2014 Winter Tire Reminder
2014 Winter Tire Reminder
It's that time for my yearly winter tire reminder. We have had flurries here Indiana already and a handful of places in the U.S. have experienced measureable snowfall.
Popular tires for moderate to low snow climates, that see more plowed roads than highways, tend to be the Bridgestone Blizzak LM60, their new LM-32, and Dunlops Winter Sport 4D. Both are considered very equal to each other in snow traction and in dry road handling/cornering and were the tires of choice in this category. The Bridgestone's move the balance closer to the snow traction side while the Dunlop does slightly better in dry. Both an ideal choice for someone having trouble deciding between the high performance snow tires that sacrifice a lot of snow traction and the Q/R rated snow tires that trade off too much in handling and dry grip.
Persons living in more rural areas or heavy snow climates lean toward the Bridgestone Blizzak WS lines or Michelin X-Ice Xi3. I've noticed when driving both that the added tread depth of the Blizzak helps deep snow traction on those early unplowed mornings. The X-Ice is a bit happier on ice surfaces and tends to handle a bit tighter on clear roads due to the 2/32nd's difference in depth compared to the Blizzak.The WS80, Bridgestone's newest member to the Blizzak family, will be replacing the popular WS70 this year. From our ice rink testing I can tell you it's already better than the original WS70 and out cornered/accelerated the Yokohamas, Michelin, and Goodyear. Steering response is more crisp also.
Some more cost effective players to the game such as Yokohama's iceGUARD iG52c did well against tires like the General Altimax Artic. However, it is fairly new so jury is still out on long term results.
I would not wait too long, it's better to be proactive than reactive. Ordering early when most products are still available lets you choose what you want to buy rather than being forced to settle for what is left over. Best to be ready with products in hand before it snows so that you can put them on when you are ready, rather than waiting for a shipment to arrive after the first snow. We should have most inventory available now to mid November. Tires and wheels purchased together are mounted and balanced at no charge to make changeover easy and we do offer the oem pressure sensors.
You can view full winter tire and wheel packages at our winter upgrade garage.
Remember to mention "Neal ext 4624" in the comments section of your online order. This way I can review the order and process it faster. As always you may call me direct also
Popular tires for moderate to low snow climates, that see more plowed roads than highways, tend to be the Bridgestone Blizzak LM60, their new LM-32, and Dunlops Winter Sport 4D. Both are considered very equal to each other in snow traction and in dry road handling/cornering and were the tires of choice in this category. The Bridgestone's move the balance closer to the snow traction side while the Dunlop does slightly better in dry. Both an ideal choice for someone having trouble deciding between the high performance snow tires that sacrifice a lot of snow traction and the Q/R rated snow tires that trade off too much in handling and dry grip.
Persons living in more rural areas or heavy snow climates lean toward the Bridgestone Blizzak WS lines or Michelin X-Ice Xi3. I've noticed when driving both that the added tread depth of the Blizzak helps deep snow traction on those early unplowed mornings. The X-Ice is a bit happier on ice surfaces and tends to handle a bit tighter on clear roads due to the 2/32nd's difference in depth compared to the Blizzak.The WS80, Bridgestone's newest member to the Blizzak family, will be replacing the popular WS70 this year. From our ice rink testing I can tell you it's already better than the original WS70 and out cornered/accelerated the Yokohamas, Michelin, and Goodyear. Steering response is more crisp also.
Some more cost effective players to the game such as Yokohama's iceGUARD iG52c did well against tires like the General Altimax Artic. However, it is fairly new so jury is still out on long term results.
I would not wait too long, it's better to be proactive than reactive. Ordering early when most products are still available lets you choose what you want to buy rather than being forced to settle for what is left over. Best to be ready with products in hand before it snows so that you can put them on when you are ready, rather than waiting for a shipment to arrive after the first snow. We should have most inventory available now to mid November. Tires and wheels purchased together are mounted and balanced at no charge to make changeover easy and we do offer the oem pressure sensors.
You can view full winter tire and wheel packages at our winter upgrade garage.
Remember to mention "Neal ext 4624" in the comments section of your online order. This way I can review the order and process it faster. As always you may call me direct also
Great! PM me your order number, haven't seen one come through yet.
Correct, the 32's replaced 60's. A bit better wear and handling compared to the previous generation.
Correct, the 32's replaced 60's. A bit better wear and handling compared to the previous generation.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Thanks Neal,
Ordered my 235/40R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 XL today for my stock rims- 2010 Exo X SE
Went with the 235's over the 245's as my street maybe get plowed 24 hours after a snow event, 48 hours if its 6" plus.
