snow tires

[mindset]

Bridgestone Blizzak WS60

Think these will due for the winter? They have two other Blizzaks available for a little more cash.

If you don't run these for winter, what are you running, how do they perform for you and how much did you pay?

Thanks!

Edit: How do I edit the title of this thread? I didn't mean to name it this.

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

Well, I ran stock tires on my Eclipse RS FWD.....They did fine. The tires were nothing special. I can't understand why any "average" tire wouldn't work for you; given you are AWD.......Seriously, don't waste your money, if you are gonna drive your car in the snow just "drive for the conditions". All-weather tires are just fine. I've drove in crazy snow with my standard all weather tires (with good tread), no prob. FWD also. You mostly have to worry about braking and sliding (which your tires will not help you on). Just drive for the conditions. I mean no offense, just stating my experience.

 

[MrBoxx]

There is a night-and-day difference between snow tires and all-season tires. The highest rated traction tire on the market as far as all-season goes is the Goodyear Assurance Tripletred, with an 80k mile pro-rated warranty, and three seperate tread sections comprised of three different rubber compounds. Currently, Goodyear is offering a $40 rebate on a set of these. Can you tell I sell these for a living?

Anywho... the 80k mileage warranty is of note here. That means that to get the tire to last that long, they have to use a fairly hard rubber compound. Rubber gets even harder in cold weather, which doesn't allow for a lot of traction. What you ideally need is a rubber compound that doesn't get hard in the winter. You could say that soft, racing rubber compounds found in UHP tires will work, but if you look at most of those, they don't have a whole lot of siping and biting edges, which is what gives you traction. Combine a lot of siping and biting edges with a soft-in-the-cold rubber, and you get a snow tire.

Blizzak's are usually the top-rated and in my line of work, the most specially-ordered snow tire out there. Another one that I'm partial to is the General Altimax Arctic, which is generally cheaper than the Bridgestones ($78 vs $107 in a 205/55/16 size). It also has a bit cooler looking tread design and a pretty aggressive sipe pattern.

Could you get through an Ohio winter with a set of all-seasons? Sure. Plenty of people do. But would you be better off and safer with a set of snow-tires? Probably. Just don't leave them on once the weather starts getting hotter.

 

[jdbl14]

I use these:

Firestone Winterforce

:mounted on some 16" steelies.

They work great, I'll be on my third winter with them this year, and I think I'll still have 2-3 more at least.

 

[i_nick_2005_i]

Just put it in 4WD......Oh, nevermind. You don't have lock-outs (j/k).

Any, and I mean any, tire..........Will get you around. If you are climbing mountains, I'd get a good studded tire. But if you are driving on the same streets and roads as me, I'd say any old POS tire will work, provided the tread is there. The only major problem in the winter is with SLIDING. So make sure your ABS is good, and you: "Drive for the conditions".........which is really slow

 

[mindset]

There is a night-and-day difference between snow tires and all-season tires. The highest rated traction tire on the market as far as all-season goes is the Goodyear Assurance Tripletred, with an 80k mile pro-rated warranty, and three seperate tread sections comprised of three different rubber compounds. Currently, Goodyear is offering a $40 rebate on a set of these. Can you tell I sell these for a living?

Anywho... the 80k mileage warranty is of note here. That means that to get the tire to last that long, they have to use a fairly hard rubber compound. Rubber gets even harder in cold weather, which doesn't allow for a lot of traction. What you ideally need is a rubber compound that doesn't get hard in the winter. You could say that soft, racing rubber compounds found in UHP tires will work, but if you look at most of those, they don't have a whole lot of siping and biting edges, which is what gives you traction. Combine a lot of siping and biting edges with a soft-in-the-cold rubber, and you get a snow tire.

Blizzak's are usually the top-rated and in my line of work, the most specially-ordered snow tire out there. Another one that I'm partial to is the General Altimax Arctic, which is generally cheaper than the Bridgestones ($78 vs $107 in a 205/55/16 size). It also has a bit cooler looking tread design and a pretty aggressive sipe pattern.

Could you get through an Ohio winter with a set of all-seasons? Sure. Plenty of people do. But would you be better off and safer with a set of snow-tires? Probably. Just don't leave them on once the weather starts getting hotter.

Thank you, thank you. This helps. So do you recommend the Blizzak's I have listed above? Or do you think I should buy the General Altimax Arctic's?

