Winter Tires - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**Si8jy8HN** · 08-10-2009, 09:37 PM

I usually just buy all season, but this year I'm thinking about buying a set of winter and a set of summer tires.

How many years do winter tires usually last? I assume that I'd swap to the winter tires around mid November and then take them off late February and go back to the summer tires.

I found some Michelin's for like $430 shipped after $130 in mail-in rebates. And a new set of summer tires for like $340 shipped after rebates.

**Dynasty** · 08-10-2009, 09:40 PM

Winter tires only really wear out on paved roads. If your area is constantly covered by snow then you get many many years out of it. It's hard to give you an answer but it's really worth getting winters if you're in an area that snows a lot and for the length of time you have them, they really do pay for themselves.

I have two sets of rims for each of my cars (Summer / Winter). Can't complain. Going on 3 years now on my DD ( winter tires ). I'm no pro but I think Hakkapellis are great, Blizzaks and Michelin X-ice. My parents have some not so popular brand though and they haven't had problems in the past winter. They bought their tires for half the price of mine lol, I'm rockin Blizzaks.

**Vemnagelignc** · 08-10-2009, 09:48 PM

Most modern compounds may be OK but I know from experience (and a written off car) that the "Ice Compound" tyres suffered from a deteriation of the compound over a short period of time - one to three years - and are then very slippery on damp/wet road surfaces with no warning of break away.
Been quite a few serious crashes due to these compound tyres down here and they're now illegal.

**EbrsaRynleot** · 08-10-2009, 09:59 PM

Most modern compounds may be OK but I know from experience (and a written off car) that the "Ice Compound" tyres suffered from a deteriation of the compound over a short period of time - one to three years - and are then very slippery on damp/wet road surfaces with no warning of break away.
Been quite a few serious crashes due to these compound tyres down here and they're now illegal.

These Michelin X-Ice Xi2's have a 6 year warranty on them, or until tread wears down. I'd hope they don't have any issues after just 3 years. I'm sure there would be lawsuits.. since that's what we're good at in the U.S.

I'll probably just buy 2 sets of tires and swap them around in the winter/summer. It would be kinda nice to have a spare set of rims to go with em. But yeah.. I'm not spending that much.

It's a 30 minute highway drive to work each morning, and when the roads are covered with snow it really sucks. The plows don't always get to it very quick. We don't have constant snow coverage, but Ohio can get some pretty crappy weather. I'll just have to remember not to lay on the gas when it's a nice day in the winter. Don't wanna wear em down prematurely. :P

**triardwonvada** · 08-10-2009, 11:42 PM

What type of car are you throwing these on?

Beware tire warranties... You have to have documented proof that you've had them rotated and balanced within THEIR intervals, and that you have had the alignment checked at THEIR intervals. You slip up once? Boom, it's gone. Also, they only provide a pro-rating towards your new tires.

Also, while Tire Rack is great for brands that local shops don't carry, check with the local shops first for those that do carry them. Even if they don't have them in stock, they can typically have them in within a week. (For free, you don't pay shipping) Plus, many shops will not charge you to install the tires, balance them and check your alignment. Even if they do, it will be cheaper... If you buy them from somewhere else, they will typically charge you more than if you bought them from them. Plus many shops will rotate and balance them for free if you bought them from them.

So while you'll have to pay taxes, typically they're cheaper to buy locally; even if they can't match the exact price of Tire Rack.

**Si8jy8HN** · 08-11-2009, 12:52 AM

So while you'll have to pay taxes, typically they're cheaper to buy locally; even if they can't match the exact price of Tire Rack.

205/50R17

I checked a few places, and even walmart is more expensive. Hell, the cheapest tire in my size that Walmart sells is $140. Similar tires run me like $30 or more each locally. I made the mistake of asking about tires at the local dealership once. I think the lowest price was like $190.

I probably won't worry about the warranty. Michelin is a pretty good brand, and I doubt I'll have issues with their manufacturing quality that won't be apparent right away.

It only costs me like $25 or less to swap an entire set of tires if I bring my own. $100 a tire seems to be the best I can do on this PT Cruiser.

For example, the Exalto AS at Walmart is $230. $170 at tire rack... The local pricing always sucks. I wonder if I could just go pick up my tires from their warehouse. :P It's not that far away.. a few hours tops.

