2014 Snow Tires

[92snowmachine]

Being a mechanic in Colorado I have the benefit of driving multiple subarus with snow tires on the same day. Direct comparison on outbacks I would say blizzak is the best non studded tire as far as grip but feal soft when driving in warmer weather. The Michelin has slightly less traction but a better feel. The goodyears make a lot of noise but grip ok. The continentals grip more like an all season and wear quickly. If going with studs arctic claws by cooper grip great but are very noisy, these are very cheap though. Hankook is noisey driving slow but quiet on the highway due to offset stud pattern.
Sometimes we have so many outbacks we have to write the plate number on the key tag because if you write maroon outback we might have three. Maroon outback for head gaskets might be two.

[ddmd]

Thanks for the practical comparison. My son and his SVX are at college in Northern PA, so more snow and ice. Seems like the Blizzak WS-80 or the Michelin X-Ice might be best for his SVX. My daughter is Southeast of me, with less snow. I'm thinking that the Blizzak LM-32, Dunlop winter 4D, or Pirelli SottozeroIII (higher performance tire but a little less snow/ice traction) might be better for her SVX, especially with the way she drives (spirited). Have you driven any cars with the LM-32's?

Originally Posted by 92snowmachine

Being a mechanic in Colorado I have the benefit of driving multiple subarus with snow tires on the same day. Direct comparison on outbacks I would say blizzak is the best non studded tire as far as grip but feal soft when driving in warmer weather. The Michelin has slightly less traction but a better feel. The goodyears make a lot of noise but grip ok. The continentals grip more like an all season and wear quickly. If going with studs arctic claws by cooper grip great but are very noisy, these are very cheap though. Hankook is noisey driving slow but quiet on the highway due to offset stud pattern.
Sometimes we have so many outbacks we have to write the plate number on the key tag because if you write maroon outback we might have three. Maroon outback for head gaskets might be two.

[Crazy_pilot]

Originally Posted by ddmd

That's a crazy amount of snow. Which Blizzaks do you have? How is the handling/ride/noise on drier roads?

Those were the Revo1's, which are discontinued now. I got 4 winters out of them (including a couple Snow-X seasons), gave them to a friend who got another year out of them, and then sold them for $100. My only complaint was dry weather handling. I had to make a sharp lane change to avoid some debris and it felt like the tires tried to move over but the car didn't come along. My suspension was pretty shot at the time though - leaking/clunking struts, broken end links...

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

My only complaint was dry weather handling. I had to make a sharp lane change to avoid some debris and it felt like the tires tried to move over but the car didn't come along.

That can be a characteristic of the winter tires aimed more at continual driving on snow/ice covered roads. Their rubber is quite soft to provide extra grip in those conditions, and can feel 'squirmy' on dry pavement -- even moreso when the temperatures rise.

I used to look at the speed ratings to tell the difference between the types of winter tires but that doesn't work as well anymore because the speed rating of the pure ice/snow tires has gone up. In Michelin, the Alpin PA3 is the 'performance winter' tire I prefer in my region' the X-Ice Xi3 is the one aimed at folks who do more ice/snow driving. In Bridgestone, LM-32 is performance, WS-80 is ice/snow. TireRack appears to separate them into 'performance winter' and 'studless ice & snow' categories.

[Sean486]

I'm happy with my General Altmax Actic. I'm sure all the tires you have all mentioned are superior but these are decent performers for a low cost snow tire. They have been nice to have going up the snowy backroads around the ski ares.

[ddmd]

Hi Sean. I'm also considering those although I'm leaning towards the higher speed rated tires. I've heard that they are very good in snow. How would you rate their dry and wet road handling?

Originally Posted by Sean486

I'm happy with my General Altmax Actic. I'm sure all the tires you have all mentioned are superior but these are decent performers for a low cost snow tire. They have been nice to have going up the snowy backroads around the ski ares.

[Sean486]

They feel softer and a bit spongier than my summer tires but otherwise they are fine on both wet and dry roads. I've never noticed any issues. They are quiet on the highway as well. However I will say that I do not generally drive the car aggressively.

You can come take it for a ride if you want, I think we are close to each other.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Sean486

I'm happy with my General Altmax Actic. I'm sure all the tires you have all mentioned are superior but these are decent performers for a low cost snow tire. They have been nice to have going up the snowy backroads around the ski ares.

I don't know how 'superior' one brand might be over another. I was putting a ton of highway miles on my cars back when I bought those, and tires (and brakes!) were not an item I wanted to skimp on. For an occasional driver, I would definitely consider something that saved me a few $ and still gave decent performance. It sounds like those Generals might be just that.

[bheinen74]

The consistant thing I hear, is the Bridgestone are the best traction, when they are new. Whne they wear 1 season, they are about done, and when the tread is about 1/2 to only 1/3rd gone, they are like hard hockey pucks, all the soft tread is gone when they still show a lot of tread left.

I have heard, consistantly, that Michelin, Nokian, etc,the tread is soft all the way til the tire is bald, so you can get 5 years or so out of them before they become hockey pucks.

looking for used snow tires, I would stay away from Blizzacks, and go with the other brands.

[ddmd]

Again, thanks for the input from everyone. All of my kids are getting winter tires for a Christmas present now that they're traveling everyday for jobs and college. Hopefully it will help keep them safe. My tire guy is giving me a great deal on the Michelin-Xice $103 per tire incl installation, so they're going on the 2 SVX's and a Prius. I think I'll try the generals on the Volvo Cross Country. Thanks again.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by bheinen74

The consistant thing I hear, is the Bridgestone are the best traction, when they are new. Whne they wear 1 season, they are about done, and when the tread is about 1/2 to only 1/3rd gone, they are like hard hockey pucks, all the soft tread is gone when they still show a lot of tread left.

I haven't researched lately but yeah, that's the way Blizzaks are made. Winter rubber down to the first set of wear bars, then a harder compound for year-round use below that. I think the idea is that half-worn tread on a snow tire = a snow tire that won't do very well in snow, so why bother. Blizzaks have two sets of wear bars just for this purpose.

Originally Posted by ddmd

Again, thanks for the input from everyone. All of my kids are getting winter tires for a Christmas present now that they're traveling everyday for jobs and college. Hopefully it will help keep them safe. My tire guy is giving me a great deal on the Michelin-Xice $103 per tire incl installation, so they're going on the 2 SVX's and a Prius. I think I'll try the generals on the Volvo Cross Country. Thanks again.

That's a pretty good price! Let us know what you think of them.

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by ddmd

Again, thanks for the input from everyone. All of my kids are getting winter tires for a Christmas present now that they're traveling everyday for jobs and college. Hopefully it will help keep them safe. My tire guy is giving me a great deal on the Michelin-Xice $103 per tire incl installation, so they're going on the 2 SVX's and a Prius. I think I'll try the generals on the Volvo Cross Country. Thanks again.

That is a great deal, I would definitely go for the Michelins all around.

[bheinen74]

Even though Bliizzaks are usually half the price, you only get one season on them, and then they are usually used up. I would rather pay the extra 50% and get 4-5 year use. just me,
(never EVER buy used Blizzaks, they are done when the owner has figured it out they are hockey pucks……and no matter the price high or low they are TRASH tires for snow.
heck of a deal on the X-ICE. good stuff.

[Tapani]

I can not praise the new studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8s enough.

I bought these for the Forester. Outback and SVX run on 7s.....

/T

[Blacky]

Originally Posted by Tapani

I can not praise the new studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8s enough.

I was given these for the Forester. Outback and SVX run on 7s.....

/T

Yes, but your government hands them out for free to all it's citizens. I'd use them too for that price.