I'm trying to scrape together some cash to get at least a pair of winter tires for the car. I have the summer tires on my 18's and so I'd definitely like to have Blizzak's or some other good pure winter tires around my stock wheels for the winter. I've looked around a little at tech discussions about winter tires. I've gathered that it's most ideal to have a fairly narrow non-low profile tire for the snow & ice grip. I'm wondering if I aught to use something like a 205/65/16 instead of the stock size - 225/60/16?

Yes, taller narrower tires work better in the snow. Don't go with 205/65....they're like bike tires lol. I think a 215/65/16 would work well.

I've had *Very* good results from stock size winter tires on all 4 corners. My first set was a set of Michelin X-ice. Second set (am using them now, probably their last season) is Goodyear UltraGrip Ice. My stock rims are chromes; I have the winter tires on a set of used rims I bought from Wilbert's in Victor NY. The rims were straight but had a little corrosion on the faces -- which I removed with a Scotchbrite then etched clean (all you need is off-the-shelf wheel cleaner containing ammonium chloride as active ingredient) and repainted with off-the-shelf wheel paint. The wheels have stayed clean several seasons, although they are *only* used in winter.

I'd look at the Dunlop Graspic, Continental, and Blizzak.

I'd get all 4 if possible for predictable handling.

I'd get used rims to cheap out in style.

Albertj

Albert, what would you say on THESE tires? As I looked at what was available, those are the only winter tires for a my stock rims that don't have a weak speed rating. I don't want to be sweating when I want to speed excessively during the winter when It's dry. They have a good rating but I'm going to look more. Other option I'm looking at is THIS which I like because it's a few dollars cheaper and it's a 215/65/16. A tire size calculator says that, compared to stock size, that would have .2" more sidewall and the overall diameter would be barely half an inch larger - not even noticeable.

Anybody ever put Michelin HydroEdge on? Or any other all season for that matter?

I have Michelin Primacy 235/60-16's. They did fine last winter in NY and would be OK in Atlanta but are way to worn for Central NY snow. I am not sure I can afford a dedicated snow set and then buy another set in the spring. If I do, I am planning on using the 12 spoke silver wheels for winter tires and the 7 spoke chromes for summers.

I just put a new set of bridgestone weather force this weekend
They seem like they will do fairly well in our Minnesota weather year round.
They was about 150 less for all four than the hydroedge would have been and they did fairly well on some ice snow filled back roads the other day.
Theres no reason for me to buy winter tires because if its bad I get in my 98 chevy ext cab and push the button on the dash for 4 wheel and have some fun. I just have the riv to save miles on the truck and a little gas when its not safer to drive the truck but like I said this is Mn and it can get damned nasty here.

The Riv handles OK in the snow, but given the weight distribution I think it's due to "the miracle of Traction Control."

My buddy's and I used to go to the giant church they built on the corner across from my house. And when I say giant, I mean GIANT. It has like 15 parking lots. We used to go in there and make skid courses around all the light poles in the winter. It was awesome. Although, I've never had the Riv's ass end kick out on me yet, it does go quite good in the snow even with my half eaten tires. It's just a PITA to get moving.

I once went to a parking lot with one lamp post. We said "we couldn't possibly hit that". Sure enough my buddy's fox-body mustang just couldn't resist. Hit it head on at low speed(30 km), snapped the bumped, rad, pushed the engine far enough into the passenger compartment to have the gearshift at a weird angle. Can't imagine what might happen to that car in a high speed accident.

As far as getting going, my buddy has a new g8. 4100 lb car, great brand new snow tires, and a whole bunch of weight in the back. TC is so twitchy that it usually wont get moving in the snow. Just sits there with the TC humming away. Many g8 guys find they need to turn off TC, stick it in second, and ease into it.

Yeah well, the G8 is also an Australian based car......they have no snow lol. I can't tell you how many lower control arms (all 4) on those I've replaced. Even after 5,000 miles the joints would go bad. Those cars aren't designed for "winter weather" or the Northern roads.

Got 'em. Michelin HydroEdge 235/60-16 for $692 installed. What a difference! Not just starting and stopping but also turning.

Worn out Michelin Primacy 235/60-16 with 70,000 miles.


New HydroEdge


Scary situation on the old tires while I waiting on the new ones to come in. This picture is of Highway 215 headed north into Cortland NY. The road goes downhill for a mile. It is steep enough that if you are at 60mph at the top of the hill, without touching the accelerator or brake you will be at 80mph at the bottom. Where the road curves to the right (but not recognizable) is the signature Par 3 5th hole of Willowbrook Golf Course on the left. Driving into work the other morning, there was 6 inches of snow on the road. I kept the car at 30 going down the hill. Before I got all the way to the bottom I got off the brake to build some momentum so I could make it up the other side. Went to turn right and the car started plowing. In the second or two that I drifted to the other side, I was thinking what a shame to mess up the car the day before I get new tires. The golf course is run by a really nice family but they would not have been none too pleased if I ended up in the fairway. I mean, this hole is cart path only!

Photo of the road near the bottom without snow on it.