It's that time again. Going to buy the Generals unless someone has something new to suggest.

General Altimax Arctics FTW! You'll be super happy. Great snow/winter tire for the price.

-Brian

^ yep, that might be my next tire! I just really like the DWS because they also do great on the dry fun summer roads.

What do you guys think about buying 4-5 year old tires with about 50% tread left on them for a snow tire?

I read that most tires only last up for about 6 years before you should replace them..but as a dedicated snow tire to only be used when going up tahoe, how does that affect the "6 year life"?

[url]http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11[/url]

General Altimax Arctics or SP Winter Sport 3D?

EDIT:
nvm guys. if you have 6/32 or less on your winter tires, they should be replaced since they aren't providing a "bite" anymore during snowy conditions.

[quote=tirerack.com]If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't sufficient tread depth, the "bites" of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be reduced to "nibbles," and your vehicle's traction and mobility will be sacrificed. Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction, winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of "wear bars" molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32" remaining tread depth to warn you when your tires no longer meet the desired tread depth.[/quote]

[QUOTE=04caliwrx;2970897]^ yep, that might be my next tire! I just really like the DWS because they also do great on the dry fun summer roads.[/QUOTE]

I know you're amped on the DWS, but a tire that is fun on dry roads is not capable of being that good on snow, unless you like sliding around a lot and destroying tires :). I'm not trying to be an ass, but that's just my experience with true snow tires.

-Brian

[QUOTE=eastbaysubaru;2971058]I know you're amped on the DWS, but a tire that is fun on dry roads is not capable of being that good on snow, unless you like sliding around a lot and destroying tires :). I'm not trying to be an ass, but that's just my experience with true snow tires.

-Brian[/QUOTE]

I would say you are correct, but thisa look at this

click on the review on the dws (all season tire)

[url]http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS&partnum=44WR7ECDWS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes[/url]

now the Blizzak LM-60

[url]http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+LM-60&partnum=345HR7LM60XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes[/url]

not mush of a difference in the snow/ice/water and the dws tread life is just crazy! I go to lake tahoe every every and have been in 10" plus inches in snow with both tires and I can tell you that I don't really feel any difference.

Well we'll just have to wait and see. I recommended the DWS to my brother for his '08 Outback XT based on your experiences/recommendation. He can't afford to get two sets of tires so I thought this would be a good compromise since he's up in Tahoe a bunch throughout the winter.

I prefer having dedicated snow tires myself, but to each their own :D

-Brian

I have a set of these on my stock rims for winter only. They are amazing!!

[QUOTE=wakeskatemike;2971186]I have a set of these on my stock rims for winter only. They are amazing!![/QUOTE]

which?

these tires look legit i must say, also hella good deal

[QUOTE=subymobbin303;2971462]these tires look legit i must say, also hella good deal[/QUOTE]

Yep! The price is the reason I tried them last year!

beacuse it's winter and people can't use the search function lol


bump!

going to buy a set tomorrow mounted on some steelies. the 205/55/16 tires are $86 right now on tirerack.

I've never used a dedicated snow tire. Nothing but all seasons, the RE92's, ES100 (not too smart on my part) and ecsta asx. The only problem I had was the first year I had my car, abs kicked on, replaced the brakes with wilwoods and haven't had a problem yet.

Also, just picked up a set of conti extreme contact dsw, first impressions are that I love them. Far quieter than the stock tires that came on my wife's legacy. Can't wait to try them out in some snow

I had the pleasure of driving my brother's '08 Outback XT in Tahoe over the Thanksgiving holiday with the newly mounted ContiExtreme DWS'. While they were by far the best all season's I've used in the snow, they weren't as good as any of the dedicated snow tires I've used in the past (Blizzak LM-22, Michelin Alpin PA2 and the General Altimax Arctic). The General's have been the best value snow tire by far and I'd recommend them to anyone that spends a fair amount of weekends in Tahoe.

-Brian