REVscene Automotive Forum - Winter tire discussion for grown ups thread.

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Does $15 tire and mount deals still exist ?

If so where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.w *// (Post 8812751)

Does $15 tire and mount deals still exist ?

If so where?

Costco was the last place to do it for $15. Don't know if they still do, although I'd imagine right now with how busy most tire places are, that you're not gonna have much luck.

I think $25/tire, is the new rate. Seems to be pretty standard at most tire places.

I didn't get a chance to update regarding my Nokian Hakka's earlier this week.

Things were great for the first few snowfalls earlier in December, but they finally met their match on Monday night. This is when the heavy snowfall turned into a wet rain/snow and everything was starting to melt. My car was street parked facing uphill on a small side street. I had gotten out of the spot on previous occasions, but with 4-6 inches of slushy wet snow on top of a thin layer of compacted snow-ice, they couldn't get any grip whatsoever. I ended up at a 45 degree angle trying to get into the driving lane of the street. Spun my tires for a good 5 minutes, even with kitty litter thrown on. A nice guy came by and helped me back into the parking spot.

So it seems that the Hakkas are good on dry/wet snow, but once you add ice and slush and a hill, best to stay home!

Costco was $15 mount and balance when le gf bought her Blizzaks there in October.

Still exists. And to add to the thread, the WS80 is unstoppable on the Coq and with the past few Vancouver dumps we've been having. Very confidence inspiring.

any tips on snowbergs in wheel wells?

I'm running 225/40/18 front and 255/40/18 for my rear tires

I'm looking to get Blizzak WS80 tires.

What sizes do you guys recommend for front and rear? I checked Bridgestone's website, but it's very hard to get a full size list of the WS80

Thanks in advance

Their website has a list of sizes.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 | Bridgestone Tires

Just have to hit the show tire details

Spoiler!

I would go for 215/55R18 95T T BW for all 4s.

However not all sizes are stocked equally.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndLeSS8 (Post 8812789)

What would you guys pick? Michelin - X-Ice Xi3 or Bridgestone - Blizzak WS80? The WS80 is about $10 cheaper per tire.

Assuming both manufacturers have $70 rebates.

I think either one is fine. I would worry about whether you can get either one in stock for the size you want. They are both latest generation of tires from competing manufacturers.. so in terms of compound and tread patterns they represent the latest generation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestTea (Post 8812896)

What would you guys pick? Michelin - X-Ice Xi3 or Bridgestone - Blizzak WS80? The WS80 is about $10 cheaper per tire.

Assuming both manufacturers have $70 rebates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestTea (Post 8812896)

What would you guys pick? Michelin - X-Ice Xi3 or Bridgestone - Blizzak WS80? The WS80 is about $10 cheaper per tire.

Assuming both manufacturers have $70 rebates.

Can't go wrong with either - I have the WS80s on my TSX and they've been a real champ in these conditions.

Car & Driver ran a comparo last year and preferred the X-Ice: Winter-Tire Test: Six Top Brands Tested, Compared ? Feature ? Car and Driver

Quote:

Originally Posted by yray (Post 8812780)

any tips on snowbergs in wheel wells?

Other than to clear them out regularly so you can turn?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HonestTea (Post 8812896)

What would you guys pick? Michelin - X-Ice Xi3 or Bridgestone - Blizzak WS80? The WS80 is about $10 cheaper per tire.

Assuming both manufacturers have $70 rebates.

I'd personally go with the WS80's, I've had them on previous cars and they are great tires. My son has them on his BB6 and they've been good to him thus far. We're in Calgary right now and they get a great workout in our weather conditions.

They are both pretty damn good, Ive used both but I would give a slight edge to XI3. I have them on my BMW and never got stuck once, barely any slipping when braking. Im still using the same tires since we had that snowstorm in 09

Here is the main reason I would get the Michelin's over the Bridgestone. The Bridgestone once worn down to 50% are basically useless as a winter tire since all the winter compound has worn out. I've owned a set of blizzacks and they are amazing for the first half of its tread life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saveth (Post 8812955)

That might be true of older Blizzak tires but I don't think the newer tires have that issue. The WS80 should be good down to 4/32nds but like all snow tires they lose effectiveness when they hit 6/32nds simply because of lack of tread depth.

All winter tires do that.. the winter compounds are only the first few 1/16 then it is all season compound, it is the balance between tread agressiveness, compount and also mileage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saveth (Post 8812955)

Last time I checked the X Ice was topping all the comparison charts. Generally speaking though, anything in the top 10 of those lists is gonna be good.

Does the tire gradually get worse overtime?

For example a winter tire that has 10/32 ... but it's been sitting since 2011

Yes also the compounds advance over time.

The Science of Tire Aging

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.w *// (Post 8813161)

Does the tire gradually get worse overtime?

For example a winter tire that has 10/32 ... but it's been sitting since 2011

Apart from the recent ice, the DWS-06 handled this winter just fine. I don't think anything really helps with ice apart from tire studs.

I was thinking of winter tires but I wanted to go through one winter with the DWS to see how they do.

Also, if I were to get winters for next year.... what's recommended for a 275/35/19? I can't find many results and does going down a size in width matter at that point?

Is the DWS new? usually M+S tires are fine for their first season.. once the tread wears down is when trouble starts. Remember new tires starts around 10/32, 5/32 some places won't pass you on safety inspections.. 2 is absolute minimum.

I would go either skinner, higher aspect ratio or just get 18 or lower if your car takes it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by !LittleDragon (Post 8813836)

Also, if I were to get winters for next year.... what's recommended for a 275/35/19? I can't find many results and does going down a size in width matter at that point?

Quote:

Originally Posted by godwin (Post 8813847)

DWS-06 is a new refresh, the tires are probably a year old, tops

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuHua (Post 8813878)

DWS-06 is a new refresh, the tires are probably a year old, tops

I have the DWS (originals) and they are kinda useless after the first season if the snow is more than an inch thick. I've half way done with them and the rubber is now 5 years old and even the wet weather traction is pretty toast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by supafamous (Post 8813887)

The DWS has lettering on the tread that tells its effectiveness based on the conditions. Once the "S" or "W" layer wears out, they lose their traction on snow and wet weather respectively.