('11+) First snow with AWD

[aeoporta]

European problems

http://news.sky.com/story/1040788/wi...western-europe

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[gman03842]

Let me clarify this some. I bought this car for my daughter who is a college student. I do not want a tire that allows her to drive fast for any condition. My main goal is to get her a set of snows that she feels comfortable with, and that are as safe as can be expected during a snow storm. I just want a snow tire that handles ok whether the road is dry or snow covered.

She totaled a 2002 volvo s40, and my wife and I decided to buy her the safest car we could afford. The Volvo had Michelin X-ice winter tires on it. I never realized how much better a car was with snow tires in the winter.

I will try to find the tires suggested so far and get a look at them. From what I have found so far there is limited stock on a lot of the winter tires in my area. Portsmouth, NH 03801

So far it seems like the Blizzak's are the tires most people use. They are a little pricey though, but that is not a main concern. I will not sacrifice safety over a couple of dollars.

General altimax arctic
dunlop wintersports
Blizzak ws 60 or ws70.

Thanks,

Greg

[aeoporta]

those should all keep her safe then greg, might i also suggest a winter defensive driving course or just a defensive driving course in general, will lower your insurance rate and every bit helps.

[ans2k]

Originally Posted by gman03842

Let me clarify this some. I bought this car for my daughter who is a college student. I do not want a tire that allows her to drive fast for any condition. My main goal is to get her a set of snows that she feels comfortable with, and that are as safe as can be expected during a snow storm. I just want a snow tire that handles ok whether the road is dry or snow covered.

She totaled a 2002 volvo s40, and my wife and I decided to buy her the safest car we could afford. The Volvo had Michelin X-ice winter tires on it. I never realized how much better a car was with snow tires in the winter.

I will try to find the tires suggested so far and get a look at them. From what I have found so far there is limited stock on a lot of the winter tires in my area. Portsmouth, NH 03801

So far it seems like the Blizzak's are the tires most people use. They are a little pricey though, but that is not a main concern. I will not sacrifice safety over a couple of dollars.

General altimax arctic
dunlop wintersports
Blizzak ws 60 or ws70.

Thanks,

Greg

honestly those are good tires. if driven responsible (under 40) they will be great and handle anything

[Commander Keen]

Supposedly the Blizzak compound varies with depth, and the more effective outer compound doesn't last very long.

The X-Ice2 tires work very well on my Impreza and when they wear out, I'll be giving the 3's a try.

X-Ice is not Michelin's performance winter tire. It's meant for the worst of winter.

[Guzzi 1]

As it turns out, I had yeaterday off, although I had forgotten that until Sunday. Anyway, all the bad weather that was being forecast stayed just North of me until last night. I had a chance to run a few errands which took me up into that snow though. The tires are bran spankin' new at the moment, but some so so roads and a snow covered parking lot left me very impressed with these tires. The snow that I have been hearing about arrived here last night along with a temp of 8F and a chill factor of -14. Looks to be about a foot outside so I will be taking advantage of them once again. I was very impressed with these tires yesterday and that feeling certainly validated my purchase. I don't know how quickly they will wear, but it seems winter compounds wear quickly at temps above 45F or so based on what I have read.

Tire Rack likely has a selection of tires in stock for your application and they deliver pretty quickly. They list authorized installers in your area and will ship directly to them. If you prefer your own tire guy, you can have them shipped to that place, which is what I did. Might be worth making sure your place would be willing to do that, or just use TR's authorized dealer.

John

[sgoldste01]

Yesterday I returned home from a trip, driving from MD to NY. In PA, we ran snow that melted and then froze on the road surfaces. People were off the road everywhere. It took us an extra 2.5 hours to get home due to traffic jams and slow-moving traffic.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...187821301.html

I never felt any slippage at all with the used set of Blizzak WS60s I have installed. I've also used General Altimax Arctics in the past (on my VW TDI), and am sure they would have performed well on the Impreza, too.

[myrt1987]

Woo snowed here last night! Plows barely hit the roads around my house so had some fun, and fun it was with no one else on the road at 6am. Main roads were clear and now my car is a giant salt-sicle.

[BajaGuy68]

For what its worth, I have Firestone WinterForce tires on my Subie and I love them. This is my second winter on them and they are still performing very well.

[danstheman7]

Went through some snow yesterday with my stock Avid (the 15" size which comes with the base model 2.0i), and they handled terribly. There was probably 1.5" of snow on the ground, not even ice, and the car slid and ABS kicked in almost every time I stopped at a red light.

And before you say it, no, I wasn't speeding, I was going a safe 20-30mph with more than double the stopping distance I usually leave.

What's the point of selling an all wheel drive car when the stock tires with it are terrible And tiny, too.

[ans2k]

Originally Posted by danstheman7

Went through some snow yesterday with my stock Avid (the 15" size which comes with the base model 2.0i), and they handled terribly. There was probably 1.5" of snow on the ground, not even ice, and the car slid and ABS kicked in almost every time I stopped at a red light.

