Fiat-Chrysler rolls out winter wheel and tire packages

Fiat-Chrysler Automobile is launching new winter wheel and tire packages through the company's long time parts group Mopar.

The winter packages are available for several vehicles and more type of vehicles will be added in the future. The owners can order the winter wheel and tire sets at any local FCA dealerships.

The rollout marks the first time an automaker is offering winter wheel and tire packages. The winter tires enhance vehicle control and safety when temperatures fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The specific rubber compounds used in winter tires and the special tread patterns maintain grip in snow and ice.

According to Top Speed, FCA's Head of Parts and Service Pietro Gorlier said that Mopar is rolling out the first-ever offering of winter wheel assemblies for the customers who desire a little extra control during the cold weather seasons.

Gorlier said that the assemblies are ready to install and they will deliver additional peace of mind, even in areas unaffected by the harshest winter weather.

According to Car and Driver, Mopar's winter tire packages come with mounted and balanced on plain steel wheels. The package includes tire pressure sensors and tire pressure monitor.

The FCA dealers take care of all the installation, including programming the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.

FCA's winter wheel and tire packages come with the variety of combinations, according to CNet. FCA said that there are over 1,100 combinations available in the packages.

The package offers variety of tire brands including Continental, Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli, Yokohama, and Bridgestone. But there is only one choice of a black steel wheel.

The winter wheel and tire packages offer is limited to several vehicles including the Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and Chrysler 200, along with both AWD and RWD versions of Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Cherokee.

Prices for the winter wheel and tire packages range between $242 and $292 per tire. There will be a separate charge for the installation.

Such package offering from a full line automaker through its parts group and across its entire dealer network is certainly uncommon. The only similar offerings are from Audi and Tesla Motors.

Audi offers Dunlop winter tire that fitted to factory Audi rims as a dealer accessory, with prices range between $2300 and $3300 per set of four tires. While Tesla offers Model S owners a set of 19-inch wheels with Pirelli winter tires through service and sales centers and priced at $2,500 per set.