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New Snow Tires and Winter Wheels
- Thread starter scottdm
- Start date
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Jimmer
Active Member
I just had my snow tires installed two weeks ago in time for the first actual (weather center labeled) "Blizzard" that I have experienced here in MN.
On my past 3 vehicles I had always run Michelin LTX all seasons and really liked them. They did better in the snow than any other all season tires I had used and until recently i had no desire to deal with snow tires.
Well, a few visits to this forum and discussions with a couple buddies who spend a lot of time on the winter roads and here I am. Looked around for a second set of the stock 22 in wheels but ended up just having the dealer take off the stock tires and mount/balance the Blizzak 285/45R22. $90 twice a year will add up, but for now I'll go this route and keep my eyes peeled for some 22 in stock take offs.
Anyway, I'm sure a chunk of the difference is going to an Expedition from an F150 and having the additional weight over the rear tires (I only drove the Expedition once on light snow with the stock tires so not much reference)- but I am very impressed how the Expedition and the blizzaks handle the snow and ice. I was hoping that my buddies were wrong when they told me "once you get snow tires you'll never go back." But I'm hooked now, especially since the Expedition is our main family travel vehicle and our drive to the cabin takes us through some desolate stretches of poorly plowed 2 lanes with little to no cell service. They aren't cheap but seem to be very good insurance against being stuck in a ditch with the family in the vehicle and hoping someone driving by stops to help.
All I can say is, if you are on the fence and have to drive in snowy conditions, go buy snow tires.
On my past 3 vehicles I had always run Michelin LTX all seasons and really liked them. They did better in the snow than any other all season tires I had used and until recently i had no desire to deal with snow tires.
Well, a few visits to this forum and discussions with a couple buddies who spend a lot of time on the winter roads and here I am. Looked around for a second set of the stock 22 in wheels but ended up just having the dealer take off the stock tires and mount/balance the Blizzak 285/45R22. $90 twice a year will add up, but for now I'll go this route and keep my eyes peeled for some 22 in stock take offs.
Anyway, I'm sure a chunk of the difference is going to an Expedition from an F150 and having the additional weight over the rear tires (I only drove the Expedition once on light snow with the stock tires so not much reference)- but I am very impressed how the Expedition and the blizzaks handle the snow and ice. I was hoping that my buddies were wrong when they told me "once you get snow tires you'll never go back." But I'm hooked now, especially since the Expedition is our main family travel vehicle and our drive to the cabin takes us through some desolate stretches of poorly plowed 2 lanes with little to no cell service. They aren't cheap but seem to be very good insurance against being stuck in a ditch with the family in the vehicle and hoping someone driving by stops to help.
All I can say is, if you are on the fence and have to drive in snowy conditions, go buy snow tires.
Thunderbirdsport
Full Access Members
I can add to this. We're currently getting mixed snow, a little sleet, freezing drizzle, etc.
I dragged a project rig out of the shop to make room for the Expy to get it out of the weather in case we need to go somewhere, with the Hankooks on in 2wd I couldn't move.
Waiting on the front shocks so I can put the spacers on, so I can put the 295s on, then I'll bet 2wd and 2 inches of slick shit won't be an issue.
FWIW, once in 4H the thing is unstoppable. Not literally...it did stop when I used the brakes
In 2wd though, it acted just like any pickup truck in 2wd...any kind of throttle and it spins with ease. Can't wait to get those big meats under it..
I dragged a project rig out of the shop to make room for the Expy to get it out of the weather in case we need to go somewhere, with the Hankooks on in 2wd I couldn't move.
Waiting on the front shocks so I can put the spacers on, so I can put the 295s on, then I'll bet 2wd and 2 inches of slick shit won't be an issue.
FWIW, once in 4H the thing is unstoppable. Not literally...it did stop when I used the brakes
In 2wd though, it acted just like any pickup truck in 2wd...any kind of throttle and it spins with ease. Can't wait to get those big meats under it..
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scottdm
Full Access Members
I can add to this. We're currently getting mixed snow, a little sleet, freezing drizzle, etc.
I dragged a project rig out of the shop to make room for the Expy to get it out of the weather in case we need to go somewhere, with the Hankooks on in 2wd I couldn't move.
Waiting on the front shocks so I can put the spacers on, so I can put the 295s on, then I'll bet 2wd and 2 inches of slick shit won't be an issue.
FWIW, once in 4H the thing is unstoppable. Not literally...it did stop when I used the brakes
In 2wd though, it acted just like any pickup truck in 2wd...any kind of throttle and it spins with ease. Can't wait to get those big meats under it..
If tread is equal, wider tires aren’t typically a desirable thing for snow use. Narrower tires float less and dig better in snow since they have more weight per square inch of tread contact area. I have the stock 20” size (275/55 R20) with snow tires and will get one size narrower for my snow tires next time. My current 275 width floats too much in heavy slush and deep snow and makes it hard to turn even in 4 hi.
Meeker
Full Access Members
Jimmer, I'm at the same place where you were at - I have Michelin AT/2 LTX (18" rims though) all seasons and I'm hesitant to go full snow tires - extra cost, and I'd have to find a place to store them! But the big snowstorm we got on Dec 21 was my opportunity to test the all-terrain tires and see if they were sufficient.
