Winter is just a few months away... Snow tires.
#1
Winter is just a few months away... Snow tires.
.... sigh... Time to purchase some snow tires. Do you guys buy just the 2 front snow tires or 4 snow tires? I have to admit that the Honda Fit is terrible in snow and this is due to my experience of getting stucked about 3 times last winter storm. The Fit is too light to ride on thick snow.
#2
do all four, otherwise you can end up in spin outs.
i got my set for my GD last week (per my blog) from Alex at www.tirerack.com get it now and get a $50 gift card from american express:
Blizzak WS60 + black steelies. $630 shipped. not bad at all!!!! i use the WS60 on my GE and it's a very nice setup in the deep snow. it drives like a AWD car.
i got my set for my GD last week (per my blog) from Alex at www.tirerack.com get it now and get a $50 gift card from american express:
Blizzak WS60 + black steelies. $630 shipped. not bad at all!!!! i use the WS60 on my GE and it's a very nice setup in the deep snow. it drives like a AWD car.
#3
oh yah, just a note... most tire places will only stock a certain number of steelies ($50 each) so make sure you order soon.
last year i waited too long and the steelies were all sold out.
15x6 black steel wheels (steelies)
195/55/15 WS60 is wat i got.
last year i waited too long and the steelies were all sold out.
15x6 black steel wheels (steelies)
195/55/15 WS60 is wat i got.
#7
I actually just received my order of snow tires from Tire Rack too. I got 4 Continental ExtremeWinterContact (195/60R15) ($74 each) mounted and balanced on 4 steel wheels ($49 each). The Continental tires have the same $50 rebate as the Blizzaks, are cheaper, and were rated #1 in the most recent tire rack tests: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=135. I have a GE8 by the way, I think the GD uses a different size tire...
I also spent another almost $300 to get TPMS sensors and the reset tool, though there's some debate as to whether it's really that necessary or not.
Tire Rack is pretty good about recommending tire sizes that are close to OEM, but you should check using a tire size calculator that the whatever tire size you pick won't through off your odometer/speedometer too much: Tire size calculator
Using just 2 snow tires is pretty dangerous -- here's an example of what happens with 2 snow tires in the front and 2 all season tires in the rear (starts around 1:30): YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
I also spent another almost $300 to get TPMS sensors and the reset tool, though there's some debate as to whether it's really that necessary or not.
Tire Rack is pretty good about recommending tire sizes that are close to OEM, but you should check using a tire size calculator that the whatever tire size you pick won't through off your odometer/speedometer too much: Tire size calculator
Using just 2 snow tires is pretty dangerous -- here's an example of what happens with 2 snow tires in the front and 2 all season tires in the rear (starts around 1:30): YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
Last edited by clicq; 10-01-2010 at 02:54 PM.
#9
I actually just received my order of snow tires from Tire Rack too. I got 4 Continental ExtremeWinterContact (195/60R15) ($74 each) mounted and balanced on 4 steel wheels ($49 each). The Continental tires have the same $50 rebate as the Blizzaks, are cheaper, and were rated #1 in the most recent tire rack tests: Testing Winter Weather Specialists: Studless Ice and Snow Tires
I also spent another almost $300 to get TPMS sensors and the reset tool, though there's some debate as to whether it's really that necessary or not.
Tire Rack is pretty good about recommending tire sizes that are close to OEM, but you should check using a tire size calculator that the whatever tire size you pick won't through off your odometer/speedometer too much: Tire size calculator
Using just 2 snow tires is pretty dangerous -- here's an example of what happens with 2 snow tires in the front and 2 all season tires in the rear (starts around 1:30): YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
I also spent another almost $300 to get TPMS sensors and the reset tool, though there's some debate as to whether it's really that necessary or not.
Tire Rack is pretty good about recommending tire sizes that are close to OEM, but you should check using a tire size calculator that the whatever tire size you pick won't through off your odometer/speedometer too much: Tire size calculator
Using just 2 snow tires is pretty dangerous -- here's an example of what happens with 2 snow tires in the front and 2 all season tires in the rear (starts around 1:30): YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
#11
black- i dont use TPMS in either one of the snow tiresets. it's not worth the trouble or price, imho. just check your psi every 2-3wks.
#12
On the other hand, a lot of people just live with the TPMS light and don't worry about it. After all, you still have winter tires, which should make you safer than a lot of people on the road.
#14
4 Winter Tires are a Must
4 winter tires are a must. Here are some really informative videos about winter tires:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P03wqClnq-0
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX1Um...eature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKw3H...eature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFYXO...eature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdtAm...eature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDJd...eature=related
#15
4 winter tires are a must. Here are some really informative videos about winter tires:
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 1 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 2 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 3 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 4 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 5 of 6
- YouTube - Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 6 of 6
#16
Don't wait too long...
Besides running out of Steelies if you want them, last year I also was unable to order winter tires for my Jaguar VDP S/C, which like the Fit has an odd tire size. They had them now, but I figured I would order them closer to when I was going to put them on, but they were out of stock and never came back in stock.
This year I sold the AWD Subaru, so I do not have a backup, so I ordered the snow tires now, although I won't put them on the cars until next month or early December, just to make sure I have them.
I ordered the Blizzak WS60's in the 185/55 16 size, and will put them on my Sport Wheels.
In the spring I will likely buy other wheels and tires. I am looking at the Orange sensors, but haven't been able to purchase them yet.
Orange Electronic TPMS USA - Tire Pressure Monitoring System
This year I sold the AWD Subaru, so I do not have a backup, so I ordered the snow tires now, although I won't put them on the cars until next month or early December, just to make sure I have them.
I ordered the Blizzak WS60's in the 185/55 16 size, and will put them on my Sport Wheels.
In the spring I will likely buy other wheels and tires. I am looking at the Orange sensors, but haven't been able to purchase them yet.
Orange Electronic TPMS USA - Tire Pressure Monitoring System
#17
I recommend that people consider the conditions they're likely to encounter in winter. There is a big difference between a Blizzak WS-60 and a Blizzak LM-25. The WS-60 is going to be better for folks who drive on snow- and ice-covered roads frequently, while the LM-25 may be a better choice for folks who will see mostly slush and cold roads. I use LM-25's on my cars. They provide very good ice and snow traction, and they aren't squishy or squirmy on dry roads. YMMV.
#18
What car do you have these on?
I recommend that people consider the conditions they're likely to encounter in winter. There is a big difference between a Blizzak WS-60 and a Blizzak LM-25. The WS-60 is going to be better for folks who drive on snow- and ice-covered roads frequently, while the LM-25 may be a better choice for folks who will see mostly slush and cold roads. I use LM-25's on my cars. They provide very good ice and snow traction, and they aren't squishy or squirmy on dry roads. YMMV.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
Actually in the Blizzak LM-25 RFT
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....zzak+LM-25+RFT
I see a 205/55R16 that is 1 inch bigger than the stock in overall diameter.
Last edited by Blackbeard; 10-22-2010 at 01:49 PM.
#20
I got four Michelin X-Ice on steelies, but it still tends to float on even moderate snowfalls (perhaps, as the name implies, its performance is designed more for icy roads than snowy ones). I shudder to think how bad it would be with all-seasons.