Don't need an alignment check as I just had a full alignment done last month.

$876 before shipping and rebates for 8 tires. $90 to ship em, but a total of $180 in rebates. So $796 for a full set of winter tires, and a full set of summer tires.

**CymnMaync** · 08-11-2009, 02:46 AM

hmm

/strokes beard.

ever thought of simply deflating the tyres slightly ?

**casinobonusnolimit** · 08-11-2009, 05:59 AM

hmm

/strokes beard.

ever thought of simply deflating the tyres slightly ?

no

- I use blizzaks on my 2005 GTO, 400hp, 6-speed, Wisconsin winter. no problems at all, i was simply AMAZED at how i could take off on a nasty road when everyone else is slippin and sliding trying to get traction. you honestly will not see the true benefit until you have them - and then you will always have them. dedicated snow tires with AWD or 4WD is nearly unstoppable, lol (relatively speaking :P )

**Breevereurl** · 09-10-2009, 09:48 AM

Sense these tires will now be around twice as long, and be unused for half of that, wouldn't there need to be a worry of just age of the tire?

Do tires expire or start to dry out over a period of time?

**triardwonvada** · 09-10-2009, 11:24 AM

I love the Blizzaks, which are what I wrapped my EVO and Eclipse's tires in... They were tanks through the snow since both were AWD, though the Eclipse plowed the road if the snow was too deep.

Right now I'm a big fan of the Dunlop M3 Winter Sports for my FWD Altima Coupe, which have been revised and there is now a M3 3D... I'll likely purchase those in the next few weeks. I usually get two winters out of them, but I also average 3-4K miles/month.

My all-season tires I have on right now are Bridgestone Turanza Serenitys... They're a grand-touring tire, so a higher-end compromise between performance and comfort. I can still drive "spiritedly" with next to no road noise! [thumbup]

As for storage, as long as you dry them off before storage, and keep them in a cool, dry place you should never have that problem.

**espabamar** · 09-10-2009, 12:01 PM

Do tires expire or start to dry out over a period of time?

They can if you don't take care of them.

As long as he's not keeping them outside in the weather, and using rubber conditioners before storage, they could go years without showing any signs of dry cracking.

Personally, I stay with all-season tires. We don't get enough snow where I live to warrant separate winter tires. I'm currently using Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires. And I have been extremely pleased with them. They are highly rated on Tire Rack.

**shkarpet$** · 09-10-2009, 12:09 PM

having Blizzak LM-25 installed on my WRX tuesday, can't wait..1st time driving my WRX on winter with winter tires

**Si8jy8HN** · 09-10-2009, 08:45 PM

My all-season tires I have on right now are Bridgestone Turanza Serenitys... They're a grand-touring tire, so a higher-end compromise between performance and comfort. I can still drive "spiritedly" with next to no road noise! [thumbup]

I was considering those. I'm tempted to just try out a good all season tire and see how well it handles our weather. I was looking at the Kumho's as well, but tire rack is out of stock of them. They seem to be on par with each other.

The weather here is just so wacky. Never know when it'll snow. Then you might get rain. We can get some pretty crappy snow at times. Plus I'm cheap. If I can get away with an all season tire I will. My cruiser handled decently in the snow in January when I bought it. My current tires, sumitomo's, suck hard. I hydroplane a lot.

**Woziwfaq** · 09-11-2009, 12:42 AM

All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that.

Anyway, winter tires are not only better where there's snow and ice on the road. The rubber compound is softer, so grip on cold roads will be better than any summer tire when temperature falls below ~10 celsius.

Furthermore, winter tyres have better traction but also better sideways-grip which is essential in curves, breaking, everything.

Last thing, don't forget that using winter tyres means that you don't add wear on the summer tyres during that time, i.e. you'll use them longer. So in essence, long-term, it's not more expensive to buy a set of winter tyres.

Deflating summer tyres to give'em more grip in the winter? LMAO give me a break... [rofl] That's the English way of preparing for winter!

**triardwonvada** · 09-11-2009, 12:55 AM

All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that.

Anyway, winter tires are not only better where there's snow and ice on the road. The rubber compound is softer, so grip on cold roads will be better than any summer tire when temperature falls below ~10 celsius.