 

[Flash]

I have driven plenty of AWD and RWD Porsche's in the snow with snow tires and plenty without snow tires and there is a HUGE difference. Turns the 911 C4S or Turbo into a snowmobile! I just talked my girlfriend into ordering Blizzak's. It really isn't a waste of money if you look at it as you put the snow tires on in the winter and summer or all-seasons on during the warmer month's.

 

[MrBoxx]

Thank you, thank you. This helps. So do you recommend the Blizzak's I have listed above? Or do you think I should buy the General Altimax Arctic's?

Personally, I prefer the Generals. They're at least $30 cheaper per tire, and at $120 total difference, that's quite a bit. I think they're going to be pretty equal as far as performance to the Blizzaks as well.

Remember to get all four. Don't skimp by just getting two. And do so quickly. Quebec passed a law last year that says all cars MUST have snow tires, so most of North America's snow tire stock goes north of the border. This late in the season, you need to move on the purchase before they're all gone. Last year, in November/December I had people calling me asking for a specific snow tire, and I had to tell them "There are no more of these tires in your size in the country." I gave them a list of the only snow tires in their size that were still available (two different models), and they called back the next day... asking for a totally different snow tire. I'm like "No... you don't get it. You have a choice. This one, or that one. There are NO MORE LEFT."

When people ask "When is a good time to look into buying or ordering snow tires", I say "June." Seriously.

 

[mindset]

Personally, I prefer the Generals. They're at least $30 cheaper per tire, and at $120 total difference, that's quite a bit. I think they're going to be pretty equal as far as performance to the Blizzaks as well.

Remember to get all four. Don't skimp by just getting two. And do so quickly. Quebec passed a law last year that says all cars MUST have snow tires, so most of North America's snow tire stock goes north of the border. This late in the season, you need to move on the purchase before they're all gone. Last year, in November/December I had people calling me asking for a specific snow tire, and I had to tell them "There are no more of these tires in your size in the country." I gave them a list of the only snow tires in their size that were still available (two different models), and they called back the next day... asking for a totally different snow tire. I'm like "No... you don't get it. You have a choice. This one, or that one. There are NO MORE LEFT."

When people ask "When is a good time to look into buying or ordering snow tires, I say "June." Seriously.

haha at first I was like "why the hell would I care about Quebec, I live in Ohio"... then I read more, I'll be getting some tomorrow possibly. And I'll buy the Generals if that's what you recommend. I could see the Blizzaks going out of stock before the Generals so I should be fine. Thanks again for your help MrBoxx.

 

[AWD92TalonTSi]

I drove a Miata last year w/ the older model WS-50's. I had no problem. Also had WS-50's on a mazdaspeed protege again, I was able to make it up a friends steep unplowed driveway with no issue.

Keep in mind that AWD does nothing to help you break, and only a little bit to help you turn in the snow. When I drove my talon in the snow w/ all seasons the only real benefit I found was I didn't get stuck.

I'd say any snow tire is better than a high rated all season.

Bryan

 

[blackGSX2g]

I ran ws-50s when I drove my car in the winter. Huge difference. I was able to pull a 2wd Ranger out of a ditch with those tires on in the middle of a blizzard. Pretty much a must have for me since Michigan isn't the best at plowing roads.

 

[viprez586]

I've heard the Nokian Hakkapeliitta are amazing. A lot of EVO guys run them and can actually launch in the snow.

I ran yokohama avid H4S last winter - it wasn't terrible, but certainly nothing to jump up and down about.

This season I'm going to run some Dunlop Graspic DS3s. It should be interesting to see the improved snow traction considering I got them from an IS300 owner who said they were really good.

 

[knochgoon24]

Well, for the last 2 winters, I used a set of Continential ContiExtremeContacts. They're an all season M+S tire, but they have a very aggressive tread pattern. In my opinion, the sidewall is a little too soft for using them for spirited driving in the summer, but they work great on an AWD car in the winter. They had great hydroplaning resistance whenever the snow melted and there were huge puddles along the roads.

Now I'm running a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M2. I bought these barely used off a guy this summer. They discontinued this model and now sell a Winter Sport 3D.

Oh, and I lived in Erie, PA for the last 2 years. Those all seasons never left me stuck and I don't even have an LSD rear end. We had 145" total snowfall last year.

I was going to go with the General Altimax Arctics this year until those Winter Sports fell into my lap, barely used for $100.

 

[greengoblin]

I have driven on Blizzaks, Michilen X-ice, Pirelli Scorpion Ice and currently Contiental ExtremeWinter Contact.

