I know this should probably be in the wheels and tires forum, but most of that forum has to do with mods and not necessarily practicality, so I posted here.

I was wondering if anyone up north, where there is actually a winter, has switched to A/S tires to be used all-year-round. I'm considering buying them instead of snow tires, since I have no practical way to take the tires back and forth to a shop even just two times a year. It'd be a pain in the *** and I'm wondering of A/S tires will be enough in the snow with the Z. I don't have my Z yet, but its coming at the end of this month, most likely. So, I need to make a decision on the winter tire issu pretty soon. I could buy winter rims and snow tires, but that's added cost. Cost IS a factor, as well as convenience. Any thoughts or input would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

(Boomer, I saw that you switched to Michelin A/S tires. Have you used them in snow yet?)

-Jon

 

If cost is a factor, then Blizzaks are the only option. Or winter tires of other respectable brand. Because trying to save a back bying A/S, you'll risk your life and value of your car. It's your choise.

Now, to save the money you may consider buying 16" metal rims, and WS-50 Blizzaks for them, instead of 17 or 18" LM-22. then in future you'll be able to change them yourself, whenever you wish.

I know you can put two tires into Z to get them home- in trunk and right seat. I can imagine you can put 2 on the right seat, one before strut bar, and one in the trunk... not sure though.

 

I was asking specifically to see if the A/S tires handled ok in the snow. They worked fine on just about every car I've owned. I don't have my Z yet, so I'm not sure about its characteristics. All I know is that the stock tires are useless in snow. I figured A/S tires would be good enough. I wouldn't be risking my life much at all, since I drive a mile to work everyday and I can arrange other means of transportation when the weather sucks in any case. With that in mind, leaving the same set of tires on year-round sure is less costly than buying snow tires and possibly another set of rims and switching them out twice a year.

If I chose to get the snow tires, I'd simply put them on the stock rims, so the cost would be the same, if not cheaper than buying 16" steel rims and tires. (This was my original plan)

Can you really fit two tires in the trunk? I'd love to see pics of this. I didn't think that was possible, but now I'm really curious to see if it is. I'd ask one of my friends to help me out, but I can't count on my friends for things that involve being on time on a certain date. lol

 

That's the trick! 16 with metal rims will be cheaper.
WS-50 (almost the same stuff as LM-22, but they go only till 16", and them LM-22 goes from 17", I think) so WS-50 cost 80-90 bucks depends on the size. LM's goes from 170, I guess. So if you can find metal rims cheaper than 80 - you are in plus. And then you are in plus every time you need to change them back and forth (twice a year)

I saw nissan metal rims for around $40 somewhere on the Internet. But I wasn't sure about sizes, and I needed snow tires fast, so I just put them on stock rims.

 

Sorry Jon. We were supposed to get snow this weekend but it hit Dallas instead. How fast are the highways cleared? This has always been a rule of thumb for me, if you can get out of your driveway and street and get to a major street or highway that is partially cleared, buy the A/Ss. If you need to break trail for yourself, all bets are off and you may need dedicated snow tires.

I have to tell you, I have never lived in States where snow stays on the ground for months. I have driven to and from them after spending time there and I can get around anywhere with all season tires if I'm not the snowplow. All season tires are getting pretty sophisticated and the A/Ss tread felt soft at 27 degrees which is what I look for.

Talk to Walt at Tire Rack about the conditions you will be facing and see what he thinks as well. He sold me the A/Ss and may have some info I didn't ask about concerning their snow behavior. I would be interested in his answers and your decision.

I just went back to your earlier posts and realized you are in Chicago, DUH! I think Walt works at the South Bend, IN store, so he's not far from you. I would be very surprised if the A/Ss didn't work for you.

Boomer

 

In Chicago, the streets and highways are salted and plowed lickety split. They are never much of a problem except right when the snow hits. Usually, the streets are salted heavily before any expected snowfall and once they are driven on a bit, they are nice and wet. My biggest problem is where I keep my car. I'll be putting it in my rear garage, which is accessed via alley. The alley is rarely plowed and it'd always have standing snow. So, my biggest prob would be getting out of the garage and down the alley. If I got that far, I'd be home free. I guess I'd need snow tires if you and Walt think the A/S tires wouldn't get through a couple inches of standing snow. He'd probably know, since he is in South Bend. They easily get twice the snowfall we get here. The A/S tires on my FWD and AWD vehicles always handled the alley fine, but I'm not sure about the Z.

Thanks for your response, Boomer. I'll give TireRack a call as soon as my salesman lets me know when my car is coming.

Much appreciation,
-Jon

(PS- Thanks to El Nino, we've hardly had ANY snow this year, but supposedly there is some on the way. If you have a chance to drive in snow, please let us know how the A/S tires go...)

 

If you are talking abot a couple of inches of snow, the A/Ss will be fine. They'll be fine at 6" if you can get through your alley, you can stop at the end and clean out any snow in your radiator area. Then get on your street and take off.

I have driven in blizzards with cars and gotten through each time. A couple of inches is nothing, the A/Ss should go through snow almost to your knee easily. The biggest problem, for me, is always getting packed snow in your radiator, just stop and clean it out by hand, you should be fine.

Go ahead and talk to Walt anyway, he may agree or disagree, but when I refer to becoming your own snowplow, I am referring to snow over 12-15"and its coming over your hood as you plow through. Let me know what he says, if you have time.

Boomer