Blizzak Tires (or equivalent)

[zackcp04]

Do these tires *REALLY* work? I drove my car once in icey/snowy conditions and kissed a guard rail (could have been worse), and put it in my garage the rest of the winter and drove my other car (old, gross POS)

Next winter, I want to be prepared but I don't want to spend money on something that gives a minimal improvement. (I'd rather get a 4x4 Truck)


ALSO, could I use them in the summer too? I don't track race/squeal/brake fast.


Sub note: I live in Ohio.
Sub note#2: I know nothing about cars.

[ninedice]

I used continental extreme winter contacts on my xB and that made a HUGE difference. I even drove them in summer 100+ degree weather and they were fine. That is with a 2400lbs 100hp car tho.

I also drove a friends Matrix XRS that had Blizzaks on it during the winter and they were fantastic on that. He said that they melt in the summer tho but I never witnessed that.

I just ordered Blizzaks for my FR-S yesterday.

[MrAmalto]

Yeah I'd say getting proper winter tires makes a pretty dramatic difference. I used Dunlop Winter Sport M3's over this past winter and have driven in half a foot of snow and ice several times. (I live in Maryland and my FR-S is my DD) The tires work well but the twins are still RWD cars so you'll still need to watch the gas pedal.

[ayau]

Yes. Night and day difference. Everyone would take a RWD with snow tires than an AWD with all seasons.

Buy a second set of cheap winter steelies so you dont need to unmount/mount tires.

[Thrustin]

Winter tires make these cars very capable in the snow. I didn't get stuck once, and felt confident in the car's handling. Get some decent summer tires for the summer though. Driving winter tires in the summer is dumb.

[ayau]

Just FYI, you should switch to winters when the temps drop below 40.

[semowashere]

I bought some wintrac's, they were literally a life-saver in the snow up here in Chicago.

[dem00n]

I wanna say yes, but it's all about driver input during the winter. Wrong throttle inputs, braking too late, excessive use of steering.

If you drive like an ass during the winter, winter tires won't do jack shit.

And yes, i drove in your area of Ohio durning the winter in January, it was snowing for about 8 inches. I came out fine, only got stuck once because i had to poop.

[ZionsWrath]

I'd take this car with snow tires over a a "4x4 Truck" with all seasons.

[drewbot]

Bridgestone Blizzak WS70, Michelin X-ice 3, etc with steel wheels during winter = $800 ish

With steady driver inputs, you'll make it out just fine. You'll get stuck if you drive in snow higher than the clearance of your car, however.

[toyotaAlex]

i bought a set of michelin X-ice 3. made the car the bomb in all the snow that i got this year up in canada

[dvdmzjr]

I had Blizzaks this past season, and was so impressed with their capability. Not flawless, as it's all about how you drive with them. But it's definitely a drastic difference having the winter tires on there.

[buckets]

Michelin X ice Xi3 here. Once you drive a winter on them you'll wonder why you didnt get snow tires sooner and how you survived the previous ones without them.

[dnieves]

The closest thing I bought were four new Continental Exteme Contact DWS for my tC and they were miles ahead of the stock all weather Yokohamas in rain and light snow (felt like a completely different car). If you can't swing snow tire these all weathers are a good plan B.