We got 15" of snow that night. I drove around a parking lot with 20" of undisturbed snow (medium weight snow for those who know how different snow can be at times), and on side streets that were only driven on a few times. I never had a single issue. As soon as my 2018 XLT was in "snow" mode, I just gave it enough gas to keep moving (i.e. never spin the tires) and it just plowed through everything I tried. I figure these AT/2s are close enough and I'll stick with them. They are not great (but not bad) on ice - that's the only tradeoff I'm making at this point.
Deadman
Full Access Members
Nice looking all season tread. They won't do great in snow/ice tho. The lugs are too big and flat. Snow/ice needs lots of small openings and biting edges.
i had the same concerns initially -
i did get the chance to test them the other day locally during icing and so far they rocked for stopping and hill / corner control on black ice covered w/ thin layer of snow, which is always the diciest IMO.
haven’t gotten the chance to really test them tho - will be going up 3+ hours into northern maine - it’s a war zone up there in feb with every combination of precip from coast to
mountain, plus they unfortunately use that spray solution which makes it stupid slick on any highway stretches.
anyway curious & will report back - i have faith, these do have the 3 peak mountain symbol - and its my experience that the Finns at nokian might make the best true all around weather tires that also have longevity & highway chops. can’t wait to really test them out hard!
Gumby
Full Access Members
I'm have a simple set up. Blizzak DM-V2 on 18 inch black steelies. I'm into my third winter with the Blizzaks and it will be my last as they will be worn out after. Previously I have had many different winter tires on different vehicles including Nokian SUV R tires. Nokian was by far the best. I haven't tried the Michelin winters yet and I might next season. I run dedicated summers (not AT) since I have the winter setup I can actually go with something sporty.
Jimmer
Active Member
Gumby, how many miles do you figure you'll have on the tires by the end of the winter? I know there are a lot of variables but just curious on a ballpark of what to expect longevity wise on the Blizzaks.
Gumby
Full Access Members
Hmmm...good question. I have about 118,000 kms or roughly 74,000 miles on the odo now. I would say about half those were on winters. I usually put them on around mid-October and then run them to about mid-April. Our temps here are usually below 0 degrees Celcius or 32F during those months so that helps on the wear.
Jimmer
Active Member
Good to know, I was hoping I'd get at least 30k miles out of them so that seems reasonable. Our temps are a bit warmer here than you have so that will work against me.
I've heard from others that run the Blizzaks that they generally replace them after they get down to half tread due to loss in performance. Is that how you look at it or do you run them down further than that?
Here's a pic to spruce the thread up a bit, still lots of tread with 1300 miles on them!
Gumby
Full Access Members
Mine are def past the half way wear point - almost down to the wear bars. I have not noticed a jump in road noise at this point maybe my music is too loud!
Jimmer is that curb rash on your rim??
Jimmer is that curb rash on your rim??
Jimmer
Active Member
I've noticed they've got a bit of a loud hum at mid speeds on roads with a little water on them-but other than that they have been quieter than I had anticipated, so far anyway!
Jimmer
Active Member
Mine are def past the half way wear point - almost down to the wear bars. I have not noticed a jump in road noise at this point maybe my music is too loud!
Jimmer is that curb rash on your rim??
Gumby, I saw that too when I posted the picture. Checked it out before I got in the truck and luckily it's just some left over crusty residue from the mount and balance. Still on there after a couple car washes but it flaked off pretty easily with my fingernail.
eastern PA winter storm, night 1, driver report:
these nokian's are pretty incredible. super solid on all the dry / wet days leading up to our big storm today. confident, sure footed on the current icy / mix / with a few inches of snow on top. never even needed to switch into snow mode, didn't even consider it, even up my buddy's steep as **** curvy driveway. most importantly, hard braking was super responsive, tracked perfectly even on the icy spots at speed, as good of winter grip i've ever had on a vehicle. huge fan of these shoes. planning to test them in the deep stuff over the next 24hrs.
nokian rotiiva at plus - E load rated - 275/55r20
carymccarr
Full Access Members
Glad they are working for you. It will be interesting to see how they work in a real storm. As someone noted, a true winter tire has thousands of micro grooves/sipes to pick up as much snow as it can to use as traction against snow on the road.
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Glad they are working for you. It will be interesting to see how they work in a real storm. As someone noted, a true winter tire has thousands of micro grooves to pick up as much snow as it can to use as traction against snow on the road.
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no doubt - these nokians are not "dedicated" snows, but just really good AT all year tires, with a 60k warranty, that happen to have enough snow chops to bear the 3 mountain snowflake symbol... as close as i could get to true winter performance on a year round tire with this kind of treadwear longevity. in my experience running dedicated snows, these perform as well as any of them in a practical sense, so far... let me report back on some deep runs after we get an additional 20" over the next 40 hours!!!!
Gumby
Full Access Members
I had the Rotiiva AT on a different truck and while they were good, I didn't feel I could get them again. That being said I have ran dedicated Nokian winters (HAKKA SUV R tires) and those were 100% bullet proof. IMO, I would stick with Nokian or Michelin and a close third would be Blizzaks.
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