Size (and snow) matters
12-10-07, 01:52 PM
#17
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Haven't gotten any yet. Probably will, since I need some, but I've been waiting for more info on how some of the newer tires, particularly the Serenity, the Primacy, and the Versado, do in snow.
12-10-07, 05:04 PM
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I will not use Blizzaks because the good tread is for only 1/2 of the tire's tread depth--a complete joke and waste of money.
There is no other tire on the market comparable to the Nokian WR for all-weather capability. I have used both WRs as well as dedicated snow tires. While the WRs are just a step below a good-quality dedicated snow tire (more like a fractional step, really), they are leagues ahead of an "all-season" tire without the "mountain & snowflake" rating.
For snow tires you want to go as skinny as you can--if choosing between 2 comparable sizes, go with the skinnier one. It makes a huge difference in plowing through snow.
There is no other tire on the market comparable to the Nokian WR for all-weather capability. I have used both WRs as well as dedicated snow tires. While the WRs are just a step below a good-quality dedicated snow tire (more like a fractional step, really), they are leagues ahead of an "all-season" tire without the "mountain & snowflake" rating.
For snow tires you want to go as skinny as you can--if choosing between 2 comparable sizes, go with the skinnier one. It makes a huge difference in plowing through snow.
12-10-07, 05:05 PM
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....i really don't think you can go wrong with them....and tirerack.com has 'em for $98 right now.......
12-10-07, 05:11 PM
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Lots of good information in this thread!
I do not know of a good reason to depart from the 225/60-16 tire size for 93-00 LS400s when buying snow tires. While 215/65-16 might be slightly better in heavy snow, breaking power on dry roads will be slightly reduced.
As others have said, any tire with the mountain/snowflake logo on the side wall will provide excellent results in heavy snow. Buy an extra set of wheels and use the snow tires only during the winter months - Thanksgiving week to mid March here in the midwest U.S.
I have been extremely happy with Bridgestone Blizzaks over the past four winters and will buy another set when they wear out -- it is hard to believe how many stuck SUV's I've blazed past with them. From my experience, they are unusually quiet for a snow tire too -- I've driven LS400s through 17 winters in a lot of heavy snow in northern Iowa.
My Blizzaks currently have right at 20,000 miles (I keep track in my log book) on them and I am surprised that I am going to get one more winter out of them - a total of about 25,000 miles. They are currently down to between 2/32 and 3/32 from the treadwear bars which are about 5/32 from the deepest part of the tire groove.
I use summer - not all season - tires on my summer wheels. Many people don't know that all season tires were not standard on the LS400 - they were a no cost option and generally detract from the car's handling.
I do not know of a good reason to depart from the 225/60-16 tire size for 93-00 LS400s when buying snow tires. While 215/65-16 might be slightly better in heavy snow, breaking power on dry roads will be slightly reduced.
As others have said, any tire with the mountain/snowflake logo on the side wall will provide excellent results in heavy snow. Buy an extra set of wheels and use the snow tires only during the winter months - Thanksgiving week to mid March here in the midwest U.S.
I have been extremely happy with Bridgestone Blizzaks over the past four winters and will buy another set when they wear out -- it is hard to believe how many stuck SUV's I've blazed past with them. From my experience, they are unusually quiet for a snow tire too -- I've driven LS400s through 17 winters in a lot of heavy snow in northern Iowa.
My Blizzaks currently have right at 20,000 miles (I keep track in my log book) on them and I am surprised that I am going to get one more winter out of them - a total of about 25,000 miles. They are currently down to between 2/32 and 3/32 from the treadwear bars which are about 5/32 from the deepest part of the tire groove.
I use summer - not all season - tires on my summer wheels. Many people don't know that all season tires were not standard on the LS400 - they were a no cost option and generally detract from the car's handling.
12-11-07, 08:51 AM
#21
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12-14-07, 11:33 AM
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Snow Tire Suggestion
Every other year I head down to the used tire shop and pickup a set of 4 decent used snow tires. For the past few years I have picked up 4 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice tires. These are standard issue on Police cruisers in Western NY, so they have a ton of them in stock. I pay about $200 installed and they last me atleast 2 winter seasons Nov-Apr.
12-14-07, 12:53 PM
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got my blizzaks mounted, balanced, and on the car today. i must say, i did not expect such a good ride from these tires.....they are great! they handle really well and the ride is way smoother than i thought it would be.
now the real test comes.....we're supposed to get a storm this weekend up here in the northeast.....
now the real test comes.....we're supposed to get a storm this weekend up here in the northeast.....
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