Thread: Who's using winter tires this season?

Racine area of Wisconsin.

Well I don't plan on driving my sel in the snow. It's way to low for that. I will be looking into getting a frontier up there once I get there before next season depending on what I find for job.

If you're on a budget, look at Dunlop Graspic DS-1. That's what I'm running and I have yet to get stuck. In fact, I drove around my yard with 6 in. of snow on the ground just to make it fun. They are discontinued, so they are pretty cheap. I think they have the DS-3's now but DS-1's will do ya fine. Ran me $400 mounted and balanced. Blizzaks are nice but after one maybe two winters they are basically all seasons. Look it up. If you want the best, get Michelin X-ice or Nokian Hakkapeliitta, but you'll be paying out the ear, nose, and other orifices.

Icebears are relatively inexpensive, and have great reviews as well. A lot of the scooby guys run them in the winter where required.

Not completely sure where that is, but I was living in Marshfield WI and working in Stevens Point WI last winter. Snow up there comes in a pretty good amount, you will definitely need snow tires.

Last year was when I first started running winter tires on my stock rims. It took me 30 mins to make a 6-10 min drive, uphill. I knew I needed something. Glacier Grip=quite nice. Now I don't have to run all seasons on my B14s. It's nice to have dedicated winter/summer rims/tires.

I am using Firestone Winterforce tires on my stock B13 wheels. Haven't gotten stuck this year and my car is pretty low.

They are studdable but I didn't feel the need to stud them after looking at the treads. Plus I am a Bridgestone/Firestone retailer at my shop so I got my set for about 215 for the set of 4.

^ that is a steal. Good move Jim!

Hankook iPikes are great on my Matrix. This is my second winter on them and they have not let me down. I live near Madison, WI and i would recommend them even though lots of people do not use them around here. I pass lots of people and feel a lot safer on the country roads i drive on.

We just got 8-10" of snow, with rain/freezing rain before. Many of the local roads are hard packed snow/ice, rutted badly. I would not want to drive on
many of them without winter tires in a 2wd open diff car.

They make a huge difference in traction on snow covered roads,
even help on cold dry roads vs all seasons. Even the low cost brands
will help a lot vs all seasons.

Make sure you read the specs on the tires.
Some come with 13/32" of tread new, others only 9-10/32".

I have only purchased 1 set of winter tires -
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2, (10mm tread new).
Yes, they are expensive, but I have had good results:
After 1 winter, MAR07 - 3032 miles total, 8mm tread showing
After 2 winters, APR08 - 6475 miles total, 8mm tread showing
After 3 winters, MAR09 - 11564 miles total, 8mm tread showing
After 4 winters, MAR10 - 16621 miles total, 6-8mm tread showing
Just starting winter 5, still decent tread/traction.

Not sure how the longevity compares to other brands - hopefully others
can share their experiences/data?

I have Hankook snow tires on the G35 and G20, and studded Cooper Weathermasters on the Miata. All of them work great.