And before you say it, no, I wasn't speeding, I was going a safe 20-30mph with more than double the stopping distance I usually leave.

What's the point of selling an all wheel drive car when the stock tires with it are terrible And tiny, too.

because better mpg. get some continental dws tires if your area barely gets snow

[gman03842]

I am going to have some time today to check out the local tire stores. If I cannot find some of the other tires people are using and liking, I will be getting some blizzaks, or X-ice 3.

This is a great site with plenty of people willing to give advice.

Thanks,
Greg

[Guzzi 1]

Doing lunch at the moment. The Lake effect we were expecting arrived overnight with a vengence. I had a foot of snow in the driveway. The roads were horrible despite everyones best effort to keep them clear. (Very windy, keeping the road surface slippery and to varying degrees snow covered.) On the way to work this morning, I was following few cars on my mostly rural commute. People sliding all over the place obviously struggling to keep their cars under control between the cross winds and slippery surface. Mine was effortless. I am very pleased with the Blizzak's on slippery roads! I am beyond very pleased!!

John

[aeoporta]

sgoldste01 looks like i missed you on your trip especially if you took 81, i was in corning then sped over to utica area, today is day 4 or 5 of snow, got a foot sunday, monday 8" today scheduled to get 11", everyday has been a snow day. I love you lake effect snow.
Its nice to have winter back, FINALLY just been me and a few jeeps when it gets real bad at night. I've been mountain goat climbing, alot

[sgoldste01]

Yeah, I drove through that mess on Monday. We've got nothing up here in Rochester.

The stability of the Impreza with Blizzaks was great, though!

[gman03842]

Pulled the trigger and purchased a set of 205/55/16 Blizzak WS70 from Sears. No one else around had any in stock, and Sears has a real good deal going on right now. Purchase 4 tires and get $100.00 off, and then a coupon code Auto35 for another $35.00 off. Tires were $138.99 before discounts. Ended up getting them for $499.68 mounted and lifetime balance.

Thanks,

Greg

[Guzzi 1]

If the 70's are anything like the 60's I am confident you will be very satisfied. (Or your daughter will, but I assume you will take an opportunity too.) With the cold and snow here the last couple of days, the roads have been terrible up until last night when things finally began to settle down. I have been astounded at how well the car has performed on very slippery roads. Hardly any slipping and sliding when others around me are having a very difficult time. That includes all the suv's which are popular here.

John

[a3ng25]

Originally Posted by Guzzi 1

If the 70's are anything like the 60's I am confident you will be very satisfied. (Or your daughter will, but I assume you will take an opportunity too.) With the cold and snow here the last couple of days, the roads have been terrible up until last night when things finally began to settle down. I have been astounded at how well the car has performed on very slippery roads. Hardly any slipping and sliding when others around me are having a very difficult time. That includes all the suv's which are popular here.

John

i would think suvs are disadvantaged from their top heavy nature. their adv is the clearance

[ans2k]

Originally Posted by a3ng25

i would think suvs are disadvantaged from their top heavy nature. their adv is the clearance

yea they are top heavy but it is mostly the weight and crappy tires with over confident drivers. crossovers like the XV will be nice because of the low weight (compared to other class vehicles) and ride height.

[sgoldste01]

I think the new Forester will be nice too. I will definitely have my wife test drive one when it's time to get rid of her minivan in a year or two.

[a3ng25]

MY13 WRX with all seasons is awesome in the little bit of snow we just got... even when you push it.

[EnforcerPSU]

My 960 AS Potenzas are still doing ok, even in the deeper stuff. The 970s are on nationwide back order unfortunately.

[gman03842]

Had the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70's installed today for my daughter. Had about a 30 mile drive back from Sears. They drove real smooth. Have a snowstorm coming in tomorrow, my daughter will be able to test them out.

Greg

[saabarupp]

Originally Posted by Guzzi 1

My buddy lives in Little Valley. If I get over that way, I'll check in and maybe get a cup of coffee somewhere or something. Usually, I pass through there a couple of times a year, but generally it is on the way someplace and I hit Salamanka for gas.

John

I grew up in that area. I went back to visit friends and go snowboarding at Holiday Valley on Sunday the 20th and drove back the 22nd. It was a white out both on the way up and on the way back. If you have ever driven the country roads up there you know they don't even bother plowing some of them. My wife's 2012 Imp was a champ. Grip was not an issue at all, seeing through all the snow at night was a pain though.

[BajaGuy68]

Originally Posted by saabarupp

I grew up in that area. I went back to visit friends and go snowboarding at Holiday Valley on Sunday the 20th and drove back the 22nd. It was a white out both on the way up and on the way back. If you have ever driven the country roads up there you know they don't even bother plowing some of them. My wife's 2012 Imp was a champ. Grip was not an issue at all, seeing through all the snow at night was a pain though.

I live in Delevan, so that's why I've owned five Subies so far and I won't give them up!