The Winter Tire thread- all winter tire questions go here !!!

[90crxfreak]

Originally Posted by Devilsmed98

Just spoke to Luke @ Tirerack and ordered a set of Blizzak WS70's 205/60/16's on some steel rims said they should be coming in Wed/Thursday. A little late on the purchase now that they are saying we might get some slush tomorrow in Jersey.

right there with you... ordered the LM-60's 225/45/17 to go on the stockies until i get new wheels, but stuck in the slush tomorrow with the summers. new tires should be on by friday

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[Afrobandit]

Originally Posted by von Wachtstain

Are your tires studded?

no, blizzaks WS-something

[ManualOverAuto]

OH MY......


I've never felt so unstable while driving. Even though the snow wasn't laying this morning, my summer tires felt like ****.

Back up in the 50's to low 60's later this week though :/

[katherinelee]

Any advice would be appreciated.

Firstly, I am a poor grad student, slumming it in a 2006 Ford Taurus. However, someday I will own a Forester or Outback. I swear.

Year: 2006
Make: Ford
Model: Taurus SEL Sedan
Stock tire size(according to a website): P215/60R16
Location: Eastern central Iowa
Want: A winter tire package, around $600-900 total, including steel rims.

Driving habits: Aggressive driving. I put on 70 miles a day commuting. 56 of that is interstate driving, 14 of that is city street driving.

I want to maintain fast speeds on dry, cold days on the interstate (70-80mph weather permitting), but still get some extra traction during icy conditions compared to my all season tires.

I spent the first 21 years of my life in central Minnesota driving a Taurus on rural snow covered roads. Thus, I can handle snowy conditions but since I put so many miles on a day in Iowa, I want some more protection and confidence with my tires. I do not want to replace these tires after one season though (maybe after 2?) so I am wary of true-studless tires and the fast tread wear.

Do you guys recommend a Winter performance tire? I keep seeing Dunlop Winter Sport, but TireRack does not have it in my size. A nearby Sam's Club can special order it for my size at about $600 for a set (but no rims). Or can I go with a different size? Or an entirely different tire?

Thank you!

[Devilsmed98]

Originally Posted by 90crxfreak

right there with you... ordered the LM-60's 225/45/17 to go on the stockies until i get new wheels, but stuck in the slush tomorrow with the summers. new tires should be on by friday

Ordered mine at around 1pm Est Yesterday and checked the tracking I received last night and they are out for delivery as of 5am this morning!!! Gonna be rolling them into the garage when its slushy out later after work.

Don't think I'll be able to put them on until after this weekend though Looks like the temps are going to be anywhere from 50-60* in NJ

[subimp6u08]

I have stock 05 BBS wheels with 225/45/17,
I was thinking about getting new blizzak lm 60 225/45/17 because I drive a lot of highway miles, but I found a good deal on used general altimax 215/45/17 (1/2 price of blizzak with 80% tread left). Would it be better to go with blizzak or save money and go with altimax?

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted by katherinelee

Any advice would be appreciated.

Firstly, I am a poor grad student, slumming it in a 2006 Ford Taurus. However, someday I will own a Forester or Outback. I swear.
..........................................
Want: A winter tire package, around $600-900 total, including steel rims.

Driving habits: Aggressive driving. I put on 70 miles a day commuting. 56 of that is interstate driving, 14 of that is city street driving.

I want to maintain fast speeds on dry, cold days on the interstate (70-80mph weather permitting), but still get some extra traction during icy conditions compared to my all season tires.

.................................................. ......................

Do you guys recommend a Winter performance tire? I keep seeing Dunlop Winter Sport, but TireRack does not have it in my size. A nearby Sam's Club can special order it for my size at about $600 for a set (but no rims). Or can I go with a different size? Or an entirely different tire?

Thank you!

Yes, a winter performance tire would suit your conditions. The Dunlop 3D is a good choice. Other good choices are available from Michelin, Pirelli, Continental, and Hankook. Do a search of performance winters at Tirerack for your specific car, and you will get a recommendation for alternate sizes.

[sreggie101]

Originally Posted by subimp6u08

I have stock 05 BBS wheels with 225/45/17,
I was thinking about getting new blizzak lm 60 225/45/17 because I drive a lot of highway miles, but I found a good deal on used general altimax 215/45/17 (1/2 price of blizzak with 80% tread left). Would it be better to go with blizzak or save money and go with altimax?

same boat as you and would like an opinion on this as well. im leaning on the blizzaks (same size as stated above). i figure performance snow tires are going to fare better for everyday/highway driving than studdable snow tires...

[trev762]

Originally Posted by sreggie101

same boat as you and would like an opinion on this as well. im leaning on the blizzaks (same size as stated above). i figure performance snow tires are going to fare better for everyday/highway driving than studdable snow tires...

I'm on my second winter with the blizzak lm-60 225/45/17 and they work great on my11 sti. Although they r H speed rated when put at 32lbs they do not work well at highway speeds. If anybody considers buying them for highway use I would have them minimal at 36lbs up front and 35ilbs in the rear.

There is also the new blizzak lm-32 plus the Dunlop 3d and 4d which have a V speed rating but might sacrifice some traction in poor conditions.

[90crxfreak]

Originally Posted by Devilsmed98

Ordered mine at around 1pm Est Yesterday and checked the tracking I received last night and they are out for delivery as of 5am this morning!!! Gonna be rolling them into the garage when its slushy out later after work.

Don't think I'll be able to put them on until after this weekend though Looks like the temps are going to be anywhere from 50-60* in NJ

yea, they just arrived at 7:15 talk about fast shipping....

[guitarman19853]

First impressions of the General Altimax Arctic - 235/45R17 on stock 2012 WRX wheels: They're too soft. The car floats around and you can feel the tread and sidewalls moving in everyday driving (not even pushing it). I also feel like the flat tread block pattern pulls the car in the direction of the road surface.

I'm sure they're great in the snow. And I'm not going to get rid of them. But the next snow tire I get will probably be a performance winter tire.

[boilermaker29]

Well dugh, that's the general consensus on Altimax Arctics. They're cheap but squirmy. I hear the Xice is less squirmy (if you want to stay in the standard snow tire category), but nobody ever publishes dry performance data on winter tires so we'll see if anyone on here can provide firsthand experience how they compare.

[ManualOverAuto]

Originally Posted by boilermaker29

Well dugh, that's the general consensus on Altimax Arctics. They're cheap but squirmy. I hear the Xice is less squirmy (if you want to stay in the standard snow tire category), but nobody ever publishes dry performance data on winter tires so we'll see if anyone on here can provide firsthand experience how they compare.

I have the xi3's sitting in my room, and if PA ever stops getting days in the high 50's / low 60's ill put them on.

When I do, I'll be sure to comment on how they are.

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by boilermaker29

Well dugh, that's the general consensus on Altimax Arctics. They're cheap but squirmy. I hear the Xice is less squirmy (if you want to stay in the standard snow tire category), but nobody ever publishes dry performance data on winter tires so we'll see if anyone on here can provide firsthand experience how they compare.

Tirerack has 'dry data' for winter tires from their surveys.

I have about 800 miles on the X-Ice's now and they feel just fine in dry conditions taking into consideration they aren't a max performance summer tire so I don't treat them like one. Regular driving though, they feel great to me. (RCE/Bilstein/Yellows on the car, no other suspension mods).

[JtheAve]

Year: 2004
Make: Subaru
Model: Impreza STI
Tire Size: 17" x 7.5" (225/45R17) BBS Rims
Location: Moving to Germany this winter!

Hi Luke & Co.

Just looking for your expert advice...

I will be moving with my STI to Germany this winter, I have a set of 4 17" BBS rims that I am going to use as my winter wheels but I cannot make up my mind on the choice of the tires... I still want to be able to drive my STI like an STI in the winter, but dont want to feel like im driving a Jeep Wrangler down the dry roads either...

Bridgestone Blizzak or Pirelli SottoZero?

[Swpsti2013]

Make and Model: 2013 sti

Just got a question, I plan on going with the bbs 17 inch rims that came with the GD sti. I was wondering what would be the best tire size to use and that would minimize the difference between actual speed and what was registered on the speedo?

