YASTT (Yet Another Snow Tire Thread)

[heymrdj]

Vehicle is a 2004 Ford Expedition 4x2 Eddie Bauer with the 5.4L V8.

Over the past few days I've had a few scary experiences. With the ice storms that's went acrossed, I had to drive through the heart of it, driving 10mph on an interstate because you can't see ect ect. The tires I have now are LT rated General Grabber HTS All Season tires. They have 38k miles on them, and they are 50k rated, they are definitely getting due for replacement, though their dry performance is still pretty awesome.

What I'm thinking is if i get snow tires now, then I can probably run them to april here, then go back to the all seasons, then back to the snows for a second winter, then get new all seasons in 2013. I run alot of miles for work (about 12k just work related, not including personal) so good tires are a must.

My question is, are they worth the $$. My fiances ranger has brand new Yokohoma snow tires that came from the previous owners with 240lbs of sand in the back, and her truck drive MULTITUDES better than mine. I can hardly launch from an intersection with less than 5 seconds of ice spin (down in 1st, light light throttle). Hers is very surefooted in the snow. But my thought is..can you really make a 7k lb beast drive any better? (lots of work equipment always in the back). As tall as it sits, it throws alot of weight in corners and stops, is it a pipe dream to stop from 30mph to 0 in under 200ft? (that's what it currently takes on a freshly powdered road, lots of waiting and ABS pulsing). Are snow tires really that wonderful?

I'm considering Michelin X-ICE2 and Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1. Both with all services included will probably run between 850-1000$ for a set. Is it worth it, and is it reasonable to expect 2 winters out of them at probably 4k miles per winter season (maybe up to 6k in a winter season.)

Guide me please wise ones. This displaced GA boy is new to the game

.

 

[jlee]

Grip is grip, and weight = more grip. Snow tires will make a huge difference over worn-out all seasons. If you're only driving 4-6k miles, I'd guess you'd definitely get two years out of them - maybe three.

 

[JCH13]

I would expect 4 seasons of that sort of driving with snow tires. I got 2 1/2 seasons, 15k miles, out of a used set of snows that I thrash on. I am only replacing them because two are dry-rotting. Granted my MS3 is a bit different from a work truck

X-Ice2 is a great choice, and so is anything Blizzack. Any dedicated snows will be good. My personal opinion is "snow tires or GTFO" if your area sees any sort of regular snow or ice, even inexpensive snows can have really good snow/ice grip. All-seasons can do okay if they've got sipes (huge grip boost) but generally aren't great.

 

[CrazyChuckster]

Coming from north west PA where we average around 200 inches of snow per year (right on lake Erie) yes there is nothing like snow tires. The traction difference is night and day.

Both tires you mentioned are the top tier tires in the size class. I am assuming you have the P265/70R17's?

If you are going to buy them from say tire rack and have them installed then you really cant go wrong with either the Blizzak DM-V1 or the X-ice2, actually they are the same price in the above size.

If you plan on buying them locally then you may pay a bit more as the premium tires bring a higher price tag usually.

You can easily see 2-3 seasons on them, more than likely longer depending on how quicly you change them out when the season is over. Remember they are ice compound (softer) tires so they dont respond well to dry pavement.

If you can find a dealer locally check out the Mastercraft Courser MSR which is a 100% snow tire. They are super agressive and have a slightly harder compound which will last longer. Also not being Michelin or Bridgestone they will cost you a lot less also.

Stay away from the firestone winterforce and general altimax arctic. While they are great tires in their own respect they dont like the larger vehicles like you have.

Good luck and if you have any more questions let me know. BTW I used to run a tire store

 

[Zap]

Are snow tires really that wonderful?

Yes.

Is it worth it, and is it reasonable to expect 2 winters out of them at probably 4k miles per winter season (maybe up to 6k in a winter season.)

Yes.

I haven't yet put on my snow tires this season because we haven't gotten much snow, but the tiny bit we did get, my all-seasons (maybe 10k miles?) were pretty slippery. My snow tires have four Winters on them and probably well over 20k miles, but they still do much better in snow/ice conditions than all-seasons.

And just think, when you are using the snow tires you are not putting miles on your normal tires. Really, the only extra cost would be for swapping them out or the extra set of wheels (I use the extra set).

 

[JCH13]

And just think, when you are using the snow tires you are not putting miles on your normal tires. Really, the only extra cost would be for swapping them out or the extra set of wheels (I use the extra set).

Me too. Definitely cheaper in the long run, especially if you can pick up an inexpensive set. I got a set of alloy wheels to use with my winters for $100.

 

[heymrdj]

Wow it's pretty much one sided to get snow tires . I'm hearing good things about them, and that it should make a fairly amazing difference. I'll have to call around some places and see if I can find any that won't destroy my budget.

