Need advice on winter tires

I've got to drive my '94 RMW through Roch. NY winter and need tires, snows preferably.
Looks like there is a limited selection of snow tires. I'm taking my OZs off and mounting the new snows on the factory aluminum wheels. I've looked at Michelin Latitude X Ice, Goodyear Ultra Grip, Firestone Winter Force, and Dunlop Grand Trek SJ4. Any suggestions? Anyone like any all seasons for the winter?

I've heard a lot of people say the Blizzak's are good. But I don't use snow tires myself so I can't give you any direct advice. Sorry!

Yeah, I love them, I have them on my mini-van, but Blizzaks are not made in any of the sizes close to what the wagons use. I was told those sizes went away with the WS-50 model Blizzaks. I can get 235/55/18 Blizzaks and mount them to the OZs, what do you think of that!

I have personally used and recommend the Firestone Winterforce tires. They are better than the Blizzaks on snow (Blizzaks better than Winterforce on ice).

I started out with just two in the rear and 160 lbs. of tube sand. Great traction to get up and going but the wagon wouldn't turn at all. Last season I had Winterforce on all four corners and all I can say is.....TANK! It would go, stop and turn when asked in any condition. And all of this without posi!

Kevin is right - that is the biggest secret up here in upstate NY - good snowtires is all you need in about 95% of cases. My wagon is no fun to drive on snowtires because I can never kick the tail out on it!

Buying snow tires isn't rocket science. The more sipes the better, but you pay for them. Old school tractor-lookin' snows are good for diggin' but not so good for stickin'. Take a look at each snowtire's design, assess its accompanying price, and then buy where you're comfortable at.

Don't forget to check local salvage yards for snow tires. I got one set dirt cheap that way.

200OZ wrote:

I've got to drive my '94 RMW through Roch. NY winter and need tires, snows preferably.
Looks like there is a limited selection of snow tires. I'm taking my OZs off and mounting the new snows on the factory aluminum wheels. I've looked at Michelin Latitude X Ice, Goodyear Ultra Grip, Firestone Winter Force, and Dunlop Grand Trek SJ4. Any suggestions? Anyone like any all seasons for the winter?

As I live in a country where snow is abundant for 5-6 months a year and based on personal experience I would NOT use all season tires during winter driving. Get a set of good winter tires, The Finnish tire manufacturer Nokian makes a brand called Hakkapeliita that always get good reviews when tested.
Here's a link to their site: http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11891&group=2.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+5+SUV
They've got a tire that is 235/75/15 (it's in the SUV section) which should be great for a Wagon.

Winter tires are entirely different and are very thick so that it can easily move on snow...There are many winter tyres available in the market..rest the choise is upto you.....

I put Hankook IPike winters on the RMW, and the thing is unstoppable (in a good way). Quiet on paved roads, directional design, big blocks for snow, great siping for ice, and you can stud them, too. Dirt cheap is also good. I used 235 75 15s.



I got brand new Goodyear winters with the blue wagon, and just mounted them up a couple of days ago, but haven't driven them yet to compare with the Hankooks.

Well, after ordering 2 different sets of 4 (Dunlap SJ6, Goodyear Ultra grip) and the being told "Not yet available", I ended up with the Firestone snow tires. I've had them on for 2 weeks so far. They're pretty good, but no Blizzaks. I also found a '92 Caprice sedan for the winter to put them on.

Quote :

I also found a '92 Caprice sedan for the winter to put them on.

Best winter tire swap you can do!

Cool, nice find. And Buick wheels too!

The wheels are from my RMW. I thought I had to drive that through the winter, but then I got the Caprice from a co-workers father in-law a few weeks ago for free! It smoked really bad when running from clogged oil returns in the cyl. heads, and the floor pans and trunk are very rotted. Unplugged the oil returns, replaced the valve cover gaskets, and used 18 cans of spray foam to fill in holes in the trunk and floors. Drives pretty good for a free car.

been using 4 winter force tires for years now ,they work great, in fact ill be needing to throw them on soon, also got 3 70# tube sand i but in the trunk just for that little bit extra

Ok, winter is just about done and having used Blizzaks, Goodyear Ultra Grips, and Firestone

Winter Force tires in the snow, I have to say the Blizzaks are the best of those 3 IMO, but the Blizzaks

are not made in 15" sizes anymore. The Firestones worked pretty good though, especially

sence they were literally half the price of Blizzaks. The Goodyears were about the same as

the Firestones performance wise, but not much cheaper than Blizzaks. Buy the Firestones,

good bang for the buck. Just thought I'd share my opinion.