Winter tires

[jesseps]

I know it is practically the start of Summer in 2 days and I am already thinking of winter

I am just curious, who else will be driving their FR-S in the winter and which tires you planning on using?

[Pbrown]

Originally Posted by jesseps

I know it is practically the start of Summer in 2 days and I am already thinking of winter

I am just curious, who else will be driving their FR-S in the winter and which tires you planning on using?

Blizzaks

[Klinn]

Yup, the FR-S will be my winter beater.

Planning on using the OEM wheels for winter and getting some aftermarket wheels for next summer.

I usually prefer Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires, but if you're in an area of Canada that gets less snow (e.g. GTA) then they're probably overkill. http://www.nokiantires.com/product-group?group=1.01 Of course, in Montreal you're probably more worried about if the city will ever get around to plowing your street.

[RoryTate]

I'll probably be looking at Blizzak WS-70s.

Tirerack has some packages available already (if you can believe that), including a -1 configuration (205/50 R16). I may go this route as it can save some cash at the expense of a taller profile to get the same overall circumference.

Do the Canadian vehicles have TPMS? Buying a 2nd set of rims for winter use will add another $450 or so onto the total price for the TPMS sensors.

[QC-FRS]

Originally Posted by jesseps

I know it is practically the start of Summer in 2 days and I am already thinking of winter

I am just curious, who else will be driving their FR-S in the winter and which tires you planning on using?

Didnt check yet but i'm a big fan of nokian hakkapelitta winter tires!

[fenton]

ya im going to get hakkapelitta 7's with studs from Kal tire.

was quoted 220 a tire for 16/205/55.

I think this light car is going to need all the help it can get

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+7

I had the Hakki R's on my 2011 STi and they were phenomenal while still being quite responsive in comparison to normal winters.

[dadream]

I've heard of the Nokian tires too... might go for that. Think i'll take my frs for a little roadtrip in the states... i heard we can get high end tires for way cheaper over there.

[QC-FRS]

Originally Posted by dadream

I've heard of the Nokian tires too... might go for that. Think i'll take my frs for a little roadtrip in the states... i heard we can get high end tires for way cheaper over there.

If you do that check were they are manufactured. A friend of mine did buy tires in the states but had to pay a truckload of Duty/taxes cuz the tire he bought came from japan and there is no free trade... It might have change but i would check before....

[alexmotrix]

I personnally will go the same way I went on my AE86 and my girlfriend's civic, studdded Continental contiicecontact http://www.conti-online.com/generato...cecontact.html

[QC-FRS]

[QUOTE=alexmotrix;267324]I personnally will go the same way I went on my AE86 and my girlfriend's civic, studdded Continental contiicecontact

Never used studded tire before... Any drawback/disadvantage ? With front wheel drive always had the feel that with good tire there was no need of studs but maybe with FRS it would be useful...

Nway i will think more about it somewhere in october! For now its just fun to enjoy the summer in that car!

[Enemies]

Studded tires damage roads and are actually banned in some places.

[roddy]

It will be Blizzaks for me, no question. Probably WS70s. Handling will suffer a bit, but the grip in snow/ice/slush conditions is phenomenal. I've tried many winter tires over the years, and keep coming back to the Blizzaks. Michelin X-ice are also good. They trade off some bad weather (snow) traction for a little better handling in the dry. We tried a set of Nokian winter tires on my wife's Acura this past winter, and I would say that they are very similar in performance to the Michelins...at a better price.
I will also be picking up a set of cheap winter steelies to go with the snows. I will go with a maximum 16" size. If a 15" wheel will clear the brakes, that's what I will use. The reason for this is twofold... More sidewall will help with grip in the nasty stuff, and as the wheel size gets smaller, tires get a LOT less expensive. This car is low and light...it will need all the help it can get.

[Bu-Tang]

food for thought, Federal WS2 are actually really good winter tires and they go for a really good price. the last 2 years i was a mechanic they were newer tires to the market, but after install and testing them on numerous different cars there the real deal. again they sell at very very good prices and search them up. I go up to the mountains all winter for snowboarding and winter here in calgary has been pretty shitty over last 2 years not once did i ever get stuck but more importantly very very good traction even on minus 30 days.

again just food for thought, im no longer a mechanic but still in contact with my old tire distributors and they still sell high volumes every winter for the WS2's search it up!

cheers

[s2kdrew]

really depend what kind of car is it, since we have a FR car, a good snow tires is a must even with traction control. I had Hankook ipike W409 and Dunlop on my S2000 before, but still sliding around no matter what(but had lots of fun doing drifting and donut on snow), even light snow on the highway can feel the car starting to loose grip once go over 50km/h. Even my friend had Michelin pilot alpine on his 135i, tires gone in two years and still stuck in snow. I am also a tech and I am using hankook on my family members car, since they are front wheel drive, they have no problem.

This car I would down size the tires to 16" and get maybe Dunlop, dunlop is very expensive but I know people driving IS350 and 535i and they had good comment on it.

[Khyron686]

IF I decide to get aftermarket/race wheels, then the stock 17s will be the winter wheels. I checked some tire prices and the cost isn't much more for 205s over the 16s.

I wish we could have gotten the factory 16s then buy new summers.

[s2kdrew]

but the thicker the sidewall of the tire, the better traction you will gain on the snow. Thats why we are considering downsize it to 16".

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by s2kdrew

but the thicker the sidewall of the tire, the better traction you will gain on the snow. Thats why we are considering downsize it to 16".

Never heard that one before. Generally skinnier (width) tires work better as they bite in instead of turning into skis/snowboards. And you generally can get skinnier tires on smaller rims. But a 205 on a 16 and a 205 on a 17 will have the same grip regardless of the sidewall depth (unless you let a bunch of air out or something which you might do on a sand dune).

[CoryUyede]

I've owned Blizzak, icebears, Yoko W drives, Dunlop winter sport and Pirelli Sottozeros.

Blizzaks are overrated, and wear WAY too fast.

Dunlop Winter sport 3D's are awesome. The W.drives and Pirelli's are almost as good but you can save a little $$ with those choices.

Falken also has a NEW Eurowinter tire out..Crazy agressive pricing, my brother liked em alot. I'd rather spend less on a japanese tire then get price gouged by a korean mfg.

The Hankooks were a letdown.

Also, for winter tires, consider stepping down to a 205/45/17 or something. something narrower than stock would be ideal.

[ubersoph]

Blizzaks for extremes and Ice Racing.

Continentals for the rest

[Future]

which one are made in the usa?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by CoryUyede

I've owned Blizzak, icebears, Yoko W drives, Dunlop winter sport and Pirelli Sottozeros.

Blizzaks are overrated, and wear WAY too fast.

Dunlop Winter sport 3D's are awesome. The W.drives and Pirelli's are almost as good but you can save a little $$ with those choices.

Falken also has a NEW Eurowinter tire out..Crazy agressive pricing, my brother liked em alot. I'd rather spend less on a japanese tire then get price gouged by a korean mfg.

The Hankooks were a letdown.

Also, for winter tires, consider stepping down to a 205/45/17 or something. something narrower than stock would be ideal.

blizzaks are not overrated

they are improperly used

for heavy snow and ice conditions they are a really good tire

not if you're in the city where you only ever really drive on "snow" 1 day out of the year. Asphalt and mild temperatures destroy them rather quickly, yes.

It's a purpose built tire and most don't use it accordingly.

[pastuch]

Best I've ever had are X-Ice 2s. Terrific durability, performance, noise and handling balance. Great in deep snow. The new X-Ice 3 is out this winter and I'll probably get them.

I also had General Altimax and they were a let down. very very noisy