Winter Tire Information Thread.

[BJ@Tirerack.com]

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

Thanks. I'm new to the area (and to snow). We got our first snow last week, but the locals say we don't typically get that type of storm until December. And I understand the Blizzaks don't last long with constant dry driving and I'd like to see several seasons with them. I'm running the Avid H4S right now and want to run these as long as I can.

Yeah, it looks like winter may be coming early all over the country! I'm hoping it's not too bad of a winter.

[brads03zx3]

We haven't had a snow since I posted that LOL Denver got some snow the other day. Temps are getting lower, but we are still in the 50's during the day.

[Focusized1976]

I am looking to put some snow tires on my ST Focus as my General Altimax's didn't last for ****! Don't know why, as the ratings they had are amazing. They did work well for the first 10,000 miles, but faded after that. Have 18,000 on them now and almost at the wear bars.

Do you guys think I should go with another decent all-season tire or get dedicated winter tires and then summer tires. I have a good idea on summer tires, but can't decide on winter tires.

Have 500 to spend, so need something decent. Mixed reviews on the newer Blizzak's and the Michelins are uber expensive.

Thanks for any help.

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally Posted by Focusized1976

I am looking to put some snow tires on my ST Focus as my General Altimax's didn't last for ****! Don't know why, as the ratings they had are amazing. They did work well for the first 10,000 miles, but faded after that. Have 18,000 on them now and almost at the wear bars.

Do you guys think I should go with another decent all-season tire or get dedicated winter tires and then summer tires. I have a good idea on summer tires, but can't decide on winter tires.

Have 500 to spend, so need something decent. Mixed reviews on the newer Blizzak's and the Michelins are uber expensive.

Thanks for any help.

It depends on where you are in this continent and your driving conditions.

There are plenty of other brands aside from Blizzaks and Michelin X-Ice. Read up on Tire Rack's winter testing they just did. I think Continental did better than the Michelins. Plus, there are a host of other tire companies too that aren't as expensive as Blizzaks or X-Ice, like Toyo, Pirelli, Kumho, and many others.

[Focusized1976]

Originally Posted by GapBoyPCS

It depends on where you are in this continent and your driving conditions.

There are plenty of other brands aside from Blizzaks and Michelin X-Ice. Read up on Tire Rack's winter testing they just did. I think Continental did better than the Michelins. Plus, there are a host of other tire companies too that aren't as expensive as Blizzaks or X-Ice, like Toyo, Pirelli, Kumho, and many others.

Well I imagine if I was looking at winter tires, I would live somewhere where the weather changes.

I am in Ohio, the upper eastern part, which gets quite a bit of snow......but usually, actually sometimes they take care of the roads. I just don't want a winter tire to drive like crap.........granted can't be much worse than how my Generals are performing right now.

Blizzaks are not too bad on price, the Michelin's are a little high.

Also I need these to fit my Focus and when I put in my size on tire-rack, there is only a couple of winter tires popping up for some reason. I need the 205/50/16's.......unless I can go with a different size, but rather keep it OEM as I am not too much into the steelies.

I would like to stick with the tire-rack as I had a good expeirence with them before and shipping was spot-on!

Thinking maybe just doing the all-season again as I would need to spend another 400-500 in the summer. I have the money, but it could go towards something else.........then again I could get more life out of my tires hopefully.

[GapBoyPCS]

Originally Posted by Focusized1976

Well I imagine if I was looking at winter tires, I would live somewhere where the weather changes.

I am in Ohio, the upper eastern part, which gets quite a bit of snow......but usually, actually sometimes they take care of the roads. I just don't want a winter tire to drive like crap.........granted can't be much worse than how my Generals are performing right now.

Blizzaks are not too bad on price, the Michelin's are a little high.

Also I need these to fit my Focus and when I put in my size on tire-rack, there is only a couple of winter tires popping up for some reason. I need the 205/50/16's.......unless I can go with a different size, but rather keep it OEM as I am not too much into the steelies.

I would like to stick with the tire-rack as I had a good expeirence with them before and shipping was spot-on!

Thinking maybe just doing the all-season again as I would need to spend another 400-500 in the summer. I have the money, but it could go towards something else.........then again I could get more life out of my tires hopefully.

For some of us in snowy areas, some can get away with an all-season provided the roads are constantly plowed and salted. For many, we just choose to spend the money and invest in safety and a dedicated set of winter wheels.

Winter tires in 205/50R16 sizing are admittedly a small selection. If you want to stick with TireRack, I'd just read up on their selection, consider all the reviews, maybe poll the members, and then make a choice. You'll notice a slight difference in handling between winters and all-seasons/dedicated summers mainly because of the rubber compound being used. It's not THAT drastic, and considering the trade-off is greater traction it's worth it

[Focusized1976]

Originally Posted by GapBoyPCS

For some of us in snowy areas, some can get away with an all-season provided the roads are constantly plowed and salted. For many, we just choose to spend the money and invest in safety and a dedicated set of winter wheels.

Winter tires in 205/50R16 sizing are admittedly a small selection. If you want to stick with TireRack, I'd just read up on their selection, consider all the reviews, maybe poll the members, and then make a choice. You'll notice a slight difference in handling between winters and all-seasons/dedicated summers mainly because of the rubber compound being used. It's not THAT drastic, and considering the trade-off is greater traction it's worth it

Thanks for the informative post bud.

I will probably just get a decent set of all-seasons though as we need all the money we can get right now......actually might not even be able to get new tires and have to slide around all winter..... Wifes car took a crap and she needs a newish one. One step forward, 2 steps back!