre pressure monitoring system of cars first registered after 31 December 2017 must not show a fault. If the warning light is on at the test, the car does not meet that requirement.

Call us with your registration number before you buy winter wheels. You can read more about the warning light and the right pressure in checking the tyre pressure of your car.

What does a second set of wheels with winter tyres cost?

You pay once for winter tyres, rims and fitting, and after that for two changeovers a year. We tell you one price in advance, based on your registration number. The amounts below are market indications, each with its source.

Cost item Indication Source
Set of four winter tyres Indication€ 300 to € 1,000 SourceANWB, Winterbanden kopen
Second set of wheels: two changeovers a year plus storage Indicationon average € 120 to € 150 a year SourceANWB, 22 September 2026
Fitting and balancing at large tyre chains Indication€ 32 to € 38 per tyre SourceANWB, 22 September 2026
Rims IndicationSteel wheels cost less than alloy wheels SourceANWB, Velgen

Market indications, checked on 7 November 2026, not a quote from Autobedrijf Willemsbrug. The ANWB amount per year includes storage. We do not offer tyre storage.

Not sure whether you need winter tyres at all? First read all-season vs winter tyres: which is right for you. More amounts with sources, also per tyre size, are in what tyre replacement costs including fitting.

How does it work when we supply and fit your winter wheels?

We supply and fit rims and complete winter wheels, with the price in advance based on your registration number. This is how it works:

  1. Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00 and we tell you the price and when we can do it.
  2. Using your registration number, we look up the rims and tyres that are allowed on your car: size, bolt pattern, ET value, centre bore, load index and speed rating. We also check whether your car has sensors in the wheels. If it does, we tell you in advance how the new wheels get sensors and what it costs.
  3. You choose steel or alloy wheels and a tyre from three price classes: budget, mid-range and premium.
  4. We tell you one price in advance. If anything needs to be added, we tell you first.
  5. You bring the car Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am or by appointment, or on Saturday at 9.00 am. Waiting while we work is not possible. A loan bike is free while one is available.
  6. We fit and balance the wheels, check tread depth, age and tyre pressure, and tighten the wheel bolts to the torque the manufacturer specifies.
  7. The car is usually ready the same day, if there is space in our schedule. We call you when it is ready.
  8. You take the summer wheels home with you. You can pay by debit card (PIN) or in cash. We do not accept credit cards.
Have the wheel bolts checked and retightened after about 100 km. We do not store tyres or wheels. So make sure you have room at home for the wheels. Does your car have tyre pressure sensors in the wheels? Mention it when you call. We then tell you in advance how the new wheels get sensors, what it costs and what you need to do. That way no warning light comes on and the APK (MOT) is not a problem.

Do you already have winter wheels and only want them changed? See winter tyres in Rotterdam. Are you looking for new tyres for your current rims? See tyre replacement and changeover in Rotterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Can you store my winter wheels for me?

No. We do not offer tyre storage, not for complete wheels either. You take the wheels that come off the car home with you. So make sure you have room at home for four wheels.

Can I wait while you fit the winter wheels?

No. Waiting is not possible, not even when we only swap complete wheels. You bring the car. The car is usually ready the same day, if there is space in our schedule. We call you when it is ready.

Do winter tyres on their own rims need balancing at every changeover?

No, not at every changeover. The wheels are balanced when the tyres are fitted on the rims. According to the ANWB, a second set of wheels saves you money on balancing. If the steering wheel vibrates after the changeover, have the balance checked.

Can my winter wheels be a smaller size than my summer wheels?

Yes, if that size is approved for your car. The rolling circumference of the wheel must then stay almost the same, and the load index must be at least the same.

A winter tyre may have a lower speed rating, with a sticker in view of the driver showing the maximum speed. The rim must also fit over the brake caliper. The allowed sizes are in the owner’s manual and on the certificate of conformity.

Can I have winter wheels fitted on a Saturday?

Yes. We are open on Saturday from 9.00 to 15.00. Please bring the car at 9.00 am. Call us with your registration number and we tell you the price and when we can do it. You can pay by debit card (PIN) or in cash. We do not accept credit cards.

Do the tyre pressure sensors stay in place if you refit the tyres on the same rims?

Yes. With a direct system the sensor is fixed to the rim, not to the tyre. If you have the winter tyres fitted on the same rims, the sensors stay where they are. You only need sensors of your own with a second set of wheels.

Complete winter wheels based on your registration number

Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00 and we tell you the price and when we can do it. We tell you one price in advance for the rims, the tyres, the fitting and the balancing.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. Call us with your registration number and we tell you the price and when we can do it.

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