Blizzaks W60 where very good on Ice . On snow they where good. In Slush and deep water they where very scary. Also very squiry and poor tun in response . Even worse when it starts to warm up out.

Michilen X-ice
I thought did every thing the blizzaks could do but better. Slush they did very well in. Turn in was better and they where better behaes when thing warmed up.

Pirelli Scorpion Ice

It gives up a little in ice traction but has the better turn in response and I thought it felt beter on snow.
Vey welll behaved in when thing warm up and the best in slosh and water out of the bunch

Contiental ExtremeWinter Contact.

I just picked these up for this year. So far they are the best warm weather tires I have been on ith very good turn in response. I can't give water/slush or ice info. as I have not yet had to the chance to drive them in these conditions. I'll post back when I do.

 

[AWD92TalonTSi]

I have driven on Blizzaks, Michilen X-ice, Pirelli Scorpion Ice and currently Contiental ExtremeWinter Contact.

Blizzaks W60 where very good on Ice . On snow they where good. In Slush and deep water they where very scary. Also very squiry and poor tun in response . Even worse when it starts to warm up out.

Michilen X-ice
I thought did every thing the blizzaks could do but better. Slush they did very well in. Turn in was better and they where better behaes when thing warmed up.

Pirelli Scorpion Ice

It gives up a little in ice traction but has the better turn in response and I thought it felt beter on snow.
Vey welll behaved in when thing warm up and the best in slosh and water out of the bunch

Contiental ExtremeWinter Contact.

I just picked these up for this year. So far they are the best warm weather tires I have been on ith very good turn in response. I can't give water/slush or ice info. as I have not yet had to the chance to drive them in these conditions. I'll post back when I do.

I don't recall any issues with the slush/deep water issues with the WS50s. I will agree that they're a no frills snow tire; turn ins and general performance tire characteristics are pretty minimal with them.

 

[greengoblin]

I don't recall any issues with the slush/deep water issues with the WS50s. I will agree that they're a no frills snow tire; turn ins and general performance tire characteristics are pretty minimal with them.

I drove though the blue mountains during a freezing rain slush storm and I thought I was going to die. No relly it was that bad. I aslo had a few other highway esp. in rain and it was not very fun. Managabl but not what I thought a tire like this should prefore. I should point ot that Idaho highways have ruts that turn into ditches when it rains. Just what I EXP. take it for what it's worth. I will not own another set since there are much butter snow tires out there . IMO

Kevin

 

[knochgoon24]

One thing many people don't seem to realize, is just how much more important proper alignment is during winter that in dry weather. You have less traction, so the effects of poor alignment are more prominent. I had my car aligned in the middle of January last year, after some suspension work. The difference was night and day. I'm not sure where my alignment sheet went, but my car was pretty out of wack. It was fine in dry weather, but once the snow got on the roads, it got squirrely quick. The alignment fixed that right up.

 

[KGB Pilot125]

Consumer reports just came out and the General Artic placed second behind michelin the blizzak was 6th or 8th I cant remember. the Nokian's were 4th but were even more $'s than the michelin's which is pretty amazing. A winter tire is absolutely amazing in weather below 45 degrees above that and the all season will out perform it in every category. but wrap your mind around this at 55 mph a winter tire will out stop an all season by over a thousand feet in less then 1 inch of snow!

 

[greengoblin]

Consumer reports just came out and the General Artic placed second behind michelin the blizzak was 6th or 8th I cant remember. the Nokian's were 4th but were even more $'s than the michelin's which is pretty amazing. A winter tire is absolutely amazing in weather below 45 degrees above that and the all season will out perform it in every category. but wrap your mind around this at 55 mph a winter tire will out stop an all season by over a thousand feet in less then 1 inch of snow!

It really us a night and day difference. Once youget winter tires you want go back. I love them. 4WD may get you going but stopping is still a bi*** and this is where winter tires shine. IMO.

 

[Hubbard 0]

I had Yokohoma Ice Guards and even when they were just above the wear marks they were very impressive. I was able to back out of my driveway with over 4" of snow in it on these tires and my car is lowered over 2".

Also note, for those that don't have ABS. Snow tires, when locked up do a fantastic job of slowing you down. I'd even go as far to say that locking the tires up to slow down is better then modulating the brakes or having ABS do the work.

 

[endeffect0]

Snow tires are a must!! I had the Blizzaks last year and I friggin' loved them. Yea turn in was a bit sloppy and they were no fun on the dry... but when if it was snowing you knew i would be out driving some where just for the hell of it. I actually took up rally cross this year because of how much fun i had last winter.

