As if I don't have enough to be thinking about....

What are you Folks running for winter tires? I live in the northeast Maryland area and will be driving our (new) '96 CE daily.

When it gets really bad (snow, slush), out comes the '61 Impala with the snow tires.

Thanks.

 

i just put on my Dunlop Winter Sport M3's this weekend. i've driven with these for two winters up to 4" of snow with no problem. above 6" gets a little hairy, but it sure is fun.

 

Thanks tempest. Were you able to find them in the 'spec' size for your car? Just looking at the Tire Rack page for that tire, they don't appear to come in the spec size for a 96...

Regards.

 

I`m a little suprised that someone would subject a Corvette or a `61 Impala yo snow(sorry about using that four letter S word).

 

I don't have much of a choice: it's either that or drive the '54 or '57.

 

Many of the new "snow and ice" tires are awesome in the snow. I've only really tried michelin artic alpin's and 4x4 alpines, and both were awesome. Just look for lots of sipes! and that newer "snow and ice" logo on the tire.

Snow don't bother me, I think its fun, but studded tires are illegal here so they salt like f-ing nutz. turns all the cars into big ***** of rust.
»keith

 

Take the $$$$ your going to spend on tires and buy a beater !!!!!!!!!!!

 

I put 4 Blizzaks on my 87 and go around stuck 4WD's !!!!

 

That's why we have the '61!

I need to check those out...I've heard that name several times. Did you get them to 'spec' size for your car?

Regards.

 

I cant believe you have a classic muscle car as your winter beater

 

That is another important point, unlike the old "M+S" tires, the new tires should be used in sets of 4, reguardless of your drive wheels.

When the tire guy told me this, I was, "yeah, right...", but I ran only two on the rear drive wheels and the traction improvement over regular tires was insane. I could overpower the front tires easily on any slippery surface.

»keith

 

From what I've heard the F1 GS D3's are horrible in snow. Great wet weather tire BUT...

 

This looks more like it (from the local classifieds), just to pick an example of a good winter beater Chevy:

"1986 CHEVY Suburban 4x4, mech. exc., ready to hunt, $2000"

The ads are full of these kinds of rough rides, and they can carry parts for your Vette in the other seasons.

 

Actually, we spent just a little more than that for the 61. Pretty good condition and rides nice.

Back to tire sizes: the 96 has 275/40-17 front and 315/35-17 rear. Looking at the Blizzaks for example, 245/45QR-17 is the tallest they have. This tire will be lower but not as wide as the factory. Is that correct?

Thanks.

 

Then you are driving some POS beater. Thats BS C4s are cheap enough to use as daily transportation and they handle pretty damn well in the snow. I traded a full time 4WD suv in for the VETTE and I don't miss the truckster at all.
As for the Goodyears I was going to buy some this fall. However, after reading the reviews I have decided to wait until after snow season is over before getting them. (The reviews say that they perform dismally in snow)

Mike

 

basically, yes, although I am not totally sure about tire height, because it is actually a ratio.
First # is section width(bulge to bulge)
Second # is the ratio of section width to height.
tire rack has a good explanation

I think that 245 will fit on the same rim your 275 was on, but 315's are a different story.

Generally, I prefer to have a separate rim and tire for winter. Although its been while since I've needed to do that since I've started driving suburbans for winter.

»keith

 

Thats not bad. Last winter I had an '88 Burban I picked up for $650, but I just gave that to a relative cause I found a '90 Geneva conversion Suburban for $850
»keith

 

"Generally, I prefer to have a separate rim and tire for winter."

It's looking like that's the way to go. The max size for a Blizzak WS50 that seems right (I'm open to suggestions on this) is the 245/45QR17.

Keith,

What 'winter' wheels did you have?

Thanks.

 

Well, its been while, but I currently only have 1 vehicle with winter tires, my CJ7. I have cheap steel, what some people call "wagon wheels", rims but two sets, one has my 32" mud terrains, and for winter, a set of 235/75R15 Michelin 4x4 alpins, which seem to be obsolete. And I even won a couple trophies ice racing with those tires.

Previously, I had winter tires for my 1993 pontiac Formula, which had 245's from the factory on 16" rims and I believe I had arctic aplin's in that size, Q rated. I used the OEM rims for those, and I had my Firehawk 17" rims with Firestone Firehawk SZ-50's for summer use.

It seems 17" winter tires are tougher to find. I'm probably going to assume that 16" rims won't even fit on cars with the "heavy duty" brakes? that would open up alot of possibilities if 16" rims were an option.

If I needed vette snow tires, I would almost like to be able to use the stock rims, but that would probably be stretching it a bit with 245's on back. I just checked tire rack, and if I read the chart correct, they recommend a max rim of 9" wide for those blizzaks, and I think the stock rears like mine are 9.5" wide.
If you got two pairs of the 8.5" front rims, you could run that size on all fours and that would work fine in winter. I think I have seen those fronts for sale on some of the wheel web sites I've browsed.

I've been fortunate lately that I have been able to have separate "beater" vehicles for winter and because they are 4 wheel drive, I run an all terrain tire that works well all year round. BFG AT's to be exact, as of now.

That would be another option, if you had a bigger rim that snow tires do not come in, is look for a tire that has a good "wet" rating, and have it siped at a tire place with that capability, and you would probably have a 'descent' winter tire, although not as good as the new "snow and ice" tires. Even though "snow and ice" tires are best, a descent "summer" tire can do ok if it has enough sipes and tread voids to move the snow & water.

A question I never asked, do they allow studded tires in your state? Would you want studded tires?
HTH, »keith

 

my normal tire size is 275/40/17. i called Tire Rack and they showed me that the Dunlops in 255/45/17 are mountable on my 9.5 inch rims, with a minute difference in diameter.

i have GS-D3's for the summer, and the moment the temps dipped below 40 they hardened up and would spin at a stoplight start. they would probably be driveable all winter, but it is a pretty steep gamble to your personal safety.

good luck on the tire search, and have a fun winter!