20" Blizzaks are 'ok'

[warden]

It finally snowed enough this morning to test the 20" blizzaks I put on the car in late november. They did very good in the snow and I am happy about that. However, I have put about 5000 miles on them since November and on dry pavement they do not feel safe. The tread is about twice the amount as the stock tire and they roll all over the place. So they are just ok.

 

[Racer X]

Any good snow tire is going to perform like you're rolling on cubes of jello, it's just their nature.

They're safe, but you do need to adjust your driving style accordingly when your car is fitted with dedicated snows.

 

[vernonator]

Any good snow tire is going to perform like you're rolling on cubes of jello, it's just their nature.

They're safe, but you do need to adjust your driving style accordingly when your car is fitted with dedicated snows.

+1 on that - I have them on my 2012 SHO and in the past on my '95 Mustang GTS. They feel VERY different when driving - squishy and jiggly is the only thing I can say...but they ROCK in the snow/ice. However once you get used to them they are fine.

We got our first real snow here on Tuesday as well - I have had my Blizzaks on since just before Christmas. They turn the SHO into a AWD snow eating machine....passed several BMW's and a Charger stuck in the slush spinning their tires on the way into work....

 

[MNRubyRed2013]

It finally snowed enough this morning to test the 20" blizzaks I put on the car in late november. They did very good in the snow and I am happy about that. However, I have put about 5000 miles on them since November and on dry pavement they do not feel safe. The tread is about twice the amount as the stock tire and they roll all over the place. So they are just ok.

What size are you using? Right now I have the all-seasons on 20" wheels (no PP), but I'll likely get a second set of wheels and snow tires before next winter. Trying to decide what size wheels to go with (17" to 20").

 

[apex]

Try running a little more air pressure in your winter tires, it compensates for the extra tread depth and sipes. I run near max pressure recommended for the tire and to me it makes a difference in feel, I've noticed no wierd wear issues on my winter tires doing this.

 

[wuzzzer]

You just have to take it easy on dry pavement, especially if you want the tires to last. It does take a little getting used to. I used to describe driving on my Blizzaks as having bowls of jell-o underneath each tire.

 

[Stampman67]

I am running 19's on the W/O performance package and they work great on ice and snow. Granted we don't get a whole lot.

 

[thebigjimsho]

What part of Massachusetts? I grew up using snow tires but these days I think a good set of all-seasons will do just fine unless you NEED to travel in bad weather.

I'd get something like the Continental ExtremeContact DWS for winter weather around here. gets you through most big storms and will not be such a compromise in the dry.

Of course, if it were the UP of Michigan or upper Minnesota or rural parts of New England, I'd stick with snows...