 

[SabaII]

+ 1 on the Blizzaks. The Michelins rock as well. MY buddy had a set of Kuhmos and they were alright but I would have personally spent a bit more for the Blizzaks. Also weight helps a lot! Sounds like you got it figured out now.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I bought some Goodyear UltraGrip 8, seem to perform pretty great, haven't had any real snow to test them though. They hook up well though, the summer tyres that I had on struggled with the uphill exit to work when it was cool (10*C) and greasy (FF), the Ultragrip hook up fine even when it's freezing (<0*C), granted I aint got 5.4L though...

 

[CraigRT]

It's possible there is a difference in handling characteristics of certain tires on certain vehicles but I was not at all impressed with the Blizzak WS-70's I ran last year, but for the second season my Altimax Arctic's were kicking ass and taking names. Better dry road composure, better deep snow traction by a mile, and probably equal to the Blizzak in road noise.
I am on Hankook W409 iPike's now and they're good, but I still miss my Altimax Arctic the most out of any winter tire I've ever used.
And yes, winter tires are a good choice and I wouldnt go without them.

 

[Zap]

Wow it's pretty much one sided to get snow tires . I'm hearing good things about them, and that it should make a fairly amazing difference.

Snow tires makes a HUGE difference... however they are not magical. They just turn "almost no traction" into "somewhat better traction." You still cannot drive as you would on dry ground.

 

[heymrdj]

Snow tires makes a HUGE difference... however they are not magical. They just turn "almost no traction" into "somewhat better traction." You still cannot drive as you would on dry ground.

Oh yeah I understand ice is ice. Last year it was fairly nasty for the 4 weeks I was up here and the tires handles really really well, but there was only 9k on them then. Now at the end of this year and being at 38k, they are just horrible :/

 

[Jeff7]

Coming from north west PA where we average around 200 inches of snow per year (right on lake Erie) yes there is nothing like snow tires. The traction difference is night and day.
...

Dear god yes - especially if you've got older all-seasons.

For example, I can start moving rather well when starting to move on a slight incline. With the all-seasons back in college, I tended to irritate people at 4-way stop signs. Yes, I know it's my turn to go. But it's a slight uphill battle due to the mild grade of the cross-road, possibly an elevation of a few inches. It's gonna be a bit. :\

Snow tires: Wow. The car actually moves where and when it should. (Within reason. I'm sure I could still do 60 on a snowy highway, but there would be some problems, like expecting an ambulance to show up quickly. )

 

[pederson_76]

Haha, I can relate to pissing people off when I had worn out tires on my RWD Crown Vic.
Definitely go with the snow tires, for me it was a night and day difference.

 

[DVad3r]

I've never had a winter tire on in my life but just got the x ice 2 put on last month. It's a great tire, you can definitely feel a huge difference in the snow. Starting/stopping is far better, my tires almost never slip.

You barely notice any difference on dry roads vs my Toyo all season tires.

Good tire, I'm happy with it so far, I recommend it.

 

[GoStumpy]

Nothing feels better than starting from a dead-stop on an uphill on ice. :wub:

 

[herm0016]

the dm-v1 is great, i have them on my pickup truck.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Nitto ntsn2, cheap and have held up well for 2 winters so far.

 

[Vetterin]

It has been said that the worst snow tire will still perform better in winter driving than the best all season tire.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

It has been said that the worst snow tire will still perform better in winter driving than the best all season tire.

this is true. also, a quality snow tire can be purchased for a lot cheaper than a quality summer tire because the quality of the rubber is often cheaper to manufacture (i think)

 

[Bacstar]

After reading this, I decided to price out some snow wheels/tires package with a set replacement TPMS sensors on Tire Rack for next winter or a couple winters down the road once I put some wear on the all-seasons. $1300 + another $423 for shipping OUCH!!!

 

[JCH13]

After reading this, I decided to price out some snow wheels/tires package with a set replacement TPMS sensors on Tire Rack for next winter or a couple winters down the road once I put some wear on the all-seasons. $1300 + another $423 for shipping OUCH!!!

Pay for it with your oil profit check

Honestly, I don't know how you could live in AK without snow tires. My brother just moved there and he was in a wreck partly (largely?) due to the owner/driver refusing to buy snows.

 

[compcons]

On a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4:
Dunlop SP Winter Sports - best handling, decent traction

Blizzaks - decent handling, decent traction

Green Diamond Ultra Grip - terrible handling, unbeleivable grip (25 mph dead stop on ice covered with slush and water without triggering ABS).

If you can drive on a set before buying them, I would recommend doing it. Handling is defintiely different on snow tires (hence settiling on the Dunlops as my third set).

Good luck!

EH

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Prioritize: Wet Snow Dry performance in that order.

 

[Bacstar]

Pay for it with your oil profit check

Honestly, I don't know how you could live in AK without snow tires. My brother just moved there and he was in a wreck partly (largely?) due to the owner/driver refusing to buy snows.

Just bought an AWD this past November with all-seasons on them. Car seems to be doing as well or better than my old car with Blizzaks and FWD. Since the blizzaks were studless, I kept them all year long. Didn't bother me too much with how the snow tires acted in the summer months, and I just didn't want to hassle with changing them over.

Figure I can get a couple years on the all-seasons before I need to buy the snow tires. This time around though, I may swap them when the seasons change.