Im at chicago and a snow storm hit 2 days ago
I drove today for the first time in snow on my wheels and i can't get very far with them.
so im planning on putting my steelies back on but i need some recommendations on winter tires , please

 

btw i drive a honda civic 1997 hatchback

 

What size are your steelies? 14" or 15"

In any case,
for 14" you want 185/65-14
for 15" you want 195/55-15

In my opinion the tires you want to look at are The Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 or the Michelin X-Ice.

 

There are a lot of excellent winter tires on the market, and most of them are available in 185/65-14 and 195/55-15. They tend to break down into two groups:

a) tires that have the very best traction on snow and ice, but have so-so ride and handling on days when it's not so cold; examples include the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, Dunlop Graspic DS-2, and Michelin X-Ice. (The Tire Rack calls these tires "studless ice and snow tires".)

b) tires that have good traction on snow and ice and in cold, although not quite as good as the previous group, but they also have very good ride and handling characteristics on days when it's not so cold; examples include the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22, Dunlop Winter Sport M3, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2. (The Tire Rack calls these tires "performance winter tires".)

The choice between these two categories depends on the climate in your area, how much highway driving you do in the winter, how much you care about ultimate snow/ice grip versus ride comfort, whether you have another vehicle to use in the worst of winter, etc. Oh, and the tires in category (a) are usually significantly less expensive than category (b), which may be important. For example, I want the best snow/ice traction and I don't mind sacrificing some ride comfort and handling for those three months a year (mid-December to mid-March around here, although this year's first big storm hit earlier than usual), and winter weather here in Chicago can be fairly nasty, so I have category (a) tires. But your priorities may be different, and you might be better off getting the category (b) tires.

The best category (a) "studless" tires, IMHO, are the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50. These tires have a "multicell compound" in the outer half of the tread, which acts like a sponge to soak up the moisture which melts when you drive on snow and ice. The Michelin X-Ice is also excellent and features siping (slits) in the tread pattern. Both of these really grip much, much better than other tires on those surfaces. Keep in mind that one set of winter tires may last you 6-8 winter seasons, if you drive on them 2-3K miles per winter, so you won't need to buy another set for many years.

All good info for you to consider in deciding what makes the most sense for you. Good luck.

 

I cant recommend any Blizzak or true winter tires unless you're driving on snow for at least 75% of the time, and the 18 years I lived in Chicago that was never the case. Everyone has their own preferences, but I bought a set of Blizzaks and personally felt the slight gain I got the few times a year I drove on snow is not worth the extra $$, and decrease in dry performance. Those slits nsxtacy is talking about hinders your dry braking capacity by as much as it gains you in the ice/snow. It was downright scary driving above 50 degrees because of the softer compounds....and Chicago often gets 50-60 degree wintertime spells. IMHO, a good allseason will give you better all around performance in the winter where you're located.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CardDealer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">(bad recommendation deleted)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I disagree 1000 percent. Furthermore, I don't think you really understand the whole idea behind winter tires and what they have to offer. Here's the fact you're missing: Winter tires are not just for driving on snow. Winter tires are designed to work best at cold temperatures, even when the roads are dry. All-season tires are not very good at frigid temperatures; that's because they're designed to be used in cold temperatures as well as warm temperatures, and they are not optimized for cold temperature use. Sure, they're better than summer tires, but all-seasons are nowhere near as good as winter tires, as long as the temperatures are below freezing - again, even when the roads are dry.

Here in Chicago, where I live, cold weather in winter is the norm. In the middle of the winter, the average high is below freezing, and the average low is in the low teens. Below zero temperatures are common; in fact, in half the winters in Chicago, the mercury plunges to -10 degrees F or colder. Our record cold temperature is -27 F. Even on more normal days, when it's in the teens or twenties, winter tires will give you much, much, MUCH better traction than all-season tires - even when the roads are not covered with snow.

No, Chicago does NOT "often have 50-60 degree weather in winter". There might be one or two such days each winter - nowhere near enough to justify using different tires that might be better on those few days but won't perform as well all the rest of the time.