I even pulled my friends jeep out of a ditch with my turbo sports car on snow tires. His all seasons and open rear dif lost out to the snow tires and rear lsd.

*I wrote a review for that tire on tire-rack's website. Ill be the only one under Eagle... its a more comprehensive review than what i posted here.

I liked them so much I bought a set for my girlfriend's turbo escort for this winter... it may have a rally heritage but its the snow tires keeping her safe.


I bought a set of Firestone's this year just for something different I played with them a little when we had that really early snow in norther pa. seemed to fair pretty well but I haven't fallen in love with them yet. and they are really squishy on the dry.. so much so that I am worried about tire life. i have about 7k on them since the start of oct.

 

[KGB Pilot125]

New review came out on the Nokians

Nokian Studded Tire Tops Euro Mag Tests
November 20, 2009
Email
Print
Comment
Bookmark this website

Nokian Tyres claims its Hakkapeliitta 7 studded winter tire was successful in recent comparison tests conducted by European car magazines.

The tire achieved test victories in publications from Finland, Sweden and Russia. Nokian said.

"The more challenging the driving conditions get, the more supreme the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 becomes," said Teppo Huovila, Nokian's vice president of research and development.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 was named the best studded tire in the winter tire tests conducted by the magazines Tekniikan Maailma (shared first place) and Tuulilasi.

According to Tekniikan Maailma, "The Nokian novelty defines a whole new level for winter tire grip to aim for. Especially on ice, the tire has amazing grip and makes other studded tires feel almost like friction tires. Also on snow, the Nokian took first place regarding both grip and driving response."

"There is sufficient grip, even if the car starts slipping a little. You don't have to be too precise with the gas pedal and the steering wheel; the tire allows a different driving style without compromising speed or handling," Tuulilasi wrote.

 

[endeffect0]

Finally got a chance to really drive those Firestone i mentioned earlier good and hard in the snow.

Its hard to compare directly to the blizacks of last year partially because of time but mostly because this was a weird slushy snow.

Any way I was impressed for sure. They grip very well and amazing given the price.

They definitely seem to 'Clear' more than the blizacks shooting snow out the sides of the car like water spray. they also threw a ton of snow up into the wheel wells! It was a constant barrage, something the previous tires never seemed to do. this is probably due to the extra deep and chunky tread design. the snow throwing was not a negative because the car felt well planted. Feed back in the snow was pretty good, you could feel changes in consistency when you transferred to wetter or areas that had been plowed an inch ago. Great strait line traction, they really bite down. In the corners it seemed predicable but much more reluctant to send the back end out, these tires tended toward understeer more than the blizacks which is a good thing if your not trying to have fun. It took more thorttel and more speed and harder initiation to do the same little 'circuit' i had last winter.

like i said weird snow conditions make it hard to compare but either way great tire for the $. I was very impressed with grip.


*It seemed to feel like it really dug down to the asphalt in all situations.. where the blizzack always felt like it was on the snow. dont take that the wrong way though, the blizzack has amazing traction on top of the snow.. but a different feel. I think i prefer the blizzack for the fun and progressive traction when sliding at this point, but not at the price.

 

[knochgoon24]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Those half-worn Dunlop Wintersport M2 tires seem to be working quite well.

These things were great. Very predictable on when they'd let loose. If these were new tires, I feel that they'd be very very good, but these are worn down to about 6 or 7/32. After doing some donuts in the snow, I could actually smell hot rubber because they were clearing the snow out from under them so well when spun. The tread pattern does a great job of cleaning itself.

AWD snownuts FTW!

My friend shot some decent videos of some axis donuts.

(At least Circuit City is/was good for something.)

 

[Oldsid]

I've heard the Nokian Hakkapeliitta are amazing. A lot of EVO guys run them and can actually launch in the snow.

I have Nokians too but the WR "all weather " tires (the Nokian Hakkapeliitta is snow tire). These "all-weather" tires are rated snow tires (snow flake symbol) and they are very good in the winter and all year round. There is a new WR2 which is a newer version that I had put on my wife's minivan and they also a great in the snow/ice condition we have here up north. My WR XL's are V rated and can be used all year long without any exessive wear. I bought them three years ago and there is almost no thread wear on them (about 35000km) and never had to worry about when to put them or remove them. I would recommned them to any one living in an area where impredictable weather is a problem.