Furthermore, winter tyres have better traction but also better sideways-grip which is essential in curves, breaking, everything.

Last thing, don't forget that using winter tyres means that you don't add wear on the summer tyres during that time, i.e. you'll use them longer. So in essence, long-term, it's not more expensive to buy a set of winter tyres.

Ummm... are you just generalizing all all-season tires, or are you speaking in reference to the off-the-shelf variety that are dirt cheap or come from the factory on your car?

A GOOD pair will do just fine year-round...

**espabamar** · 09-11-2009, 02:22 AM

All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that.

Then you've never used a good pair of All-Season tires then.

**StampNews** · 09-11-2009, 02:31 AM

In my country, or location anyway, we have a sea climate with mild winters I choose not to change tires at all.

A few days of frost, with (for us extreme) -16C teps and a few days of light snowfall with on occasion heavy snowfall.

Gotta drive carefully anyway with temps at and below freezing point.. I think in Germany it is a law/rule to have winter tires or else one can get a fine.

**Vemnagelignc** · 10-10-2009, 02:23 PM

There's always the snow chain option

**Woziwfaq** · 10-14-2009, 06:17 PM

Then you've never used a good pair of All-Season tires then.

...because there is no such thing.

Check this out as an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y

Bear in mind you'd get the same kind of result if you compare them to summer tires on warm, dry roads. Not even mentioning wet roads...

Why settle for crap (yes I mean crap) tires and drive all year round with suboptimal traction/grip/breaking performance when you can have 1 set of summer tires and 1 set of winter tires that will get worn pretty evenly (considering you use each set only +/-50% of the year)??

**N9u9ie4p** · 10-14-2009, 07:07 PM

I use:

Michelin X-Ice North
- Practically no difference to noise levels. (over summer tires)
- Great grip on ice and snow

But then again they are studded tyres so it might not be legal over there. I don't know.