As a side note on Tire Rack my shop called around to its 2 suppliers and the cheapest I could get them was $222 each before mounting and balanced and more than a week before they could be delivered at my Auto Shop.
Tire Rack with the 2 year protection thrown in (I live in PA which is pot hole central) and paying for shipping came to $203 each and will be here in less than 4 days.
So buying from Tire Rack saved $$$ and with the savings mounted & balanced equates to the cost of just the tires ordering from my Auto Shop.
Oh, did I say it thanks Neal and evolutionm
Ordered my 235/40R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 XL today for my stock rims- 2010 Exo X SE
Went with the 235's over the 245's as my street maybe get plowed 24 hours after a snow event, 48 hours if its 6" plus.
As a side note on Tire Rack my shop called around to its 2 suppliers and the cheapest I could get them was $222 each before mounting and balanced and more than a week before they could be delivered at my Auto Shop.
Tire Rack with the 2 year protection thrown in (I live in PA which is pot hole central) and paying for shipping came to $203 each and will be here in less than 4 days.
So buying from Tire Rack saved $$$ and with the savings mounted & balanced equates to the cost of just the tires ordering from my Auto Shop.
Oh, did I say it thanks Neal and evolutionm
Last edited by FSD; Nov 20, 2014 at 04:33 PM.
lol
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: PA
I've had these just over a week now:
Not a ton of snow yet. We did get a dusting, enough to cover the roads on a mountain that I go over on the way to work. It varies between a 9-12% grade. There was an accident on it, a pickup with a trailer ran off the road coming down (understeer). He was ok, his truck was not. Anyway, because of the accident I had to stop, in the snow, on the uphill side, at night, around 20F. Car got started again without any issues. No traction control lights, no spinning, no noises... just like it was dry. The SUV in front of me spun a lot and barely got started. Fairly impressed so far.
Dry handling seems comparable to an all season tire, probably a little better but it's hard to say since I've never had all seasons on the evo. It's better than other cars I've driven in the winter on dry roads, so it works! I do miss the advans... but I also miss summer! Cold with no snow is boring.
Ride comfort seems fair, no worse than the OEM tires, maybe even a little better.
Not a ton of snow yet. We did get a dusting, enough to cover the roads on a mountain that I go over on the way to work. It varies between a 9-12% grade. There was an accident on it, a pickup with a trailer ran off the road coming down (understeer). He was ok, his truck was not. Anyway, because of the accident I had to stop, in the snow, on the uphill side, at night, around 20F. Car got started again without any issues. No traction control lights, no spinning, no noises... just like it was dry. The SUV in front of me spun a lot and barely got started. Fairly impressed so far.
Dry handling seems comparable to an all season tire, probably a little better but it's hard to say since I've never had all seasons on the evo. It's better than other cars I've driven in the winter on dry roads, so it works! I do miss the advans... but I also miss summer! Cold with no snow is boring.
Ride comfort seems fair, no worse than the OEM tires, maybe even a little better.
Not a ton of snow yet. We did get a dusting, enough to cover the roads on a mountain that I go over on the way to work. It varies between a 9-12% grade. There was an accident on it, a pickup with a trailer ran off the road coming down (understeer). He was ok, his truck was not. Anyway, because of the accident I had to stop, in the snow, on the uphill side, at night, around 20F. Car got started again without any issues. No traction control lights, no spinning, no noises... just like it was dry. The SUV in front of me spun a lot and barely got started. Fairly impressed so far.
Dry handling seems comparable to an all season tire, probably a little better but it's hard to say since I've never had all seasons on the evo. It's better than other cars I've driven in the winter on dry roads, so it works! I do miss the advans... but I also miss summer! Cold with no snow is boring.
Ride comfort seems fair, no worse than the OEM tires, maybe even a little better.
Dry handling seems comparable to an all season tire, probably a little better but it's hard to say since I've never had all seasons on the evo. It's better than other cars I've driven in the winter on dry roads, so it works! I do miss the advans... but I also miss summer! Cold with no snow is boring.
Ride comfort seems fair, no worse than the OEM tires, maybe even a little better.
If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free.
Evolving Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: PA
Been around 2000 miles now, so far I've driven in light snow (just barely covering the roads) 2 or 3 times, no real snow fall to speak of sadly. Also played around in a parking lot early in the morning. Didn't feel like the car even noticed the snow was there. Same goes for colder rain/wet roads. It's a little strange doing 55MPH and feeling completely in control like it's almost dry while you pass others going as slow as 20MPH or less.
It's easy to forget the roads are "bad" with these, which I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I parked in a parking lot and got out of the car and nearly slipped, didn't even know I parked on ice until I got out of the car.
Side note: WS80 no longer appears on the tirerack site for the evo... not sure why...