Tried posting this in the mod forum, but wanted a few more replies so I am moving it over here as well. For now I am considering just getting a good set of all seasons installed, so any advice welcome on those as well.

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Here in Northern VA/DC area, we get the occassional (meaning once or twice a year) snow, but normally nothing more than dustings that are gone within a day. Average highs stay above 40 throughout the year for the most part, avg lows probably right around freezing.

I know the stock tires are not well regarded, but for now I have what I have. Would I run into any problems/issues running Blizzaks when it doesnt snow that much or get that cold? If I decide to mount them in Nov but it never really snows or gets below freezing much, is this going to be an issue? I've heard such good things about the Blizzaks in cold weather/snow that I think its a good investment if it comes to that, thought I dont know in my case and in this area if it makes more sense to just go to a better all-season tire?

Any thoughts or specific recommendations welcome.

 

I can't say I speak from experience but I heard that running winter tires on pavement will get you a lot of understeer

 

Barring snow, the biggest problem in winter is the temperature. Summer tires are made from a rubber compound that is not designed for very cold temps. So, when the temp gets cold the tires harden and you can lose a significant amount of traction. All-season or winter tires are made from a rubber compound that is more resistant to cold weather and won't be affected so much, and thus their level traction won't change so much when it get really cold outside. So if you aren't planning on driving in much snow (not more than a dusting) then Blizzaks might be a bit of an overkill.

The real advantage Blizzaks have over other tires is their ability to stick in the snow. I had a set of Blizzaks on some cheap steel wheels that I would bolt onto my Audi A4 when I drove up to the snow. They were like magic in the snow. By far the best tire I had tried. At freeway speeds and on dry pavement, they definitely weren't as nice as my summer tires, but once the temp got below freezing and we got into the snow the Blizzaks were fantastic.

If you don't mind having two sets of wheels, get a nice set of summer tires on your nice rims, and a set of winter tires on some inexpensive rims that you don't mind beating up a bit. This gives you the best of both worlds: great sticky tires when the weather isn't so cold, and all-season/winter tires when things get nasty.

f you really just want one set of wheels/tires, though, then in your situation you're probably okay with a set of high performance all-seasons or even ultra high performance all-seasons. They won't be as good in the snow as a set of Blizzaks, but that doesn't sound like it's a problem for you. They also won't stick as good as a set of summer tires, but you'll be able to use them year round. It's always a trade-off.

 

Thanks, that is what I am thinking of doing now. Going to a better set of high performance all season tires for year round driving and cold -then if things get terrible throwing a set of Blizzaks on there.

 

If you plan on driving in a lot of near freezing temperatures where there may be "black ice" then the Blizzaks may be worth it. I had the same problem and went with all season tires on one AWD car and bought a second set of wheels and winter tires for my wife's AWD SUV. IMHO, the main advantage of the winter tires is in icy conditions where the aggressive siping and embedded material add some steering grip. If you go with two sets of tires, I definitely agree with getting a second set of wheels. You will need to store them of course.