08-10-2009, 09:37 PM	#1
Si8jy8HN Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 485 Senior Member	Winter Tires I usually just buy all season, but this year I'm thinking about buying a set of winter and a set of summer tires. How many years do winter tires usually last? I assume that I'd swap to the winter tires around mid November and then take them off late February and go back to the summer tires. I found some Michelin's for like $430 shipped after $130 in mail-in rebates. And a new set of summer tires for like $340 shipped after rebates. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-10-2009, 09:40 PM	#2
Dynasty Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 419 Senior Member	Winter tires only really wear out on paved roads. If your area is constantly covered by snow then you get many many years out of it. It's hard to give you an answer but it's really worth getting winters if you're in an area that snows a lot and for the length of time you have them, they really do pay for themselves. I have two sets of rims for each of my cars (Summer / Winter). Can't complain. Going on 3 years now on my DD ( winter tires ). I'm no pro but I think Hakkapellis are great, Blizzaks and Michelin X-ice. My parents have some not so popular brand though and they haven't had problems in the past winter. They bought their tires for half the price of mine lol, I'm rockin Blizzaks. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-10-2009, 09:48 PM	#3
Vemnagelignc Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 538 Senior Member	Most modern compounds may be OK but I know from experience (and a written off car) that the "Ice Compound" tyres suffered from a deteriation of the compound over a short period of time - one to three years - and are then very slippery on damp/wet road surfaces with no warning of break away. Been quite a few serious crashes due to these compound tyres down here and they're now illegal. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-10-2009, 09:59 PM	#4
EbrsaRynleot Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 543 Senior Member	Most modern compounds may be OK but I know from experience (and a written off car) that the "Ice Compound" tyres suffered from a deteriation of the compound over a short period of time - one to three years - and are then very slippery on damp/wet road surfaces with no warning of break away. Been quite a few serious crashes due to these compound tyres down here and they're now illegal. These Michelin X-Ice Xi2's have a 6 year warranty on them, or until tread wears down. I'd hope they don't have any issues after just 3 years. I'm sure there would be lawsuits.. since that's what we're good at in the U.S. I'll probably just buy 2 sets of tires and swap them around in the winter/summer. It would be kinda nice to have a spare set of rims to go with em. But yeah.. I'm not spending that much. It's a 30 minute highway drive to work each morning, and when the roads are covered with snow it really sucks. The plows don't always get to it very quick. We don't have constant snow coverage, but Ohio can get some pretty crappy weather. I'll just have to remember not to lay on the gas when it's a nice day in the winter. Don't wanna wear em down prematurely. :P Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-10-2009, 11:42 PM	#5
triardwonvada Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 448 Senior Member	What type of car are you throwing these on? Beware tire warranties... You have to have documented proof that you've had them rotated and balanced within THEIR intervals, and that you have had the alignment checked at THEIR intervals. You slip up once? Boom, it's gone. Also, they only provide a pro-rating towards your new tires. Also, while Tire Rack is great for brands that local shops don't carry, check with the local shops first for those that do carry them. Even if they don't have them in stock, they can typically have them in within a week. (For free, you don't pay shipping) Plus, many shops will not charge you to install the tires, balance them and check your alignment. Even if they do, it will be cheaper... If you buy them from somewhere else, they will typically charge you more than if you bought them from them. Plus many shops will rotate and balance them for free if you bought them from them. So while you'll have to pay taxes, typically they're cheaper to buy locally; even if they can't match the exact price of Tire Rack. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-11-2009, 12:52 AM	#6
Si8jy8HN Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 485 Senior Member	So while you'll have to pay taxes, typically they're cheaper to buy locally; even if they can't match the exact price of Tire Rack. 205/50R17 I checked a few places, and even walmart is more expensive. Hell, the cheapest tire in my size that Walmart sells is $140. Similar tires run me like $30 or more each locally. I made the mistake of asking about tires at the local dealership once. I think the lowest price was like $190. I probably won't worry about the warranty. Michelin is a pretty good brand, and I doubt I'll have issues with their manufacturing quality that won't be apparent right away. It only costs me like $25 or less to swap an entire set of tires if I bring my own. $100 a tire seems to be the best I can do on this PT Cruiser. For example, the Exalto AS at Walmart is $230. $170 at tire rack... The local pricing always sucks. I wonder if I could just go pick up my tires from their warehouse. :P It's not that far away.. a few hours tops. Don't need an alignment check as I just had a full alignment done last month. $876 before shipping and rebates for 8 tires. $90 to ship em, but a total of $180 in rebates. So $796 for a full set of winter tires, and a full set of summer tires. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-11-2009, 02:46 AM	#7
CymnMaync Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 509 Senior Member	hmm /strokes beard. ever thought of simply deflating the tyres slightly ? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-11-2009, 05:59 AM	#8
casinobonusnolimit Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 439 Senior Member	hmm /strokes beard. ever thought of simply deflating the tyres slightly ? no - I use blizzaks on my 2005 GTO, 400hp, 6-speed, Wisconsin winter. no problems at all, i was simply AMAZED at how i could take off on a nasty road when everyone else is slippin and sliding trying to get traction. you honestly will not see the true benefit until you have them - and then you will always have them. dedicated snow tires with AWD or 4WD is nearly unstoppable, lol (relatively speaking :P ) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-10-2009, 09:48 AM	#9
Breevereurl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 427 Senior Member	Sense these tires will now be around twice as long, and be unused for half of that, wouldn't there need to be a worry of just age of the tire? Do tires expire or start to dry out over a period of time? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-10-2009, 11:24 AM	#10
triardwonvada Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 448 Senior Member	I love the Blizzaks, which are what I wrapped my EVO and Eclipse's tires in... They were tanks through the snow since both were AWD, though the Eclipse plowed the road if the snow was too deep. Right now I'm a big fan of the Dunlop M3 Winter Sports for my FWD Altima Coupe, which have been revised and there is now a M3 3D... I'll likely purchase those in the next few weeks. I usually get two winters out of them, but I also average 3-4K miles/month. My all-season tires I have on right now are Bridgestone Turanza Serenitys... They're a grand-touring tire, so a higher-end compromise between performance and comfort. I can still drive "spiritedly" with next to no road noise! [thumbup] As for storage, as long as you dry them off before storage, and keep them in a cool, dry place you should never have that problem. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-10-2009, 12:01 PM	#11
espabamar Join Date Dec 2005 Posts 437 Senior Member	Do tires expire or start to dry out over a period of time? They can if you don't take care of them. As long as he's not keeping them outside in the weather, and using rubber conditioners before storage, they could go years without showing any signs of dry cracking. Personally, I stay with all-season tires. We don't get enough snow where I live to warrant separate winter tires. I'm currently using Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires. And I have been extremely pleased with them. They are highly rated on Tire Rack. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-10-2009, 12:09 PM	#12
shkarpet$ Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 354 Senior Member	having Blizzak LM-25 installed on my WRX tuesday, can't wait..1st time driving my WRX on winter with winter tires Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-10-2009, 08:45 PM	#13
Si8jy8HN Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 485 Senior Member	My all-season tires I have on right now are Bridgestone Turanza Serenitys... They're a grand-touring tire, so a higher-end compromise between performance and comfort. I can still drive "spiritedly" with next to no road noise! [thumbup] I was considering those. I'm tempted to just try out a good all season tire and see how well it handles our weather. I was looking at the Kumho's as well, but tire rack is out of stock of them. They seem to be on par with each other. The weather here is just so wacky. Never know when it'll snow. Then you might get rain. We can get some pretty crappy snow at times. Plus I'm cheap. If I can get away with an all season tire I will. My cruiser handled decently in the snow in January when I bought it. My current tires, sumitomo's, suck hard. I hydroplane a lot. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-11-2009, 12:42 AM	#14
Woziwfaq Join Date Dec 2005 Posts 367 Senior Member	All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that. Anyway, winter tires are not only better where there's snow and ice on the road. The rubber compound is softer, so grip on cold roads will be better than any summer tire when temperature falls below ~10 celsius. Furthermore, winter tyres have better traction but also better sideways-grip which is essential in curves, breaking, everything. Last thing, don't forget that using winter tyres means that you don't add wear on the summer tyres during that time, i.e. you'll use them longer. So in essence, long-term, it's not more expensive to buy a set of winter tyres. Deflating summer tyres to give'em more grip in the winter? LMAO give me a break... [rofl] That's the English way of preparing for winter! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-11-2009, 12:55 AM	#15
triardwonvada Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 448 Senior Member	All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that. Anyway, winter tires are not only better where there's snow and ice on the road. The rubber compound is softer, so grip on cold roads will be better than any summer tire when temperature falls below ~10 celsius. Furthermore, winter tyres have better traction but also better sideways-grip which is essential in curves, breaking, everything. Last thing, don't forget that using winter tyres means that you don't add wear on the summer tyres during that time, i.e. you'll use them longer. So in essence, long-term, it's not more expensive to buy a set of winter tyres. Ummm... are you just generalizing all all-season tires, or are you speaking in reference to the off-the-shelf variety that are dirt cheap or come from the factory on your car? A GOOD pair will do just fine year-round... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

