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poeticfinesse21
08-02-2012, 05:38 PM
I'm contemplating picking up some winter tires for my stock 15's. Tire size will be either 205/60/15 or 215/60/15. I don't know much about winter tires (studless, studdable, performance?) so I wanna know what would be good for my weather. I live in chicago so winters here are always freezing (-5 to 10 degree windchill). Out of the 6 years I've lived here, I've only seen 2 winters with real heavy snowfall and 1 winter with barely any snow. Help me out :mconfused:

eccramer
08-02-2012, 05:46 PM
I had good luck last winter with studless Bridgestone Blizzak in 195/60R15's. We got some deep snow in Eastern Washington State here last year and my Civic hung with the best of them. In fact, my roommate and I decided that it was safer to take my EP3 than it was his 4WD Ford Explorer. Just remember that you still need to brake early and turn gently.

Cheep3
08-03-2012, 03:17 AM
Studless work best for all around winter tire. The 205 will give you better snow ability.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Graspic+DS-3&partnum=06QR5DS3&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

differentK
08-03-2012, 07:30 AM
general tire altimax artic... F'n incredible snow tires. ive had them on my stock 15s for 2 seasons now. i am actually trying to sell them (4 wheels w/tires) now that i got a DD... easily the best addition to the car ive ever made.

poeticfinesse21
08-03-2012, 10:04 AM
I'm leaning more to either the dunlops or altimax artics......anyone ever tried these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/205-60R15-Nitto-Winter-Snow-Ice-Tire-205-60-15-/140804470292?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Section+Width%3A205%7CAspect+Ratio%3A60%7CRim +Diameter%3A15&hash=item20c899b614&vxp=mtr#ht_3639wt_1176

mage182
08-06-2012, 02:24 PM
I have these on my EP3 right now and I couldn't ask for more. Any conditions (DWS) these tires deal with hands down. I won't even think of buying anything else next time.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS

poeticfinesse21
08-06-2012, 05:38 PM
I have these on my EP3 right now and I couldn't ask for more. Any conditions (DWS) these tires deal with hands down. I won't even think of buying anything else next time.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DWS

Thanks but I'm not interested in all-seasons and they don't even make that tire in my wheel size (stock 15's)

StimulisRK
08-08-2012, 08:10 AM
Blizzaks are the best hands-down. My 2 good friends have worked at Sears Auto/Tire and have been selling tires for 3 years. That's all they ever use, and that's what they always tell people to get. And DON'T get studded tires, no need for where you live. I personally have Firestone Winterforces on 14"s and have 0 complaints. I wasn't working at the time and they got me 40% off so I went with it. I was pretty skeptical with the price, but honestly they were awesome last winter.

poeticfinesse21
08-08-2012, 10:08 AM
I've narrowed it down to blizzaks, dunlop graspics or continental extremewintercontacts. I've heard people's experience with dunlops and blizzaks, anyone tried the continentals?

dirtyMETHOD
08-11-2012, 12:57 AM
I'm leaning more to either the dunlops or altimax artics......anyone ever tried these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/205-60R15-Nitto-Winter-Snow-Ice-Tire-205-60-15-/140804470292?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Section+Width%3A205%7CAspect+Ratio%3A60%7CRim +Diameter%3A15&hash=item20c899b614&vxp=mtr#ht_3639wt_1176

I live in Massachusetts and two years ago we had a Horrific winter, General Altimax Arctic did and awesome job. I wouldn't even buy a different winter tire. They brake like crazy on snow and are awesome on the highway, hydroplane resistance and even on ice.

I have them mounted on my HFP wheels 215/45 17 on 17x7 +45 and I have never gotten stuck with them. Two seasons down and plenty thread left.

Buying my wife a set this winter for her TL Type S

On these wheels:
http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad22/dirtyMETHODep3/ep3fps.jpg

poeticfinesse21
08-11-2012, 01:11 AM
I live in Massachusetts and two years ago we had a Horrific winter, General Altimax Arctic did and awesome job. I wouldn't even buy a different winter tire. They brake like crazy on snow and are awesome on the highway, hydroplane resistance and even on ice.

I have them mounted on my HFP wheels 215/45 17 on 17x7 +45 and I have never gotten stuck with them. Two seasons down and plenty thread left.


general tire altimax artic... F'n incredible snow tires. ive had them on my stock 15s for 2 seasons now. i am actually trying to sell them (4 wheels w/tires) now that i got a DD... easily the best addition to the car ive ever made.

Did you guys use them with studs or without?

Type_R_Nammer
08-11-2012, 01:14 AM
+1 for General Altimax tires.

Best bang for buck, works great in deep snow!

dirtyMETHOD
08-11-2012, 01:15 AM
No studs. Not needed unless more than half your winter is ice (mountain roads And Canada)

poeticfinesse21
08-11-2012, 01:22 AM
Looks like most likely I'm gonna go with altimax's. Now my other question is what tire width do you guys recommend? I'm currently on 225/50/15 all season falken's cuz I believe more rubber on the road is what our heavy-ass cars need.....but I know with winter tires it's recommended that you go down a size in width. I've never understood why so, should I go with 205/60/15 or 215/60/15?

dirtyMETHOD
08-11-2012, 01:28 AM
Use stock size for winter.

Thinner tire cut better through snow. I think they add more stability then wider tires when going through deep snow but that's just my reasoning(time for a tire expert to chime in)

More sidewall will protect better if you slide into a curb, newly dug plow potholes, etc. Plus cheaper I think.

Type_R_Nammer
08-11-2012, 04:20 AM
Use stock size for winter.

Thinner tire cut better through snow. I think they add more stability then wider tires when going through deep snow but that's just my reasoning(time for a tire expert to chime in)

More sidewall will protect better if you slide into a curb, newly dug plow potholes, etc. Plus cheaper I think.

I can vouch for this post.

Honestly if you're putting on 15's as your winters, my recommendation for your tire size is 185/65/15. You'll save your wallet, and your car during the winter!

poeticfinesse21
08-11-2012, 08:36 AM
Use stock size for winter.

Thinner tire cut better through snow. I think they add more stability then wider tires when going through deep snow but that's just my reasoning(time for a tire expert to chime in)

More sidewall will protect better if you slide into a curb, newly dug plow potholes, etc. Plus cheaper I think.


I can vouch for this post.

Honestly if you're putting on 15's as your winters, my recommendation for your tire size is 185/65/15. You'll save your wallet, and your car during the winter!

Thanks guys but no way am I putting anything less than 205mm wide tires on my car. Our cars should have come with 215mm or 225mm wide tires from the factory. I'm gonna go with 205/60/15, altimax's are only $79 each in that size so it's not so bad.

StimulisRK
08-11-2012, 09:30 AM
Use stock size for winter.

Thinner tire cut better through snow. I think they add more stability then wider tires when going through deep snow but that's just my reasoning(time for a tire expert to chime in)

More sidewall will protect better if you slide into a curb, newly dug plow potholes, etc. Plus cheaper I think.

Cars (light weight) tend to ride on top of the snow, and have a harder time cutting through it; so you want thinner tire with a larger sidewall profile (soft) to help cut through it - whereas trucks/suvs, with all their weight, sink down and really cut through the snow. That's how it was explained to me.

I run 185/70/14 in the winter

poeticfinesse21
08-11-2012, 10:32 AM
Cars (light weight) tend to ride on top of the snow, and have a harder time cutting through it; so you want thinner tire with a larger sidewall profile (soft) to help cut through it - whereas trucks/suvs, with all their weight, sink down and really cut through the snow. That's how it was explained to me.

I run 185/70/14 in the winter

This makes sense but our cars are pretty heavy for their size. Around 3000 lbs with driver and half a tank of gas. Winters here are kind of hit or miss as far as snow so I'd rather have the extra rubber for all those days without snow.

BarracksSi
08-11-2012, 07:51 PM
I have 195's on mine (Dunlop SP Winter Sport) and zero complaints. Beats the pants off of all-season tires, too.

whatsvtec
08-11-2012, 08:43 PM
185/65 r15 was perfect for me, cruising at 55 during a blizzard was convincing enough. narrow is best to be honest, for heavy winter conditions

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