Snow tires?

[magicmike]

Did some searching but came up empty.

Do you use em? What do you have?

I have a set of extra wheels and I thought I'd look into a set since I'm getting almost no grip from my all seasons this winter

[kleinkid]

I have had mounted Michelin Arctic Alpin, stock size on 15" wheels, for six years now, for my '91 SS. Usually put them on end of November, take them off beginning of March. Work great. Car is a tank in the snow.

[AWD_addict]

+1 for Arctic Alpin's. Those have saved my car multiple times, most memorably when a semi truck cut me off on the highway and full braking was needed in snow. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4's are also good.

[mike-tracy]

I have Blizzak REV01's, and those are hands down the best snows I've ever used. I hear they are discontinued, but the Blizzak WS60's always get good feedback.

[beanis05]

Its hard to get the back end to slide with the winter tires!!!!

[beatersubi]

I've driven past lifted (domestic) 4X4s on my blizzak WS-50s. In my stock-height wagon, no less. I love 'em, but they're no longer available. I can't imagine that their replacement, the WS-60, is any worse though.

[Legacy777]

I've heard very good things about the Blizzak's as well. I ran Yoko Guardex's when I was in PA, and they were very good as well. Saved my butt on ice on one occasion.

[magicmike]

I cant recall ever having this much snow in a winter before... I havent gotten stuck but the all seasons are really sucking this year for some reason. Usually the snow is not a problem with the all seasons but the car is somehow all over the place this winter.

[evolutionmovement]

The Mazda's actually getting by acceptably with performance all-seasons, but I'll be getting a set of snows for the next car.

[race_to_live]

go for the firestone winterforce tires. i have them on my stock 15s. they are great on the snow. but they do SUCK in the dry, that is if you like to roll corners fast.
The tires are also REALLY good for rallyX too

[Binford]

go for the firestone winterforce tires. i have them on my stock 15s. they are great on the snow. but they do SUCK in the dry, that is if you like to roll corners fast.
The tires are also REALLY good for rallyX too

+1! Cheap too!

[Aerotech]

Just an opinion, but All-season tires simply suck at everything.

I got a set of these Hankooks in 14" Icepike 409, or something like that
Hakka knock-off tread pattern


Quiet on dry pavement with decent handling, and absolutely unstoppable in snow.
Got me out of 18" unplowed fresh for about 1/4 mile before I got to a plowed section... I raised the suspension and drove right out. Everyone else was shoveling for hours.

[Bheinen74]

Nokian Hakka4

[93Leg-c]

I cant recall ever having this much snow in a winter before... I havent gotten stuck but the all seasons are really sucking this year for some reason. Usually the snow is not a problem with the all seasons but the car is somehow all over the place this winter.

Mike, how many seasons have you used your all-seasons? Or, how much tread depth is remaining? I haven't been in snow country for many years but I recall reading an article that said all-seasons tires with full tread can be acceptable for use in winter conditions but once they get to 2/3 or less tread depth, then you'll start running into traction issues. But one can run snow or winter tires with just under 1/2 tread depth left and get better traction that all-seasons with 2/3 tread left.

The above is a generality but I think the principles are still sound. Especially considering winter tires are compounded for the cold while all-seasons tires are not. The more all-season tires wear down, the rubber usually becomes harder and less effective for winter driving.

You probably need a new set of all-season tires for adequate performance in the snow or snow tires for even better performance.

[Bheinen74]

I cant recall ever having this much snow in a winter before... I havent gotten stuck but the all seasons are really sucking this year for some reason. Usually the snow is not a problem with the all seasons but the car is somehow all over the place this winter.

Mike, how many seasons have you used your all-seasons? Or, how much tread depth is remaining? I haven't been in snow country for many years but I recall reading an article that said all-seasons tires with full tread can be acceptable for use in winter conditions but once they get to 2/3 or less tread depth, then you'll start running into traction issues. But one can run snow or winter tires with just under 1/2 tread depth left and get better traction that all-seasons with 2/3 tread left.

The above is a generality but I think the principles are still sound. Especially considering winter tires are compounded for the cold while all-seasons tires are not. The more all-season tires wear down, the rubber usually becomes harder and less effective for winter driving.

You probably need a new set of all-season tires for adequate performance in the snow or snow tires for even better performance.

your quotation is directly related to what is the FACT for Blizzacks. The outer compound on Blizzacks are soft and pliable, but once wore down about 12-15k miles, its hard rubber and they are no good. Biiizacks test good when new, but test like hockey pucks after 2 years use. Thats why, you see lots of used Blizzacks for sale saying used 2 years, lots tread left. Well the tread left is not useable for snow and ice. Just saying.

Now, the other brands, for instance, Nokian, Pirelli, Michelin, those treads are good for many year, basically til the tread is worn out completely, the whole compound is soft. Those tires test good even after 30k miles a point where Blizzacks have long ago failed in snow and ice.

[93Leg-c]

Bheinen74, thanks for those details! Accurate knowledge about things definitely is an advantage!