Snow tires...wow...

[sklimo]

Originally Posted by tbox

Just to chime in, when I first got my blizzaks they were extremely slippery and the wheel spun at every stop light after a light rain, but after about a hundred miles or so they've gotten much better, and they totally kick butt on snow and ice.

Thank you for this!! I just got my Blizzaks put on today and they are slippery as hell. Good to know this is normal.

[MTCRX]

Check the tire pressures. Tire shops tend to fill them to the maximum. Reset them to the recommended pressure, they may ride and feel a little better, but they are still snow tires, not performance tires. You really should feel comfortable driving on them though. I think part of it is many people are not used to driving rear wheel drive cars, they handle differently, but manageably in the snow and slick. Watch out for spray deicer on the roads too, it is greasy.

[Evil Jesus]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

To all people in this thread who bought some cheap shit and whine - you get what you paid for. Top line snow tires from Michelin/Nokian/Conti will give you a bit more snow/ice grip, and a ton more dry grip. That's where the improvements have been lately.

I don't see anybody whining.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I don't see anybody whining.

I see them.

[Evil Jesus]

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Or don't. Especially LM60s are atrocious in the wet.

To all people in this thread who bought some cheap shit and whine - you get what you paid for. Top line snow tires from Michelin/Nokian/Conti will give you a bit more snow/ice grip, and a ton more dry grip. That's where the improvements have been lately.

Should probably compare those tires to the LM-32 instead of the LM-60. The LM-60 is a generation behind the competitors in that TireRack article and in reviews at the time, were rated better than the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D which are of the same generation as the LM-60.

Either way, my advice stands - get a Winter Performance Tire instead of a dedicated Winter Tire.

[ScionFR-S]

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I have General Altimax Arctics and they feel like I'm driving on firm Jell-o when in the dry. Traction light constantly, squirmy at speed, all that jazz. They really come alive in the snow though. Better than running it off into the woods, right?

i have these also , loud as hell, can't go over 70 without losing traction and feeling not in control.. but hey they get you out of some crazy shit lol snowmobile at its finest

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Either way, my advice stands - get a Winter Performance Tire instead of a dedicated Winter Tire.

Those are fine, if one doesn't have to drive thru the worst snow/ice conditions in a BRZ/FR-S. They would be inadeqaute on ice for this car, IMO.
That said, I have PA4s on my STI.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Foobar

For those shopping around for Winter Tires that won't feel like Jell-o on dry pavement, consider getting a Winter Performance tire like the Blizzak LM series. I've owned both the WS and the LM series and while the WS is ideal for regions with winter-long snow/ice on the ground, the LM is far superior for areas that stay dry for the most part.

I've been running WS3D performance winters for 3 winters now and they're great in regards to tread squirm/squishy sidewalls. However, it's magically 60 degrees today and they SUCKED. Traction control and ABS out the ass on an on-ramp today due to it, would have been a huge problem if there other cars on the cloverleaf.

So they're great when it's cold, but don't think they'll perform in warmer weather. Just a warning to those who might not know it, even if it seems obvious to those more experienced with Jell-O tires.

[Nevermore]

I guess I'm the only one that bought the Hankooks? It makes me a little nervous no one else bought them, but the reviews I read were pretty good, and they were about mid-priced so they didn't cost too much. So far they handle wet and dry decently. Should snow and ice tonight (even though it's 50 out right now) so we'll see how they handle. I have high hopes that I didn't buy the wrong tire.

Edit: To OE, it was 62 this morning on my drive into work and raining the whole way. I didn't push them too hard, but these Hankooks did pretty well in the warm and rain. Not a single squirm, even at 77 on the highway.

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Nevermore

I guess I'm the only one that bought the Hankooks? It makes me a little nervous no one else bought them, but the reviews I read were pretty good, and they were about mid-priced so they didn't cost too much. So far they handle wet and dry decently. Should snow and ice tonight (even though it's 50 out right now) so we'll see how they handle. I have high hopes that I didn't buy the wrong tire.

Edit: To OE, it was 62 this morning on my drive into work and raining the whole way. I didn't push them too hard, but these Hankooks did pretty well in the warm and rain. Not a single squirm, even at 77 on the highway.

I have the i*cepts too on the reccomendation of a tire expert friend of mine (he works at a local tire shop, guy has been working with rubber for decades). I havent noticed anything more than a bit more body roll on corners. But then again, this is what I expected. First big test comes tomorrow with the snows we are due.

P.S. The ones I got were #3 on the list of Consumer Report's tire reccomendations (take that as you will). According to my buddy, Blizzaks used to be amazing compared to other snow tires, but now lag some of the other performers out there.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I've been running WS3D performance winters for 3 winters now and they're great in regards to tread squirm/squishy sidewalls. However, it's magically 60 degrees today and they SUCKED. Traction control and ABS out the ass on an on-ramp today due to it, would have been a huge problem if there other cars on the cloverleaf.

So they're great when it's cold, but don't think they'll perform in warmer weather. Just a warning to those who might not know it, even if it seems obvious to those more experienced with Jell-O tires.

The real message here - is keep the nannies on when driving in conditions+tires you've not experienced before. Short of icy, they will likely save your ass from bigger trouble. On ice, they will save you if your ice grip is adequate.

[MTCRX]

I think the Hankooks are comparable to some of the other good snow tires. I have used them and they seem good to me. The deeper, small tread blocks on snow tires are meant to move and deform to get better traction, that is part of the squirmy feel too.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

I have the i*cepts too on the reccomendation of a tire expert friend of mine (he works at a local tire shop, guy has been working with rubber for decades). I havent noticed anything more than a bit more body roll on corners. But then again, this is what I expected. First big test comes tomorrow with the snows we are due.

P.S. The ones I got were #3 on the list of Consumer Report's tire reccomendations (take that as you will). According to my buddy, Blizzaks used to be amazing compared to other snow tires, but now lag some of the other performers out there.

He's on ipikes, not i*cepts. The former are I&S, the latter are like performance winter, and decent ones at that.