newgsman

iTrader: (4)

I agree that it is mostly about driving habits and experience. I have always driven rear wheel cars and I have used just about every kind of snow tire at least once, including , Blizzaks, Continentals, Goodyear, and Michelin. Certainly some are better than others but overall if you know what your can can do and what it will do, you will probably do ok in winter conditions.

Horsepower and car weight make a difference but in snow and ice its all about gas pedal control. You can either let VSC & Snow Mode do it for you or you can learn to do it yourself. If you are careful you shouldn't be going side ways (unless maybe if you hit a patch of black ice).

On my GS4 right now I am using Michelin PA2's. I like them a lot. I have used Goodyear GW3's and they worked very well also. I had some older Blizzaks which had at least 70% tread but I did not had good luck with them at all. I am using General Altimax Arctic on my RWD Cressida and I think they may even better than the Michelins.

It's not a bad idea to practice in snow covered parking lots or deserted roads.

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the feedback, guys! Gives me some food for thought. Gonna see if after Christmas I can pick up a set of snow tires.

****-adkt: no FI, but my entire drivetrain only weighs 1lb, 4oz, and all 300hp make it to the tires! (I was thinking crank hp.)

kpazzo6

Any car I've ever owned I always had a set of winter rims and tires for winter season...Chicago it gets crazy and I've had close calls that I value my life to spend money on additional safety.

This year I got General Altimax Arctic instead of Bridgestone Blizzaks like I normally do and for price and test drives so far its worth the $420 I paid shipped!

I took them to Walmart Tire center and they installed them for $12 a tire...total $48 with tax. Not bad...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

TLcoats

iTrader: (11)

Oh the joys of living in So Cal!

PushinLEX

iTrader: (9)

Minus the bad traffic part.

tommy152

I would always spin the tires when trying to accelerate from a stopped position on any incline when it snowed. I've used the Goodyear Ultra Grips for the past 4 years and its a night and day difference.

Och

iTrader: (3)

When you say they suck compared to Blizzak, what exactly do you mean? I purchased a set of Winterforces last year, and they were freaking awesome, I couldn't even get stuck. I've only got stuck once, and that was on ice!

From the photos Blizzaks thread doesn't seem to be as aggressive as Winterforce. I could Blizzaks being superior on dry roads, and being quieter, but I have trouble seeing Blizzaks being superior in snow.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

Personally I don't know if Blizzaks are superior than the other winter tires but they did the job for me after the brutal winter we had last. I just feel confident driving in the snow without the worries of skidding, fishtailing and getting stuck with just a few inches on the ground.

Kansas

The Blizzak model name is used on a number of Bridgestone winter tires -- some are so-so winter "performance" tires and some are the real deal for winter use. When you use the term "Blizzak" to describe tires, please tell us the Blizzak model you are referring to.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

^^ True true since there are different models of Blizzak tires. Mine are the WS60.

ZippyGuy

iTrader: (9)

Both the Blizzak LM-60 and WS60 are serious, SERIOUS, winter tires. From my understanding the WS60 is better in ice/deep snow, the LM-60 is "top of the list" when it comes to deep snow in the performance winter category.

I recently took off my 19's wheels and tires and mounted some Vredestein Wintertrac Extremes (225/45-18 front, 255/40-18 rear) on L-Tuned wheels. My concern wasn't so much getting around when snow is 6 inches plus, my concern was anything less than 6 inches of snow and general cold weather driving with the highest level of comfort a winter tire can produce. So far with one week on the tires the ride is BETTER than I expected.

Bring on the snow!

From my research, the top tires in the winter performance class are:

Nokian WR G2 *
Hankook Winter i*cept evo
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3
Bridgestone LM-60

My personal top choices are:

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3
Vredestein Wintertrac Extremes
Bridgestone LM-60

Och

iTrader: (3)

My biggest concern with winter tires is getting in and out of snow. Here in NYC streets are usually plowed almost immediately after it snows, so driving around isn't a problem. However getting into the driveway can provide to be tricky, especially if theres two feel of plowed snow in front of it. I know Firestone Winterforce do not get much respect, but last winter they proved to be amazing for me. I could get through any snow as long as I wasn't getting belly stuck. However they do suck on dry pavement and road noise and harshness are pretty bad.

MrG4Life

iTrader: (14)

Same for me too.
Since moving from NYC to Delaware I've seen how lackluster they are here with snow removal. A lot of times the snow on roads gets packed from not being plowed and being driven on and thats when I ran into problems when I didn't have snow tires. I still may lose traction here and there but thats only when I apply a little too much gas especially from a dead stop. I've yet to have any issues going up my driveway with snow on the ground.

ninja6o4

iTrader: (6)

Third vote for General Altimax Arctic. They are a great tire for the price. I'm running all 4 now and perform admirably. Here's a thread about this on another forum:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/jc-wh...-tires-937324/

ZippyGuy

iTrader: (9)

Just took off my Vredestein Wintrac tires and let me say, they were FANTASTIC this winter. Incredible grip, outstanding water evacuation, and a great ride. I highly recommend