09-11-2009, 02:22 AM	#16
espabamar Join Date Dec 2005 Posts 437 Senior Member	All-season tires are crap in the winter and crap in the summer. Will never buy anything like that. Then you've never used a good pair of All-Season tires then. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

09-11-2009, 02:31 AM	#17
StampNews Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 458 Senior Member	In my country, or location anyway, we have a sea climate with mild winters I choose not to change tires at all. A few days of frost, with (for us extreme) -16C teps and a few days of light snowfall with on occasion heavy snowfall. Gotta drive carefully anyway with temps at and below freezing point.. I think in Germany it is a law/rule to have winter tires or else one can get a fine. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-10-2009, 02:23 PM	#18
Vemnagelignc Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 538 Senior Member	There's always the snow chain option Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-14-2009, 06:17 PM	#19
Woziwfaq Join Date Dec 2005 Posts 367 Senior Member	Then you've never used a good pair of All-Season tires then. ...because there is no such thing. Check this out as an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y Bear in mind you'd get the same kind of result if you compare them to summer tires on warm, dry roads. Not even mentioning wet roads... Why settle for crap (yes I mean crap) tires and drive all year round with suboptimal traction/grip/breaking performance when you can have 1 set of summer tires and 1 set of winter tires that will get worn pretty evenly (considering you use each set only +/-50% of the year)?? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

10-14-2009, 07:07 PM	#20
N9u9ie4p Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 394 Senior Member	I use: Michelin X-Ice North - Practically no difference to noise levels. (over summer tires) - Great grip on ice and snow But then again they are studded tyres so it might not be legal over there. I don't know. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote