winter tires

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:46 pm

First off, i propose a new forum specifically for tires. they don't fit the discriptions of the other forums lol.

anyways, i was wondering if anyone had used falken Ziex ZE-912's in the snow. they're the only all seasons i can find that are zr rated in my price range for winter tires. around here, we seem to see more ice than snow lately, and not really very much of either, but i still need to get to work the few days it might crap this winter. last year in the sxt i had problems getting out of my complex with the stock all-seasons, even using 2nd gear at @18 psi tire pressure to struggle up the decent sized hill (that never gets plowed before i go to work at 5am) right outside the entrance. i know i don't have a chance with the high-po summer BFG's on the car right now, not to mention they instruct not to use the tires in sub-freezing conditions. well, those <32 temps are coming quick... help me out!! any other tire suggestions for the winter? gotta be a 205/50/17 and z rated, preferably less than $500/4. even that much is a ton to spend on tires that will get used maybe 3 1/2 months a year.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:58 pm

I found a few at tire rack that are all season's but I don't know how they fair in the snow.

I would read the reviews.

Kumho Ecsta ASX
Avon Tech M550 A/S

The cheapest winter tire is the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, but it's V rated and $124 each.

Why do you need a z rated winter tire. As long as you keep it under 149 mph the v rated tire will be fine.

Post by **Canada** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:55 am

Agreed with Frack on that one.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Z rating fo a snow tire, also, as far as the Falken goes, its more of a all season except snow.

Even the worst snow tire performs better in cold conditions then the best all season. The rubber compoubds are much softer, and therefore remain flexible even in extreme cold. An all-season gets very hard and not pliable, and causes you to slip and slide.

Check out Discount Tire Direct, and see what they have to offer...

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:40 am

You will get much more bang for your buck in terms of traction in winter conditions by going with a winter tire rather than all season.

All season tires try to be good at all things: wet, dry, snow, summer & winter conditions. It is very difficult to build all those capabilities into a multi-purpose tire so more often than not the winter capabilities tend to suffer.

OverDrive418 · Post by **OverDrive418** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:13 am

Who are you, Tommi Makinen?! What the hell do you need a Z rated tire in the snow for?! (I need to see some footage)

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:41 am

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterTire ... earch=true
You can also see what you like and see if you can get them locally...

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:55 pm

lol i have no plans of doin 150 in the snow, but i'd like to have the piece of mind to know i can when the road's dry. i'm a speed freak and a half. i didn't throw myself in the deepest debt hole i've ever been in to drive 55.

considering the softer compound of winter tires, they'll wear a ton faster when there's no snow, right? it'd be nice to get 3 winters out of a set.

Post by **Canada** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:45 am

I currently run Nokian Hakka II's, and I have been going on 5 seasons with the same set. They are run from Nov.1-Apr.1 every year.

Take a look for a local Nokian tire place, the WR is a nice tire...

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:17 pm

those sound like swedish tires lol. i'll have to check them out.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:37 am

I have a set of Hankook Icebears for winter that I am itching to put on in a couple months. SRT's definately need winter tires when there is snow.

60trim · Post by **60trim** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:42 am

or anycar with boost and FWD combo.

aperson · Post by **aperson** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:48 pm

I'd seroiusly consider getting studded tires then swapping them out for summer tires in the spring. It costs more but you get the confidence knowing that you're covered no matter what. And once the studs are wore down, you can take the studs out with a screwdriver and have some real good summer tires.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:47 pm

If you go with the studded route, make sure studs are legal in your state. And also check the dates in which they have to be taken off if applicable.

MoxHair · Post by **MoxHair** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:55 pm

winter? Snow? huh?

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:05 pm

Canada wrote:Take a look for a local Nokian tire place, the WR is a nice tire...

I've currently got a set of WR's, absolutely awesome tire. A little on the pricey side, but worth every penny. They're better than most snow tires (they are also snow tire rated), but you can run them all year. I have a set of Falken 512's for track days, couldn't imagine running with those in the winter. Before hand I had some Uniroyal Tigerpaw touring HR's. Also a great all around tire for the money, handled the snow and ice very well.

The other problem is you're asking for conflicting requirements from your tire. You're not going to get a z rated tire that's going to be anywhere decent in the snow and ice. On the same token, you'll never get a snow or all season that will perform as good as a z rated tire. If you want extreme performance all year you'll need to match the tires for the season. Otherwise you're left with a compromise.

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 2:24 pm

Here is a site that specializes in snow tires:

http://www.snowtire.info

I just my snow tires put on yesterday and had the oil changed... should be good until spring now considering it takes me about 6 months to put on 5000 k ( 3125 miles ).

My snows are Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow with about 10/32nd's of tread depth left. They came with the car, so we'll see how well they operate over the winter... believe me we get plenty of the white stuff around here and further north where I spend time.

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:10 pm

the 912 if i am not mistaken is the new 512 replacement. It def. will do fine in the rain and maybe slush but not snow or ice. I had the 512s and i had to change over to my stock set of tires and rims with winter tires in the front. That might be your best chance also. Just get some tires mounted on steelies for the winter. I've seen a couple srts do the same thing up here on campus.

also id go with Canada's suggestion on the tires. I am sure he knows snow tires pretty well being in Ontario and all.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:02 pm

"Just get some tires mounted on steelies for the winter."

Steelies FTW! I believe tire rack sells packages, the price with the steel wheels is hard to beat. I think they even come mounted and balanced. Just bolt 'em on and go. The only con that I know of with having spare set for winter is finding storage for 4 tires. Unless all yer neighbors are inbred, then just chuck 'em in the yard till spring! LOL! Getting ready to slap the ugly(er) wheels on myself.

Post by **Diablo0** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 3:10 pm

Just buy my tires/steelies and then have them remounted on some PT steelies lol. They've only been through one winter season lol

03sxt · Post by **03sxt** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:55 pm

Diablo0 wrote:Just buy my tires/steelies and then have them remounted on some PT steelies lol. They've only been through one winter season lol

Time to start trying to sell those again, huh, Jason? I wish I would've had that money. Those tires and wheels look great for a winter package!