I also disagree with your comments about the Michelin X-Ice and its similar predecessor, the Arctic Alpin. It sounds like you've never tried them. They are excellent on dry pavement in frigid cold, including braking as well as other characteristics and they are excellent on snow and ice. The Blizzaks are equally good also. No, they're not as good in warmer weather, but you only need to use them in the winter, when warmer days are extremely rare.

Again, I live in Chicago. I know what the weather here is like. And I know what driving on different tires in winter is like. All-seasons won't give you anywhere near what you can get out of winter tires to deal with the frigid cold or the snow and ice. No way, no how.

 

Forgot to add that at the fringes of the winter season, where it's cold one week and warm the next, it's a pain if you get "true" winter tires instead of allseasons because you sometimes have to switch between your winter and summer sets. Your garage becomes an indy car pit stop. Or just roll on your winters in the warmth and melt them away. Just something to consider. Whatever you do, rely more on your snow driving skills than whatever tires you get. Good luck.


FYI: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1824985

 

According to 3 different people I spoke to on the phone at the Tire Rack (when I first purchased snows instead of All-Compromises) you only really need to worry about changing from your snows if it gets above 50 degrees F and you are going to do a lot of driving on dry pavement. My dad runs WS-50s on his car throughout the Michigan winter (~Late Nov - ~Early April), even during warm spells, and usually gets about 17,000 miles (2-seasons) out of them before they lose maximum effectiveness

Jon

 

on my third car i have the x-ice and it has them on all year round and i have put about 7000 miles on them from last november and have not seen any increase iin wear and i live in washington were it'sin the 20's to the high 80's.....

 

I go to school up in the UP of Michigan (Michigan Tech). We average about 250-300 inches of snow a year. It's been snowing hard here for the past 4 days. We get alot of the white stuff. My freshman year, I had a GSR-del Sol, lowered a little bit with Tein HA's, ITR Rear sway bar. The following year I had a 92 hatch, pretty much stripped (so like 2075lbs) with the same mods. For both cars, I had Blizzaks WS50's and was able to go anywhere through snow sometimes a foot or so high. On icy roads, handleing was always extremely stable. They do suck on dry roads if your used to Azenies or Potenza S03, but thats not what there made for. However, other then the soft sidewalls, they are fine for DD even if there is no snow on the ground. I probally put about 20,000 miles on them, sometime in even warm weather and they still dig in the snow pretty well.

As for recommendations if you really are looking for snow tires (I kinda laugh when I hear people say they NEED snow tires when there in places like detroit, and such when they get maybe 2 snows a year) go as skinny as you can. This will apply more pressure on the road (p=Force(mass*gravity) * area) which will increase the amount of grip substantiouly.

Right now I am driving a heavy 92 prelude. I am running the Gesspic (sp?) DS-2s. I had my dad order them from his tire guy and he ended up buying the OE spec tire size for a prelude and they grip HORRIBLE (relative to the Blizzak). Not sure if its just the width (they are so much wider then my last winter tire combo) or the tire itself.

When I was in highschool, I drove on Potenza S03's for about a half a winter when I lived down in the Detroit area and when it snowed, I would litterally get stuck in hard packed plowed level parking lots. I had some normal all seasons (not performance style tread design) and I had no problem getting around, but of course that is the southern michigan winters were talking about. i would never be able to survive my college winters up here.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by asmallsol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I go to school up in the UP of Michigan (Michigan Tech). We average about 250-300 inches of snow a year.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Close. Houghton averages 223 inches annually. (Ref)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by asmallsol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">go as skinny as you can. This will apply more pressure on the road (p=Force(mass*gravity) * area) which will increase the amount of grip substantiouly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Narrower tires are indeed more effective on snow and ice, but not for the reason you mention. They apply the same amount of pressure, because the area of contact doesn't depend on the tread width, only on the air pressure (pounds per square inch) in the tires and the weight of the vehicle (pounds). Narrower tires are more effective because there is less snow to push out of the way in a narrower track.

