what tires for the northwest

[blueribbon]

I agree with all the Blizzak's comments!

I had them on my is250 (rwd) and they performed very well. Went up a hill without much issues and traction was great.

Mike

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[jdreisinger]

Sorry to thread hijack a little bit, but I figure this is probably better than starting a new thread.

For those of you who got your WRX/STi's with stock summer tires, how well did they fare up here? I had all seasons on my 2.5i that were amazing through as much snow as I could find between here and Pullman, but my new WRX has the summers. My between car was a 2010 Golf (FWD) with all seasons that was absolutely USELESS in the snow here, couldn't get out of my driveway when the snow hit last winter. I'm trying to decide if I need to start saving up to pick up a set of steelies with winter tires.

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by jdreisinger

Sorry to thread hijack a little bit, but I figure this is probably better than starting a new thread.

For those of you who got your WRX/STi's with stock summer tires, how well did they fare up here? I had all seasons on my 2.5i that were amazing through as much snow as I could find between here and Pullman, but my new WRX has the summers. My between car was a 2010 Golf (FWD) with all seasons that was absolutely USELESS in the snow here, couldn't get out of my driveway when the snow hit last winter. I'm trying to decide if I need to start saving up to pick up a set of steelies with winter tires.

I assume you are a coug?

[jdreisinger]

Originally Posted by kpet3

I assume you are a coug?

You assume correctly, although a graduated one with a job now, so I can haz new better car

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by jdreisinger

You assume correctly, although a graduated one with a job now, so I can haz new better car

That makes 2 of us. Graduated, got a job and got my rex not to long after. You a sedan? Also I have been doing some research in terms of tires and I think I am going to pull the trigger with the DWS's. I think they will work for how I drive and what I will be using them for. DD with a few ski trips.

[jdreisinger]

Yup, I got the sedan. I got season tickets for that awful football team of ours but I think the only other game I'll be going to is Apple Cup, so it will depend for me on the snow on that trip. I don't go up to the mountains so I will only be caring about the snow that hits downtown Seattle.

I'm not thinking it will be all that necessary to get a fully dedicated winter set, but then again I haven't seen how these summer performance tires can even handle wet roads yet. I've only had the car for about a month.

[WRX Shadow]

I think what tire you get depends on how many times you plan to go skiing/boarding and how much time will be spent in snow vs just rain. Myself, I don't hit the mountain as much as others and knew most of my driving would be on wet pavement so I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS and I love them. I have them as a dedicated winter set while using my stock summer tires during the spring-early fall. The ExtremeContacts are great in the cold rain and worked well in snow for me too. However if you are planning to be at the mountains a lot then you might want to consider snow tires rather than all weathers.

[Flowmastered87GL]

I have Bridgestone Ecopias for the summer (not the best grip, I bought em for the mileage as I drive my Baja 50-60 miles a day) I run Blizzaks in the winter (I forget the variety, WS-50 or 60 maybe????) Love my blizzaks. (they may even be a better summer tire than my ecopias as far as handling goes )

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by WRX Shadow

I think what tire you get depends on how many times you plan to go skiing/boarding and how much time will be spent in snow vs just rain. Myself, I don't hit the mountain as much as others and knew most of my driving would be on wet pavement so I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS and I love them. I have them as a dedicated winter set while using my stock summer tires during the spring-early fall. The ExtremeContacts are great in the cold rain and worked well in snow for me too. However if you are planning to be at the mountains a lot then you might want to consider snow tires rather than all weathers.

I was thinking about getting those conti extremecontact DWS for all year not just the winter. Can you tell that big of a difference from your stock that you switch?

[imac6471]

Originally Posted by WRX Shadow

I think what tire you get depends on how many times you plan to go skiing/boarding and how much time will be spent in snow vs just rain. Myself, I don't hit the mountain as much as others and knew most of my driving would be on wet pavement so I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS and I love them. I have them as a dedicated winter set while using my stock summer tires during the spring-early fall. The ExtremeContacts are great in the cold rain and worked well in snow for me too. However if you are planning to be at the mountains a lot then you might want to consider snow tires rather than all weathers.

I have the extreme contacts on my car, do you experience flat spots in them after the car sits for a while, like even just overnight? If its cold its a little worse, slightly bumpy ride for the first couple miles.

[RobSTI06]

All season Proxes 4's have done me well.

[PDWRX]

Originally Posted by WRX Shadow

I think what tire you get depends on how many times you plan to go skiing/boarding and how much time will be spent in snow vs just rain. Myself, I don't hit the mountain as much as others and knew most of my driving would be on wet pavement so I went with the Conti ExtremeContact DWS and I love them. I have them as a dedicated winter set while using my stock summer tires during the spring-early fall. The ExtremeContacts are great in the cold rain and worked well in snow for me too. However if you are planning to be at the mountains a lot then you might want to consider snow tires rather than all weathers.

I can vouch for these tires, they're great all around tires for the Northwest. They feel much more solid and controlled in wet/snow conditions than the stock tires.

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by RobSTI06

All season Proxes 4's have done me well.

Can you compare them to the conti DWS? Wondering how the traction is different since I have heard so many people say the sidewall is soft?

[WRX Shadow]

Originally Posted by kpet3

I was thinking about getting those conti extremecontact DWS for all year not just the winter. Can you tell that big of a difference from your stock that you switch?

Yes! They are much better when it is cold and wet. I can't even imagine trying my summers in the snow. I've just heard horror stories from people. These tires give you much more confidence when driving in the rain, cold, and snow. I was very easily cruising up to Timberline for boarding. They are however all seasons, so they obviously aren't as good on dry warm pavement as the summer performance tires.

