Snow/Ice winter tires

708 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

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#601 of 708 Re: - [hammerhead] by mz6greyghost Feb 28, 2008 (4:28 am)
Replying to: hammerhead (Feb 27, 2008 3:00 am) It's not only the tread that determines a tires useful life, but the age as well. The recommended maximum "shelf life" for a set of NEW tires is 5 years old, because the rubber compound begins to break down, leading to cracks in the sidewall and within the tread. I personally wouldn't keep tires longer than 5 years, whether they're full of tread or completely bald. This is especially important with winter tires, since it's the compound that assists in deep-snow traction as well as the tread. I'm on my 4th season with my current winter tires (Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2s), and even though I've got over 60% tread left, I can still sense a little more slip, and a reduced traction limit compared to new. I plan on replacing them for next winter. If I were you, for the safety of you, your passengers, and the vehicles around you, I'd recommend retiring those 8-year-old winter tires. I'm sure you've got your $$$$ worth out of them. Plus you'll be surprised at just how much better winter tire technology has improved in that time.
#602 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [kyfdx] by ntxgal Aug 18, 2008 (9:19 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 24, 2008 8:43 am) I swear by Bridgestone Blizzaks myself. They grip on ice like you wouldn't believe! Replies to this message: shipo (Aug 18, 2008 11:22 am) mz6greyghost (Aug 18, 2008 12:43 pm) krzyss (Aug 19, 2008 3:50 pm) ray80 (Aug 27, 2008 5:48 am)
#603 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [ntxgal] by shipo Aug 18, 2008 (11:22 am)
Replying to: ntxgal (Aug 18, 2008 9:19 am) Wait until the tread is about one third gone, you'll be amazed at how bad those tires quickly become. Replies to this message: mz6greyghost (Aug 18, 2008 12:43 pm) krzyss (Aug 19, 2008 3:50 pm) ray80 (Aug 27, 2008 5:48 am)
#604 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [shipo] by mz6greyghost Aug 18, 2008 (12:43 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Aug 18, 2008 11:22 am) Wait until the tread is about one third gone, you'll be amazed at how bad those tires quickly become. Quoted for agreement. I'm lucky of I can get two full seasons of adequate snow traction with Blizzaks, compared to Dunlop and Michelin which usually give me at least four full seasons.
#605 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [shipo] by krzyss Aug 19, 2008 (3:50 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Aug 18, 2008 11:22 am) I also read that Blizzaks (not LM the high performance ones) drive poorly on anything but ice and snow, especially dry roads. If you drive mostly on unplowed roads then WS-60 or 50 should be your choice otherwise look for high performance winter tires. They drive better on dry and wet, similarly on snow and slightly worse on pure ice. Choose tires for your condition. Krzys
#606 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [shipo] by ray80 Aug 27, 2008 (5:48 am)
Replying to: shipo (Aug 18, 2008 11:22 am) Wait until the tread is about one third gone, you'll be amazed at how bad those tires quickly become I agree, the special soft rubber compound I believe is only the first half of the tread, the rest is regular winter compound. There are other that fall into this catagory also. To me its like buying half a winter tire .
#607 of 708 - by dudleyr Aug 27, 2008 (7:37 am)
Blizzaks are not all that bad. It is the first 60% not the first half, and no winter tire does that well once the tread starts to get low, so you should really replace at about 20% anyway. Do other winter tires last longer than the Blizzak - probably. Is it twice as long - no.
#608 of 708 "Is it twice as long - no" by krzyss Aug 27, 2008 (10:48 am)
I am not sure. Wear depends on temperature and surface and how car is driven. It is not hard for me to imagine that during particular warm winter WS-60 would wear twice as fast as LM-25 (both Blizzaks). Krzys
#609 of 708 Old snow tires. by adkcar Sep 29, 2008 (4:11 pm)
I have a set of 14" Blizzaks, with quite a bit of tread still on them, that have been sitting in my cellar since the winter of 2002-03. I am wondering if they are still safe to use since I thought I read that "old" tires could be a hazard, due to the rubber disintegrating. Thanks. Replies to this message: ray80 (Sep 30, 2008 3:55 am) kiawah (Sep 30, 2008 4:37 am) ray80 (Sep 30, 2008 5:56 am)
#610 of 708 Re: Old snow tires. [adkcar] by ray80 Sep 30, 2008 (3:55 am)
Replying to: adkcar (Sep 29, 2008 4:11 pm) old tires Replies to this message: kiawah (Sep 30, 2008 4:37 am) ray80 (Sep 30, 2008 5:56 am)