Snow tires vs. all season - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mlobo · 10-08-2004, 01:43 PM

First, let me say I'm not new to cars, nor am I new to snow driving. I've lived in CO all my life, and I know how to handle a car on snow. What I'd like to know is how well certain tires will do in snow of varying depths. I have a 91 Civic Si, and I'm considering a couple options.

First, since the car needs new tires now anyway, going with a set of performance all seasons. Specifically either BFGoodrich Traction T/A or Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. Via TireRack, these were shown as the best snow traction of the perfomance all seasons. I've had combo tires in the past, and they do fine with most snow depths on roads that get plowed, even on ski trips. From those who have these tires, how well do they do in snow? I know they won't be as good as snow tires, but up to what level of snow accumulation will they be passable?

Second, a set of dedicated snow tires, specifically either Blizzak WS-50 or Dunlop Graspic DS-2. Any experience with these tires? How well do they handle when you're not on snow and ice? How's the tread life?

I know the snows will be the best option for snow drving, but how well can I expect to do with the latest combo tires?

krwlz · 10-08-2004, 05:25 PM

My 2004 Civic came with all seasons, I bought it in January. I live in upstate new york, so I'm going to assume (correct me if Im wrong) that we have some similar weather.

That car with those tires climbed my fairly steep 1/4 mile driveway every time. Best thing about my driveway is the 90 degree turn at the top, just after the steepest part of the drive. Its fun, but well, bogs most cars down. Mine walked through it day after day, drifted or not. Up to about 6 - 12 inches I would say, with minimal problems. When it actually snowed, I was stuck at the bottom, but all in all, I was happy.

In the future when I need tires however, there is simply no replcment for studded snows.

Imhotept · 10-10-2004, 04:12 PM

Might want to check www.vredestein.com
I have an 00 civic and quatrac2's on it and love em. They are all season but have a wicked tread and are known in Europe as being awsome in snow. I live in NC so we dont get much snow, but for the past 2 years I have had these tires, I would head to the mountains to have some fun and test em out. There where times when the car was bottoming out and still able to pull out with no problem. But a couple more inches of snow would have been too much and unloaded the suspsension. But 10 or 11 inches of snow was no problem.
Anyhow, since I have a shitty job at selling tires, I have several pics of my adventures here... http://www.dellingertire.com/viewtopic.php?t=53

maverick750 · 10-10-2004, 05:37 PM

I dont have experience with those particular all season tires, but the blizzaks and tires like them hande fine on dry pavement. However they wear out terribly fast.

merkerguitars · 10-10-2004, 11:44 PM

Usually I just run a average all season tire and it gets me by every year...this year I think i'll go to the local salvage yard and pick up a spare set of rims so I can put some meaty snow tires on...then I can some really kickass traction.

10-08-2004, 01:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
mlobo Upright	Snow tires vs. all season First, let me say I'm not new to cars, nor am I new to snow driving. I've lived in CO all my life, and I know how to handle a car on snow. What I'd like to know is how well certain tires will do in snow of varying depths. I have a 91 Civic Si, and I'm considering a couple options. First, since the car needs new tires now anyway, going with a set of performance all seasons. Specifically either BFGoodrich Traction T/A or Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. Via TireRack, these were shown as the best snow traction of the perfomance all seasons. I've had combo tires in the past, and they do fine with most snow depths on roads that get plowed, even on ski trips. From those who have these tires, how well do they do in snow? I know they won't be as good as snow tires, but up to what level of snow accumulation will they be passable? Second, a set of dedicated snow tires, specifically either Blizzak WS-50 or Dunlop Graspic DS-2. Any experience with these tires? How well do they handle when you're not on snow and ice? How's the tread life? I know the snows will be the best option for snow drving, but how well can I expect to do with the latest combo tires?

10-10-2004, 11:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Usually I just run a average all season tire and it gets me by every year...this year I think i'll go to the local salvage yard and pick up a spare set of rims so I can put some meaty snow tires on...then I can some really kickass traction. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

10-08-2004, 05:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	My 2004 Civic came with all seasons, I bought it in January. I live in upstate new york, so I'm going to assume (correct me if Im wrong) that we have some similar weather. That car with those tires climbed my fairly steep 1/4 mile driveway every time. Best thing about my driveway is the 90 degree turn at the top, just after the steepest part of the drive. Its fun, but well, bogs most cars down. Mine walked through it day after day, drifted or not. Up to about 6 - 12 inches I would say, with minimal problems. When it actually snowed, I was stuck at the bottom, but all in all, I was happy. In the future when I need tires however, there is simply no replcment for studded snows.

10-10-2004, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Imhotept Upright	Might want to check www.vredestein.com I have an 00 civic and quatrac2's on it and love em. They are all season but have a wicked tread and are known in Europe as being awsome in snow. I live in NC so we dont get much snow, but for the past 2 years I have had these tires, I would head to the mountains to have some fun and test em out. There where times when the car was bottoming out and still able to pull out with no problem. But a couple more inches of snow would have been too much and unloaded the suspsension. But 10 or 11 inches of snow was no problem. Anyhow, since I have a shitty job at selling tires, I have several pics of my adventures here... http://www.dellingertire.com/viewtopic.php?t=53

10-10-2004, 05:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
maverick750 Upright Location: janesville wisconsin	I dont have experience with those particular all season tires, but the blizzaks and tires like them hande fine on dry pavement. However they wear out terribly fast.