Originally Posted by imac6471

I have the extreme contacts on my car, do you experience flat spots in them after the car sits for a while, like even just overnight? If its cold its a little worse, slightly bumpy ride for the first couple miles.

Hmm I didn't seem to notice that but I will make sure to be extra attentive once I have them put back on. However, I have a garage so my car has probably spent a total of 2 weeks parked outside overnight so that may be what differs between us. It could be possible since they are a softer compound than the summers. Also did you make check your tire pressure regularly because if they were low that could contribute.

Originally Posted by PDWRX

I can vouch for these tires, they're great all around tires for the Northwest. They feel much more solid and controlled in wet/snow conditions than the stock tires.

Yep I read a lot about them and they have definitely impressed me so far. Hoping they have good life and continue to be good.

[boostdsuby8]

Rubber.

[AlpineE30M52]

Round.

[AlpineE30M52]

Black.

[imac6471]

Originally Posted by WRX Shadow

Hmm I didn't seem to notice that but I will make sure to be extra attentive once I have them put back on. However, I have a garage so my car has probably spent a total of 2 weeks parked outside overnight so that may be what differs between us. It could be possible since they are a softer compound than the summers. Also did you make check your tire pressure regularly because if they were low that could contribute.

That was the first thing i checked, im golden there. I was just wondering if you had the same experience. Im looking forward to seein how they handle in the snow

[Amnizu]

I have not experienced flat spotting on my DWS. Now, on my Toyo R888 R compounds, yeah they flat spot like a civ.

Before you buy anything please be sure you understand what the M+S or Snowflake rating on a tire mean. In short, unless you're always driving in heavy snow a significant portion of the winter you pretty much do not need a dedicated snow tires on an AWD car.

Wiki does a pretty good job of it:
[url]

Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also the state CAN and DOES mandate traction tires at times as well as chains. Both M+S and Snowflake rated tires are considered traction tires. Having tires with a snowflake or a M+S rating and AWD DOES remove the chains requirement if deemed necessary by the DOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/tiresidewall.htm

WSP Requirements:

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/traction.htm

Edit, I misread:

Either M+S or Snowflake tires and AWD exempt you from the chains requirement:

"I have an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. When "Chains Required" signs are posted, do I have to use chains?
No. All-wheel drive vehicles are exempt from chain requirements when all wheels are in gear and are equipped with approved traction devices, provided that tire chains for at least one set of drive tires are carried in the vehicle. See WAC 204-24-050."

So, in short. You don't even need snowflake rated snow tires to avoid the chain requirement on an AWD car. Just M+S. My 2 cents, save your money and get a good all season M+S tire like the DWS. You just have to have a set of chains in your car.

[geddesk2]

I'm using my stock dunlops in the summer, and hankook I-pikes on smaller rims for the winter.

I-pikes are like 400 shipped through discounttiredirect. They are pretty soft but do a great job in the snow.

Will probably try something else once they are done.

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by Amnizu

I have not experienced flat spotting on my DWS. Now, on my Toyo R888 R compounds, yeah they flat spot like a civ.

Before you buy anything please be sure you understand what the M+S or Snowflake rating on a tire mean. In short, unless you're always driving in heavy snow a significant portion of the winter you pretty much do not need a dedicated snow tires on an AWD car.

Wiki does a pretty good job of it:
[url]Tire code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also the state CAN and DOES mandate traction tires at times as well as chains. Both M+S and Snowflake rated tires are considered traction tires. Having tires with a snowflake or a M+S rating and AWD DOES remove the chains requirement if deemed necessary by the DOT:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/tiresidewall.htm

WSP Requirements:

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/traction.htm

Edit, I misread:

Either M+S or Snowflake tires and AWD exempt you from the chains requirement:

"I have an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle. When "Chains Required" signs are posted, do I have to use chains?
No. All-wheel drive vehicles are exempt from chain requirements when all wheels are in gear and are equipped with approved traction devices, provided that tire chains for at least one set of drive tires are carried in the vehicle. See WAC 204-24-050."

So, in short. You don't even need snowflake rated snow tires to avoid the chain requirement on an AWD car. Just M+S. My 2 cents, save your money and get a good all season M+S tire like the DWS. You just have to have a set of chains in your car.

Thanks for the info that was really helpful.

[Subie_Noob_Brian]

I'm using general as03's all seasons. Basically the same as the continentals just with a stiffer sidewall as far as ratings and specs. They are about all I need for some fun summer driving and are the best Ives even have in the rain. You cut right through any size puddle of water.

In the winter I'm running skinny general altimax studable winter tires.

[kpet3]

Originally Posted by Subie_Noob_Brian

I'm using general as03's all seasons. Basically the same as the continentals just with a stiffer sidewall as far as ratings and specs. They are about all I need for some fun summer driving and are the best Ives even have in the rain. You cut right through any size puddle of water.

In the winter I'm running skinny general altimax studable winter tires.

Have you ever used the generals in the snow? I am trying to run my AS all year round.

[Whoracle]

I have Pirelli PZero Nero's on stock wheels and Blizzaks on Rotas. I went up to the resorts (Mt hood, Crystal and snoqualmie) about 20-25 times last season and the blizzaks performed awesome.

[Subie_Noob_Brian]

Originally Posted by kpet3

Have you ever used the generals in the snow? I am trying to run my AS all year round.

Ive have them in +/- an inch of snow and they felt just as good as my winter tires did. My AS's are sipped also.