winter tires?
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winter tires?
Plan on going to Tahoe about 1/2 dozen times each season, what tires should I get? I was think of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50s, but since I'll be keeping the tires on the car for the entire season, how would these tires hold up driving on bay area roads?
Or would I be better off with all season tires?
Would I still need chains if I have winter tires?
Or would I be better off with all season tires?
Would I still need chains if I have winter tires?
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
You pretty much won't need chains at all provided you have M+S rating on whatever tires you have. (technically you are supposed to carry them, but in all my time driving AWD I've just been waved through chain controls) - when it gets to where they make 4wd vehicles chain up, they are about to close the road anyway.
I've still got a set of 15" WS-50s that I ran the 2000 Winter Alcan rally with- they are really great if you are only on snow and ice, but they are really squirmy on dry pavement and will wear out in just a few thousand miles of anything other than snow and ice- so I would definetly advise against them if you are actually needing an "all season" tire.
But there are a lot of decent all season tires available these days, I'd suggest you spend some time looking over ratings and pricing at tirerack.com before deciding on what to buy.
Just keep in mind that any tire designed to work in rain snow and dry is going to have to give up some performance in each, but unless you are engaged in really serious driving, you should be able to find a tire thats a good compromise for all around use.
If on the other hand you are serious about driving your car at nine-tenths any of the time- you should really invest in a second (and maybe even third) set of rims and buy tires made for the conditions.
I've still got a set of 15" WS-50s that I ran the 2000 Winter Alcan rally with- they are really great if you are only on snow and ice, but they are really squirmy on dry pavement and will wear out in just a few thousand miles of anything other than snow and ice- so I would definetly advise against them if you are actually needing an "all season" tire.
But there are a lot of decent all season tires available these days, I'd suggest you spend some time looking over ratings and pricing at tirerack.com before deciding on what to buy.
Just keep in mind that any tire designed to work in rain snow and dry is going to have to give up some performance in each, but unless you are engaged in really serious driving, you should be able to find a tire thats a good compromise for all around use.
If on the other hand you are serious about driving your car at nine-tenths any of the time- you should really invest in a second (and maybe even third) set of rims and buy tires made for the conditions.
Last edited by psoper; Dec 27, 2003 at 12:20 AM.
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Origami posted by hatchy
Plan on going to Tahoe about 1/2 dozen times each season, what tires should I get? I was think of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50s, but since I'll be keeping the tires on the car for the entire season, how would these tires hold up driving on bay area roads?
Or would I be better off with all season tires?
Plan on going to Tahoe about 1/2 dozen times each season, what tires should I get? I was think of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50s, but since I'll be keeping the tires on the car for the entire season, how would these tires hold up driving on bay area roads?
Or would I be better off with all season tires?
I can't add anything to psoper's advice. All that remains is for you to select from a vast array of tires marketed as M + S rated all-seasons.
I myself picked up a second set of stock rims which have a hybrid winter tire, the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2, which is good if you want decent dry grip on ice-free roads on Hwy 80 and 50 leading to Reno/Tahoe, but need traction in snow and ice when going over the summit. I knew that a true snow tire wouldn't work out for me in the long run because most of the trip would be dry.
For driving locally, I run a summer/rain tire. Personally, I don't like the compromise of driving on all-seasons, all year round.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
i'd suggest pirelli p zero nero m&s tires
i hva them
work in snow somewhat well, but GREAT in the rain and dry
they have an Excellent rating on tirerack.com (.2 tenths less on dry, equal or better in every other category than the bridgestone s03's) and 40 bucks less
i hva them
work in snow somewhat well, but GREAT in the rain and dry
they have an Excellent rating on tirerack.com (.2 tenths less on dry, equal or better in every other category than the bridgestone s03's) and 40 bucks less
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Origami posted by Daredevil
i'd suggest pirelli p zero nero m&s tires
i hva them
work in snow somewhat well, but GREAT in the rain and dry
they have an Excellent rating on tirerack.com (.2 tenths less on dry, equal or better in every other category than the bridgestone s03's) and 40 bucks less
i'd suggest pirelli p zero nero m&s tires
i hva them
work in snow somewhat well, but GREAT in the rain and dry
they have an Excellent rating on tirerack.com (.2 tenths less on dry, equal or better in every other category than the bridgestone s03's) and 40 bucks less
The Bridgestone S-03 is probably far better in the wet and the dry than any M + S-rated tire, regardless of cost.
Sorry, but I was disappointed when I read his comments, too.
This is why his advice is worth listening to.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
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I just got a new set of Sumitomo HTR+ tires from the tire rack (for my Subaru Forester), and just got back from a trip to the mountains where I drove in some deep snow, and later in moderately heavy rain (as well as on dry pavement most of the trip).
