Snow/Ice winter tires

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

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#687 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a 2008 Ford Focus that won't break the bank [shanghaikid] by xwesx Oct 01, 2009 (8:39 am)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Sep 30, 2009 9:37 pm) Well, considering that commute, I would certainly rule out Blizzak tires. They wear very fast - especially on dry roads (which you are likely to encounter more often than icy ones, I expect, in Eastern Washington!). I hear that Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tires have excellent longevity, but i do not know from personal experience. I am actually putting my first set of studless snow tires on in a couple weeks. But, you know, I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, so I do not see much in the way of icy/snowy roads. I am installing Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice; I have no idea what to expect, but the price was reasonable ($107 for R16s), reviews seem positive, and I have had very good luck with other Goodyear tires. While they are spendy, I had a set of Assurance TripleTreds on my '96 Outback a few years ago and used them year-round. Those tires were flat-out amazing on ice and excellent in snow. By far the best all-season I had ever experienced. They also wore very well (had an 80,000 mile treadwear warranty) and were superb on dry and wet roads. For a dry, mild climate like yours, a tire like that may be a better investment than a studless snow tire since they wear so quickly on dry roads. Replies to this message: altair4 (Oct 02, 2009 6:10 am)
#688 of 708 Thanks and one more thing by shanghaikid Oct 01, 2009 (2:48 pm)
Thanks for the tips I'll keep the goodyear and Michelin Tires in mind I live in Kennewick Wa and I commute to Toppenish WA for work everyday Perfection Tire seems to have the best deals in town, they said around $450 for studded and $400 for studless Schwab quoted me at around $500 for either studless or studded Everyone else was $500 or more.... I also have TPMS sensors on my foucs tires, I'm not planning to have those on my snow tires, that just means that light will be on all the time... Replies to this message: xwesx (Oct 01, 2009 3:47 pm) hammerhead (Oct 02, 2009 9:35 am)
#689 of 708 Re: Thanks and one more thing [shanghaikid] by xwesx Oct 01, 2009 (3:47 pm)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Oct 01, 2009 2:48 pm) I also have TPMS sensors on my foucs tires, I'm not planning to have those on my snow tires, that just means that light will be on all the time... That's right, and no big deal as long as you keep an eye on your tire pressure (which is a good idea anyway!). They were quoting you around $400 for just tires, or for a complete package (includes rims?). The TPMS sensors are in the valve stems on the rims, so that is not an issue at all if you are just swapping out tires. If the package includes rims, well, that really is a screamin' deal! I would definitely recommend a studless tire for your area. As dry as the roads tend to be, your studs will be nubs in no time and do nothing to add to your traction when you really need it. Plus, you would have to deal with the major noise created by them on your long commute. Now that I think about it, you might consider Green Diamond tires; they are quite effective on ice and they are not adversely affected by dry roads. Studless snow tires, due to their soft tread compounds, tend to wear quickly on dry roads. Some, like Blizzaks, also feel "squishy" on dry pavement and/or in warm weather. I am not sure about the Green Diamond availability in your area.
#690 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a 2008 Ford Focus that won't break the bank [xwesx] by altair4 Oct 02, 2009 (6:10 am)
Replying to: xwesx (Oct 01, 2009 8:39 am) Nokian WR G2's might fit the bill. They wear pretty well and have performed well for me in the hills of western Pennsylvania.
#691 of 708 Thanks again by shanghaikid Oct 02, 2009 (8:12 am)
I usually check my tire pressure a few times a month manually anyway Yea these price quotes were for without rims. Here are a few totals with wheels Schwab Stud-less $708 with wheels Toyo tires Steve's Tire Factory Kelly Snow Trackers Stud-less with wheels and mounting $677 Perfection Tire Winterforce Stud-less $681 Might be a better deal to use my old snow tires which fit the focus and track down some steelies, although if they only have one or two more seasons, I should either pay the $50 and get them mounted on my focus wheels or just pony up the money and get new snow tires At these prices if I plan to buy new ones I might as well just buy everything from Tirerack.com. Anyone have an idea on a ballpark estimate, how much someone would charge to put the snow tires with wheels on? Thanks again for all the help. Replies to this message: xwesx (Oct 02, 2009 8:33 am)
#692 of 708 Re: Thanks again [shanghaikid] by xwesx Oct 02, 2009 (8:33 am)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Oct 02, 2009 8:12 am) Kelly Snowtrakker? DON'T get those! They are worthless.... really.... Even studded, they are pretty pathetic. Perhaps, if you can get them for $40 a tire, they might seem worthwhile, but I have used those on two vehicles and they are no better than a decent all-season.
#693 of 708 Re: Thanks and one more thing [shanghaikid] by hammerhead Oct 02, 2009 (9:35 am)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Oct 01, 2009 2:48 pm) Ahhh... Kennewick. The banana belt. Spokane here. Sounds like you have some choices. I need to get some steel wheels for my snows so I don't have to remount twice a year. Cheers! Paul
#694 of 708 Costco by shanghaikid Oct 05, 2009 (3:21 pm)
Saw that Costco had Michelin - X-Ice® Xi2, gave me a great price installed, sure you pay a little more for the name but reviews point out its a much better tire then some of what I've been looking at. Tirerack doesn't seem to be any cheap with the Xi2's, they want 93 a tire plus $44 to ship it. I'll have to pay at least $40-$50 to get them installed somewhere Thanks again for all of your help guys Replies to this message: hammerhead (Oct 05, 2009 5:33 pm) xwesx (Oct 06, 2009 9:02 am) xwesx (Oct 06, 2009 9:39 pm) and 8 more...
#695 of 708 Re: Costco [shanghaikid] by hammerhead Oct 05, 2009 (5:33 pm)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Oct 05, 2009 3:21 pm) Michelin's a good tire. Keep it upright this winter Cheers! Paul Replies to this message: xwesx (Oct 06, 2009 9:02 am) xwesx (Oct 06, 2009 9:39 pm) xwesx (Oct 12, 2009 11:06 am) and 5 more... dona83 (Oct 22, 2009 10:40 am) and 1 more...
#696 of 708 Mixing and matching by lilengineerboy Oct 05, 2009 (6:17 pm)
We have an '05 Subaru Legacy wagon and I have an used set of WRX wheels for it. Those WRX wheels have Hankook W404 snow tires, 2 are like new, 1 is used but serviceable, and one seems to have a lot of wear on the outside edge. Can I get 2 new Hankook W409 (the tire that came after the 404) and run those in the back with the W404s in the front? How do you do it when you have one pair more worn than the other pair? I know that the tires have to be close in diameter and wear so the differentials don't freak out, and I think I have that covered if I get 1 new pair, but I don't want one end to have dramatically more traction than the other. Any thoughts? Replies to this message: mz6greyghost (Oct 06, 2009 5:23 am)