[mcummings182]

I'm glad I decided to get my winter tires put on yesterday, because here in Ohio, we are getting lots of snow. The difference between the standard tires and snow tires is simply AMAZING. My mom's driveway barely had a light dusting of snow, and I pulled in and my ST flew all over the place. When I came back later with the snow tires put on, I did not slide one bit, and by this time the driveway had more slippery snow built up.

I ordered Blizzak WS60's from tirerack.com and had them shipped to my moms house so I could store them in the garage. I decided to stick with the factory size because I did not want to spend $200 on crappy steelies, or waste my time searching through junk yards for ones that would fit. Especially since I don't know anything about cars. These were also the only snow tires I could find anywhere that came in 205/40/17. The total came to about $550 with shipping. These tires are on closeout, and will not last very long. So if you plan on sticking to the factory size and have not purchased snow tires yet, I suggest you grab some while they last. Here is a link to them:

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/Winter...Type=A&startIndex=0&performance=W&search=true

 

[mamiata1]

Glad it worked out for you. I think this is the third vehicle I have bought snow tires for but this time instead of Blizzaks I went with Pirelli Snow Control. The storm missed us and I have not yet mounted the snows. Possibly this weekend depending on the forecast. From a wear perspective you don't want to spend a lot of time driving around on snow tires when the pavement is dry. But yeah summer tires, especially worn summer tires suck in the snow.

 

[mcummings182]

I know it's bad to drive them on dry pavement a lot, don't really have any other choice because this is the only car I have. If I had money I would have bought a winter beater so I don't have to let the ST suffer through the winter. Maybe next winter I will invest in that. I really hate putting such a beautiful car through the snow and salt, but it's the only option I have right now.

 

[jariten]

From a wear perspective you don't want to spend a lot of time driving around on snow tires when the pavement is dry.

In my experience this is a bit overblown, at least for Bizzaks and X-Ices. Wife cracked a wheel on her GTI two days after swapping back to summers and we haven't bothered getting a new set yet. So those X-ices now have 2 winters and a full summer, spring, fall (with numerous days 90+ degrees) on them and they have plenty of life left in them for this winter and maybe another (but I won't take that gamble). I usually toss winters after four years anyway so I'm cutting it one season short...but really, it's not like the things tear themselves to bits in dry or hot weather. I thought they were going to turn into gooey rubbery messes based on everything I'd read, but they performed like champs. I've also taken a set of Blizzaks through a similar situation with the same results. Other brands may be worse, I suppose, or maybe other compounds tear themselves up, but I've been very impressed with the durability of the ones I've used.

 

[Zormecteon]

You mention how little traction you had with the stock tires on a dusting of snow. I had "Ultra High Performance" summer only tires on my Focus, and like you, had NO TRACTION in a dusting of snow. I wound up crashing the car about 100 yds from home.

One of the car magazines did a series of tests with UHP Summer tires, All Seasons, and Winter tires. They tests were run in dry, wet and snow/ice, for acceleration, braking and cornering prowess. The tests came out as one would expect, each tire performing best in the environment for which it built. The most interesting thing though was that in the acceleration test of the summer tires on snow/ice was that even though they had a full mile long testing area, they could NOT get the car ( a Cadillac CTS if I recall) up to 60 mph.

I have not even yet taken delivery of my FiST, but I already have ordered and received a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A3s on Motegi rims from The Tire Rack. I don't want to crash again.

 

[CarefreeAZ]

You mention how little traction you had with the stock tires on a dusting of snow. I had "Ultra High Performance" summer only tires on my Focus, and like you, had NO TRACTION in a dusting of snow. I wound up crashing the car about 100 yds from home.

One of the car magazines did a series of tests with UHP Summer tires, All Seasons, and Winter tires. They tests were run in dry, wet and snow/ice, for acceleration, braking and cornering prowess. The tests came out as one would expect, each tire performing best in the environment for which it built. The most interesting thing though was that in the acceleration test of the summer tires on snow/ice was that even though they had a full mile long testing area, they could NOT get the car ( a Cadillac CTS if I recall) up to 60 mph.

I have not even yet taken delivery of my FiST, but I already have ordered and received a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A3s on Motegi rims from The Tire Rack. I don't want to crash again.

I remember reading about that test. I've been thinking of replacing the OEM 'stones when they're tired out with the Michelins you got to drive on a three season basis. Winters are Conti DWSs on SES stock 16 rims.

 

[BRGT350]

I have been running snow tires since 2000 and I can't imagine a winter without them! I had a rental car last winter for a few weeks with all season tires and hated it.