The tires were slightly less sharp steering than the previous Falken ZE-502's I've used, but had great traction in the rain, and were surprisingly good in the snow.
Went through snow deep enough to drag the exhaust system and up some pretty steep hills on the back roads with hardly any slipping (probably no slipping if I hadn't tried to provoke it ;-)
The HTR+ tires seem to have very sticky rubber, and may not wear that long (only have a couple thousand miles on them so I can't say) - but was very very happy with them on the slippery stuff. When they do break loose (with severe provacation) in the wet, they are very easy to get back into control by easing off a little on the brakes or accelerator. Almost too much traction - I can get the inside wheels light doing my skidpad routine in an empty wet parking lot. Don't do this at home - no lightpoles or parked cars were harmed in this test ;-)
Also highly recommend doing business with the tire rack. Good advise, ship promptly, good prices, etc. Have used them several times.
Hank Murdoch
98 Forester w/225/60-16 Sumitomo HTR+ tires
The tires were slightly less sharp steering than the previous Falken ZE-502's I've used, but had great traction in the rain, and were surprisingly good in the snow.
Went through snow deep enough to drag the exhaust system and up some pretty steep hills on the back roads with hardly any slipping (probably no slipping if I hadn't tried to provoke it ;-)
The HTR+ tires seem to have very sticky rubber, and may not wear that long (only have a couple thousand miles on them so I can't say) - but was very very happy with them on the slippery stuff. When they do break loose (with severe provacation) in the wet, they are very easy to get back into control by easing off a little on the brakes or accelerator. Almost too much traction - I can get the inside wheels light doing my skidpad routine in an empty wet parking lot. Don't do this at home - no lightpoles or parked cars were harmed in this test ;-)
Also highly recommend doing business with the tire rack. Good advise, ship promptly, good prices, etc. Have used them several times.
Hank Murdoch
98 Forester w/225/60-16 Sumitomo HTR+ tires
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From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
word-
even with clear skies and dry highways, going up there with just summer tires is a bad idea.
On a street at Tahoe Donner where my friends house is, crawling along without the speedometer even moving- I managed to lock up the tires (antilock didn't do isht) and stuff it in the snowbank, twice.
note to self- buy some aggresive M+S tires for around Nor Cal in the winter, and some real snow tires before heading back up to BC!
(Thanks for the suggestion Hank- my sumitomos should be here next week!)
:banana: :banana:
even with clear skies and dry highways, going up there with just summer tires is a bad idea.
On a street at Tahoe Donner where my friends house is, crawling along without the speedometer even moving- I managed to lock up the tires (antilock didn't do isht) and stuff it in the snowbank, twice.
note to self- buy some aggresive M+S tires for around Nor Cal in the winter, and some real snow tires before heading back up to BC!
(Thanks for the suggestion Hank- my sumitomos should be here next week!)
:banana: :banana:
Last edited by psoper; Dec 28, 2003 at 12:05 AM.
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I just got the Continental extreme contacts and am VERY happy. I've been to Tahoe twice already during a storm and driving after a foot of fresh powder and I didn't slip or slide at all. It was great they haven't let me down in the rain either.
I have two sets of wheels.
17'' with Falken Azenis for Bay Area driving.
stock 16'' wheels with Blizzak WS 50's for Tahoe trips.
You don't want to be driving around in Blizzaks around the bay area on a regular basis. Due to the mild (nearly always above freezing) climate, your Blizzaks would wear out very fast.
If you can, have an extra set of wheels w/ snow tires for your tahoe trips... just swap the wheels the night before and you're all set for the weekend tahoe trip.
As far as the Blizzak WS 50's go... they rule in the snow and ice. I was in Tahoe a few weeks ago and we got pounded with a huge storm. My WRX was like a snow-mobile! Got through deep snow, ice, etc. There were Explorer's and other SUV's spinning out all over the place.... it was great!
Snow tires are a great piece of mind when I'm heading into the mountains... added safety is always a good buy.
17'' with Falken Azenis for Bay Area driving.
stock 16'' wheels with Blizzak WS 50's for Tahoe trips.
You don't want to be driving around in Blizzaks around the bay area on a regular basis. Due to the mild (nearly always above freezing) climate, your Blizzaks would wear out very fast.
If you can, have an extra set of wheels w/ snow tires for your tahoe trips... just swap the wheels the night before and you're all set for the weekend tahoe trip.
As far as the Blizzak WS 50's go... they rule in the snow and ice. I was in Tahoe a few weeks ago and we got pounded with a huge storm. My WRX was like a snow-mobile! Got through deep snow, ice, etc. There were Explorer's and other SUV's spinning out all over the place.... it was great!
Snow tires are a great piece of mind when I'm heading into the mountains... added safety is always a good buy.
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