With winter approaching, wondering how many make the tire change. I have not in the past, but a little research indicates the tire technology has changed much more than my attitude towards them. Unfortunately... much of the information is put out by the tire people. Any one want to weigh in?
Snow Tires?
- Thread starter cychhosis
- Start date
All-season tires are compromise. They still can't make one that lives up to the performance of a real winter tire. That said, they're good enough for most people.
I'm kind of facing this dilemma right now as well. My wife got a new car with low-profile tires. I thought about just replacing the crappy OEM tires but what I've found is for the particular size rims she has most of the tires available are sport tires that are going to suck in winter no matter what. I'm thinking about ordering one of those packages from TireRack where they send you the winter tires already mounted on a steel wheel. I hate to spend the money but hey, your family's safety is important.
I'm kind of facing this dilemma right now as well. My wife got a new car with low-profile tires. I thought about just replacing the crappy OEM tires but what I've found is for the particular size rims she has most of the tires available are sport tires that are going to suck in winter no matter what. I'm thinking about ordering one of those packages from TireRack where they send you the winter tires already mounted on a steel wheel. I hate to spend the money but hey, your family's safety is important.
I have a RWD BMW 3-series. I could have gotten an AWD , but the dealer gave me an extra set of winter tires. Very happy over the past 3 winters - no traction problems to date (eastern Iowa). My previous car was FWD and it slipped all over in the winter. I bought an inexpensive set of rims at Tire Rack, so I change the wheels and tires myself. Otherwise, it costs $100 each time you remount your tires ($200/year).
When I had my Mazda 3, the stock tires were horrendous in snow/ice/slush. Put blizzacks on it and she would go great. My dad has an Infiniti g35 and he runs blizzacks in the winter as well. The only thing that really stops him is really icy conditions and overall accumulation.
I'd definitely get them mounted on steel rims. Don't have to swap them and you could maybe get a smaller rim size from a lower end model to open up more size possibilities
I'd definitely get them mounted on steel rims. Don't have to swap them and you could maybe get a smaller rim size from a lower end model to open up more size possibilities
I love them. I get non-studded winter tires. I can tell a difference in winter driving and wouldn't go without them anymore.
When I have a newer car, I switch between winter and regular tires each year. Once the car is older or my original tires are finished, then I run the snow tires all year.
When I have a newer car, I switch between winter and regular tires each year. Once the car is older or my original tires are finished, then I run the snow tires all year.
Nothing is more important to driving in the winter than tires. I had a car that had 18" "summer only" tires and with one inch of snow it would literally not move a foot. I ended up getting one of the tire/wheel sets from tire rack. They were just black steel rims. After switching to dedicated winter tires it was an animal in the snow.
I remember the first time I drove in the snow with those summer tires. The neighbor hood kids had to push me 4 different times within one block and there was less than 2 inches of snow. I though some previous rwd sports cars I had in the past were bad but this car took it to another level.
I remember the first time I drove in the snow with those summer tires. The neighbor hood kids had to push me 4 different times within one block and there was less than 2 inches of snow. I though some previous rwd sports cars I had in the past were bad but this car took it to another level.
I'm a huge fan of snow tires. They work great. I've used Michelin X-Ice, Dunlop Winter Sport and Bridgestone Blizzak. I don't have any preference, they all performed well and were better than all season. Nothing is more fun that doing controlled all wheel drive drifts in snow tires.