 

corect nsxtasy a skinnier tire is always better in the snow than a wider foot print tire

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Close. Houghton averages 223 inches annually. (Ref)

Narrower tires are indeed more effective on snow and ice, but not for the reason you mention. They apply the same amount of pressure, because the area of contact doesn't depend on the tread width, only on the air pressure (pounds per square inch) in the tires and the weight of the vehicle (pounds). Narrower tires are more effective because there is less snow to push out of the way in a narrower track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well its not as simple as with a normal tire/r-compounds. With snow tires, each block on the tread pattern has smaller ribbs within it. When you apply pressure to these cells, they exand, and dig into the snow. With a wider tire these do not open as much, causing the tire to act more like a traditional allseason tire.

Your correct that the contact patch is constant, however, if you have a wider tire, the contact patch is more side to side then front to back with a skinnier tire. Because of the way the ribbs are cut, when the tire patch is from front to back, more of these ribb blocks open, DIGGing better into the snow.

Remember, skinnier tires are not just better on deep snow but on had pack snow and ice where pushing the snow off to the side is not realivent. This is for the same reason. Your therory is true for mudding/off roading but not so much for snow tires.

 

Your point concerns the tread pattern, and yes, that indeed has a role in traction (on rain, snow, and ice). I was only pointing out that the narrower tires do not have a smaller contact patch as previously claimed. You and I are in agreement on both points.

 

Dude, that is funny, the person whose car I got to try out the REVO-1s on goes to Northern Michigan. MT and NMU must suck in the middle of winter when you get socked in by 5 feet of standing snow. No wonder people at your school drink like fish and came up with the yooper rodeo (don't ask) during winter. Got the snowshoes out yet?!?!

Jon

 

lol, I am whipping them out later this week actually, but for fun not for nessity.

It hasn't stopped snowing for a week now, and it doesn't look like its going to stop until friday. I'm loving it.

 

What I find really interesting is that Houghton County averages about twice as much snow as the surrounding counties. (If you're curious about this, you can play around with the climate summaries for the U.P. here.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What I find really interesting is that Houghton County averages about twice as much snow as the surrounding counties. (If you're curious about this, you can play around with the climate summaries for the U.P. here.)</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is a few reasons for that. One is since we are in the keweenaw Penninsula, (the little ear of the rabbit) we are effected alot more by lake effect then say Marqutte other southern counties. Second, were around the higher terrains of the UP so its kinda like how the rockies get so much snow, but not as drammatic. In the past few years, it been weird, we will have a really snowy peroid then it will heat up a bit and have cycle it not snowing hard for 2-3 weeks. My freshman year, it snowed for 40 days straight with the longest breaks being 6 hours or so.

here is another link of snow totals, recorded by MTU...
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/alumni/snowfall/

Were they get alot of snow is up in copper harbor (about 55 miles north of us) Being at the tip of the keweenaw, they get a lot of lake effect. If anyone in the mid west ever wants some great skiing/snowboarding, check out Mt. Bohemia. Cheap lift tickets and INSANE back country. With a huge vertical for mid west standards, lots of snow, and really natural technical elements (rocks, cliffs, down logs, forrest) its about as close as you can get to the rockies without actually going. My buddy who lives out in colorado right outside vail was even impressed.


edit, looking at that linked site, I was surprised at how low the snowfalls are for cooper harbor. Maybe its just because its a tad colder up there with less aggressive snow removeable program, it piles up more. What I have noticed is right on the coast, they really dont get that much snow, but maybe 10 or so miles from the coast, there will be just a TON of snow. And and you have noticed it does vary alot from town to town. Up in Calumet (about 10 miles north of us, but not a really major town anymore) they typically have a lot more snow then us. Gay, Delaware, and Pinesdale also get a decent amount more then the average (yes, there is a Gay Michigan, and the only thing there is a bar named after the town)