Winter Season Tires!!

[00superbonne]

what do you perscribe for the best performance/ traction along the winter durations..
i just got my bridgestone blizzak low pro 17's on my bonne.!

what do you guys run?

[repinS]

General Altimax Arctic, slightly skinnier 215/60R16 instead of 225/60.



They are a rebranded Gislaved Nord Frost 3, a Swedish brand under the Continental umbrella (which General is also under). This spec tire used to be the one you'd get from a Volvo dealer. The current Gislaved is a Nord Frost 5. And based on the reviews, they're both really killer awesome tires - the Altimax Arctic is also a ton cheaper. We have yet to see any real snow so I'll reserve judgement on their performance, but on the highway they are pretty quiet. Sidewall squirm is terrible and the car wants to wander into the next lane, but this is to be expected from a soft rubber compound on a winter tire.

Bigger shot of them on winter wheels:

Knobby

[crash93ssei]

Running some Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60s in a 215/65/16 with gunmetal gray painted crosslace rims off of my old '93 SSEi on our '03 SSEi. Absolutely LOVE these tires

[00superbonne]

i agrree, they seem to perform very well in icy/slushy conditions, paired with the traction control, this car seems like nothing but throwin on the e brake will kick this car sideways.. thus far, i'm not gunna push it, but this is the first winter experiance behind the wheel of this car, hoping to get a bit of a feel for it before conditions get any worse.

[00superbonne]

unfortunately im still riding on my 17" swoopies.. gunna make sure they get washed weekly though!!!

[repinS]

Running some Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60s in a 215/65/16 with gunmetal gray painted crosslace rims off of my old '93 SSEi on our '03 SSEi. Absolutely LOVE these tires

We just scored a cheap set of WS-50's for mom's Altima on craigslist. Put them on yesterday before the big snowfall and she was loving it this morning

[00superbonne]

its hammering down pretty good eh?!
apparently she's gunna be all gone tomorrow, calling for rain in my area..

guarenteed it just more frozen precipitation!
pfft. weather forecasters

[J Wikoff]

I've got Firestone Winterforce's on the G8 for the winter. They've kept it pretty well planted, starting their second winter. Best of all, they were the cheapest Tirerack had in the right size.

[viper8907]

I've got Firestone Winterforce's on the G8 for the winter. They've kept it pretty well planted, starting their second winter. Best of all, they were the cheapest Tirerack had in the right size.

I have the same thing on my 2000, third winter for me, and I couldn't be more happy with them. I got them for $400 out the door. While the Blizzaks have better ratings, these are very good for the money. Between my tires and the Stabilitrak, I have a hard time getting the rear end to slide around, even when I'm trying to do it.

[93 SSE 4 ME]

Michelin x-ice x2s on the Bonne, Blizzak WS-60s on my wife's TL. Either one will get you through just about anything.

Mark

[crash93ssei]

I think that the main thing to remember here is that any winter / snow specific tire will do a million times better then any all season tire will in the snow. I looked at the Winterforce when I got my Blizzaks and they were cheaper, but I called the Tire Rack help line and they said that a studdless winter tire ( Blizzak ) will do a little better then a studdable tire without running studs ( Winterforce ). Looking back now, I am sure that I would have been just as happy with the Winterforce, especially over any all season tire.

[viper8907]

I think that the main thing to remember here is that any winter / snow specific tire will do a million times better then any all season tire will in the snow. I looked at the Winterforce when I got my Blizzaks and they were cheaper, but I called the Tire Rack help line and they said that a studdless winter tire ( Blizzak ) will do a little better then a studdable tire without running studs ( Winterforce ). Looking back now, I am sure that I would have been just as happy with the Winterforce, especially over any all season tire.

I heard the same thing. I drive 80% in ND during the winter, and was tempted to get studs in mine, but I do venture back home in the MN sometimes where it's illegal. I'd say if it comes down to money, get the Winterforce, but if you can afford Blizzaks, go for them.

[repinS]

I was considering the Winterforces too. But I was reading up that they're great in deeper snow, but not as good on ice. So I went with the Generals, which seemed to be a more balanced design. Blizzaks or X-ice would have been a LOT more money and I don't think it was a case of "you get what you pay for".

[Jim W]

Put em on my Oldsiac Grand Alero... translation CompG w/16" Aurora OE alloy rims (car looks like an Alero on roids.)

[BonneMe]

+1 for the Michelin X-Ice Xi2's. Haven't left me stuck yet, although now that I have over 300lb/ft of torque on tap down low... It's more about self control than grip!'

I run 205's instead of the OEM 225 fitment.

[00superbonne]

luckily these tires came with the deal on the car, so it was as much as just getting them thrown on and i was good to go..

[Ol' Timer]

I'm running the Michelin X-Ice on the VW and Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 on the Vibe (both Q-rated tires). When they prevent me from sliding into the some immovable object in the snow (than regular all-season tires), that's my definition of a high performance snow tire. Don't leave home (in the winter) without them. Ya never know!!

[repinS]

Ah yes, the "Q" 99mph speed rating.

I wouldn't want to test that out. There's NO way I'm going over 75-80 with mine. Sidewalls are just plain too flexy.

[Peterg22000]

well I put my X-Ice Xi2's on the G8 only had time to do the front at first and on the first snow fall I had awsome grip on the front for turning , but even with not being on the gas at all the back end still wanted to step out on me. I'll now never listen to the argument that all seasons are "good enough" all four are on now, and I'm ready for the snow and ice.

[brianj]

Running Blizzak LM-22's 235/50R17's since last winter on all for corners mounted on my 20 spokes. I had used my Michelin MX4V all seasons in previous years and they were terrible in snow. These Blizzaks bite into the snow like there's no tomorrow! They sell for $177 each on Tirerack. Got mine off Craigslist for $300!