Need some snow tire info.

[fleetus macmullitz]

I'm looking for a set of snows for my daughters 2005 Mercury Sable. She lives near Buffalo, NY.

Her budget is really at getting 2 studded snow tires for the front, but I'm hearing from some stores they won't even sell/install just 2, saying its unsafe.

Standard tires on car are 215/60-16's.

I found a set of 4 slightly used Blizzak Revolts 205/65-16's off of a '97 Lexus, for what I think is a very good price... $225.

But Blizzak doesn't make these tires anymore, so any info is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Rick Dorion]

I wouldn't use just two snows. The regular rears will pack with snow and/or not grip and the back of the car will easily come around. Blizzacks are good. If that's what the budget supports and the tires have good tread, then that's what I would do. But make sure there is good tread depth, not just legal tread. You need deep channels. I tried just front snows on a saab and the back came around very fast and unexpectedly. Four snows for your daughter is a smart investment. I use 205/55-16's on our current saab.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Thanks Rick.

I bought her 4 new Blizzaks last year for her old Subaru, but I have no personal experience with them.

I live in NY State also and just bought 4 studded tires to run on a heavy RWD car.

I thought on a FWD car you could get away with running just a set of 2 studded or non-studded snows, but I see your point.

I'll make up the difference if need be if she also believes in going the 4 studded tire route. Last year I read how good the new Blizzaks are in snow, but because of black ice, I've always thought studded snows are the ultimate for stopping power.

[Rick Dorion]

I used to run studded tires but they'd slide a bit on dry roads. I put Cooper snows on my K1500 - what a tank.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Sounds like you could have some fun with that truck in the winter Rick.

I don't like studded snows on dry pavement either of course, but living in a semi-rural area with a lot of wide open spaces, the winds turn roads that are clear into snow covered roads quickly. :(

[ccracin]

Skip,

I'm just outside Pittsburgh, so I know how you feel. In my opinion studs is personal pref. but I would put 4 snows on at a time. I did that on my wife's Grand Am Gt and you would have thought it was AWD. We never did studs, because she was afraid to drive in bad weather anyway. The tires were just in case she got caught. LOL Blizzaks are good, but I have had great luck with Hankook's snow stuff. Much better prices as well. We have 4 I-Pikes on her AWD Outlook. Very sure footed and quiet on dry roads. Just another option. Good Luck.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Thanks for the advice on the Hankook's Chad. :thumbsup:

[tones2SS]

From what I've heard, the Blizzaks work pretty good.
Good luck Skip!!:thumbsup:

[fleetus macmullitz]

From what I've heard, the Blizzaks work pretty good.
Good luck Skip!!:thumbsup:

Thanks fellow Northeastenbrrrr. :D

[AALynch]

I have been DD'ing FWD cars for 7 years now, and my Grand Am with snows on the front was the most unstable car in winters. My DD VW Golf currently has 15" steelies with Firestone Winterforces that I got last winter. They are GREAT in the snow, almost puts too much confidence back to me, I gotta remember to slow down LOL.

I paid something like $475 shipped from tirerack.com with 4 new steelies.

[nvr2fst]

Skip, agreed on installing all four. Although the Blizzacks are nice there hyped up to much by the retailers as the best snow tire out there because most places dont sell a compatible brand against them and the hype.
Of course everybody has there opinions but the WI. snow is no different than NY. Do a search and you'll find what I'm talking about. Plus I've used them all on different co. vehicles. You typically wont see these sitting on the racks. But if the salesman is knowledgeable he'll know the brands.
The Best- Hakkapelita 4
Better the Blizzacks- Goodyear UG500 the Vredestrien Icetrac
Better than Blizzacks- Nokian

These are all non studded legal tires. I just bought the Hakkapelita's for my daughters Mazda 6S, 485.00 mounted/balanced through Tires Plus

[cheezer]

The best and most expensive snow tires are the Nokian Hakkepelita, Hakka 5 in those sizes.

Studded only if you are driving on rural, snow packed roads most of the time.

Next best are Blizzaks and Toyo Observe/Garit. The Toyo's are great if you have real low temperatures : they stay real soft, but take them off early in spring to avoid premature wear.

Winterforce by Firestone is a good budget choice.

All four wheels MUST have snow tires. Tire Rack has a good downsize chart because they realize a narrower tire, with the same height, will do a better job in the snow.

Just speaking from experience here in the great white north,

cheezer

[fleetus macmullitz]

The best and most expensive snow tires are the Nokian Hakkepelita, Hakka 5 in those sizes.

Studded only if you are driving on rural, snow packed roads most of the time.

Next best are Blizzaks and Toyo Observe/Garit. The Toyo's are great if you have real low temperatures : they stay real soft, but take them off early in spring to avoid premature wear.

Winterforce by Firestone is a good budget choice.

All four wheels MUST have snow tires. Tire Rack has a good downsize chart because they realize a narrower tire, with the same height, will do a better job in the snow.

Just speaking from experience here in the great white north,

cheezer

Thanks for all the info Cheezer.:thumbsup:

I'm about to find out about those Firestone Winterforce's. I just bought (4) 235/70-15's studded.

[Rick Dorion]

Great inputs. My Coopers seem better than the Hakkepelita's that came off. My 'test' is my uphill driveway in 2-wheel drive on my K1500! Our Saab had Blizzaks which worked well. But I think they're hyped alot, too.

If I lived on a secondary road, it would be an improvement!

[fleetus macmullitz]

Skip, agreed on installing all four. Although the Blizzacks are nice there hyped up to much by the retailers as the best snow tire out there because most places dont sell a compatible brand against them and the hype.
Of course everybody has there opinions but the WI. snow is no different than NY. Do a search and you'll find what I'm talking about. Plus I've used them all on different co. vehicles. You typically wont see these sitting on the racks. But if the salesman is knowledgeable he'll know the brands.
The Best- Hakkapelita 4
Better the Blizzacks- Goodyear UG500 the Vredestrien Icetrac
Better than Blizzacks- Nokian

These are all non studded legal tires. I just bought the Hakkapelita's for my daughters Mazda 6S, 485.00 mounted/balanced through Tires Plus

Dave², I somehow missed your post before. Tired I guess.

Yes, you guys know your snow in WI :yes:.

Thanks for all the info.

[fleetus macmullitz]

If I lived on a secondary road, it would be an improvement!

:lol:

Sounds like out here.

I chose to test the the Nokians on the V8 AWD Rainier we had on one of the roads marked "seasonal" nearby. Not a good idea. Glad I had some sense (about $.005) to turn around halfway through. It was nasty. :wow: