Blizzaks for travel?

[philsey]

.... How did the FJ wheels work? Any problems?

I bought FJ steelies for my snow tires. Granted, I'm not sure how old they were when purchased, but they looked fine. My 4R lives in an underground heated garage, so do the wheels when off the vehicle.

They 'work' just fine, but I am disappointed that they have begun to rust this year. I'll be having them sandblasted and repainted shortly.

 

[Mikes-13]

I bought FJ steelies for my snow tires. Granted, I'm not sure how old they were when purchased, but they looked fine. My 4R lives in an underground heated garage, so do the wheels when off the vehicle.

They 'work' just fine, but I am disappointed that they have begun to rust this year. I'll be having them sandblasted and repainted shortly.

did you go with the 17s and what size tire?

 

[philsey]

did you go with the 17s and what size tire?

Yes, oem size.

 

[Mikes-13]

What a difference these make!!

 

[SNOMORE]

You only get half the tread

Just a heads up, I researched Blizzaks and several other winter tires as I live in Aspen, be aware that the Blizzaks only have 55% of their tread compound as their special formula, the bottom 45% of the tread is just standard winter rubber. Be aware of this when buying used or keeping for a long time.

From Bridgestones site:

NOTE: The first 55% of the Blizzak DM-V1 tread depth features the Multicell Z Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound. When the Blizzak DM-V1 is approximately 50 percent worn, a depth indicator molded into the tread design lets the driver know that the remaining tread is reaching the end of its ability to provide beneficial snow traction.

I went with Nokian Hakkas studded and am very pleased with them.

 

[p nut]

Just a heads up, I researched Blizzaks and several other winter tires as I live in Aspen, be aware that the Blizzaks only have 55% of their tread compound as their special formula, the bottom 45% of the tread is just standard winter rubber. Be aware of this when buying used or keeping for a long time.

From Bridgestones site:

NOTE: The first 55% of the Blizzak DM-V1 tread depth features the Multicell Z Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound. When the Blizzak DM-V1 is approximately 50 percent worn, a depth indicator molded into the tread design lets the driver know that the remaining tread is reaching the end of its ability to provide beneficial snow traction.

I went with Nokian Hakkas studded and am very pleased with them.

That sounds about right, since most of my snow tires, I get great performance up to about 50% tread. After that, it goes down hill. A big contributor to snow tire performance is the siping. Once that goes away, traction will suffer.

Back to the original question, doesn't matter how quick they will wear on dry pavement. First and foremost, #1 priority is max traction on snow, so going on a long trip, it's a no-brainer to go with snow tires. One caveat is, regardless of how well you're equipped, others running on bald summer tires can take you out. I've had several close calls of people spinning out in front of me, and other near misses. Best to just stay off the roads.

 

[Mikes-13]

One caveat is, regardless of how well you're equipped, others running on bald summer tires can take you out. I've had several close calls of people spinning out in front of me, and other near misses. Best to just stay off the roads.

Staying off the road isn't an option for me. Being in the mid-west all my life has made me well aware of and prepared to deal with the bald tires, bad drivers, muscle cars with too much power, heavy footed drivers and those just afraid of snow, etc...

I have enjoyed these blizzaks the last few days. The difference is extremely noticeable. They made a friend go get a set for his truck!