[gsrcrxsi]

Originally Posted by Swpsti2013

Make and Model: 2013 sti

Just got a question, I plan on going with the bbs 17 inch rims that came with the GD sti. I was wondering what would be the best tire size to use and that would minimize the difference between actual speed and what was registered on the speedo?

Stock tire size is 245/40/18

in a 17" size, and since it'll be for winter, going a bit narrow would be helpful.
id go for a 225/50/17. its the closest size to your original size.

[gsrcrxsi]

Originally Posted by guitarman19853

First impressions of the General Altimax Arctic - 235/45R17 on stock 2012 WRX wheels: They're too soft. The car floats around and you can feel the tread and sidewalls moving in everyday driving (not even pushing it). I also feel like the flat tread block pattern pulls the car in the direction of the road surface.

I'm sure they're great in the snow. And I'm not going to get rid of them. But the next snow tire I get will probably be a performance winter tire.

its a winter tire, not a summer tire. treat it as such.

i have the Altimax Arctics on my WRX in 215/65/15. loads more squishy sidewall than you have. i think the tire actually performs quite well even in the dry. the squirmy feel is going to be inevitable with a softer sidewall and a tread depth of 12/32" (most summer tires only have 10/32 new)

the softness is actually welcomed, potholes from plows will be less harsh, and better snow traction.

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted by JtheAve

............I will be moving with my STI to Germany this winter, I have a set of 4 17" BBS rims that I am going to use as my winter wheels but I cannot make up my mind on the choice of the tires... .........

Buy your tires in Germany. The Continental TS850 would be my top choice.

[krzyss]

You can check prices here:

http://www.tires-easy.com/index.html

This is German company doing business in the USA. Go to the bottom and select UK or generic Europe or any other language that you know.

You may find that you prefer older designs available in the USA when you see the European prices.

Krzys

[dsn112]

Originally Posted by guitarman19853

First impressions of the General Altimax Arctic - 235/45R17 on stock 2012 WRX wheels: They're too soft. The car floats around and you can feel the tread and sidewalls moving in everyday driving (not even pushing it). I also feel like the flat tread block pattern pulls the car in the direction of the road surface.

I'm sure they're great in the snow. And I'm not going to get rid of them. But the next snow tire I get will probably be a performance winter tire.

I got the Dunlop Wintersport 3D and I almost feel like they are the same as my summers. I know they aren't but even when pushed hard, they are pretty stable.

[mrkyle3]

Originally Posted by dsn112

I got the Dunlop Wintersport 3D and I almost feel like they are the same as my summers. I know they aren't but even when pushed hard, they are pretty stable.

I have them as well. They are definitely better than total winter tires but aren't anything like my summer tires.

Just had our first snow a couple days ago and they performed amazingly well

[gravitylover]

Yeah I had the Wintersport 3D on my Volvo C30 and that car would go anywhere and through any kind of snow. They were fantastic on dry roads and were quiet enough. I got about 30k out of them too!

[Jdub.csu]

The winter sports 3D handle a lot like summers but they wear fast when you do that. I love them so far

[09WRXHATCH]

Originally Posted by Ghostwhite

I also have General Altimax artic 225/45/17 on my 12 Sti and they have been awesome here in North Dakota. First full season with the car so no direct comparison to other brands but I am almost a little disappointed that they don't slide a little more as I like to get loose in certain situations in the winter.

I will be picking up my new Sti in a week or 2 and need to make an important decision. For my 09 WRX I have these same general tires...LOVE THEM!! however Hurricane Sandy must not have liked my car at all as she left it totally submberged in salt water. Anyway the Sti comes with 18" rims and I must make the decision of buying 17" rims to fit my existing set of winter tires(and TPM's or does everybody drive around with the light on all winter??) or sell them(a pain in the ass) and buy a set of new 18" winter tires.

It is my understanding that the 17" rims are better in the snow. If that is incorrect please let me know!

If i stick with the tires I have and buy rims, how does that affect the speedomoter and overall drivetrain to drive on different size tires/rims. Is this tire size(225/45-17 the correct sizing for (down)sizing?

I know that was a lot, but I trust in all of your expertise!