You guys get more snow and ice up there, then we do. I had Michelin LTX MS, on both Jeeps. Quiet highway MS tires last over 60,000 miles great in snow and ice, braking, cornering in snow. I feel that Michelin make some of the best tires out there. Drove numerous times in the last 14 years from KC, I-35 Iowa, to Chicago, on I-80 525 miles some in snow/ice/ blizzard condition. What you would call point A to B?? Sometimes 8-10" of snow. Never really been a issues. Handle fantastic!!! The Jeeps just keep tracking on.
You guys say snow tires are great, I'm not disagreeing with you. I have never had a use for snow tire guys. Where I live, I can't justify buying another set of tire for the little car, guys. I would never drive the Smart car to Chicago in those conditions. It not a Jeep. (and I don't drive on glaze ice!) like we are going to get today, in the Midwest.
It would be cool to take 2 Smart car, with snows and standard tires to compare.
You guys get more snow and ice up there, then we do. I had Michelin LTX MS, on both Jeeps. Quiet highway MS tires last over 60,000 miles great in snow and ice, braking, cornering in snow. I feel that Michelin make some of the best tires out there. Drove numerous times in the last 14 years from KC, I-35 Iowa, to Chicago, on I-80 525 miles some in snow/ice/ blizzard condition. What you would call point A to B?? Sometimes 8-10" of snow. Never really been a issues. Handle fantastic!!! The Jeeps just keep tracking on.
You guys say snow tires are great, I'm not disagreeing with you. I have never had a use for snow tire guys. Where I live, I can't justify buying another set of tire for the little car, guys. I would never drive the Smart car to Chicago in those conditions. It not a Jeep. (and I don't drive on glaze ice!) like we are going to get today, in the Midwest.
It would be cool to take 2 Smart car, with snows and standard tires to compare.
You're going to have to trust me on this one Smark. A lifetime ago, I managed a local tire retailer. I was 'sold' on different brands of tires from different tire manufacturers, from Michelin, to Bridgestone, to Firestone, to Stratton, to Dunlops, to Pirellis. They had to show me why their tires are better for me to carry them.
In my book, Bridgestones are the best tires, followed by Michelins. You are right about the LTX. I've had a lot of experiences with those tires. They are good in snow because they do offer deep sipes in their treads. If you had a truck or an SUV, LTXs are what I would suggest for an all-season tire.
As for snows or no snows, I'll summarize it like this: You take a Jeep and dress it up with Blizzaks and the same Jeep with stock Wranglers/LTXs and I can guarantee you that the the Jeep with Blizzaks will be about 25-30% better in snow and ice. I'm talking stopping, turning, and accelerating. Can you justify spending nearly a $1000 for that 25%? I can't say. That's up to you. For me, that 25% accounts for that extra 10-15 feet of stopping distance that I'm buying. Seeing how many accidents that happens here in MN during the icy winters, I'll gladly spend the extra money.
Many have never tried snow tires and until they do they just don't know the difference.
I look at it as extra insurance.
I'm happy with the LM-18's on pure steel wheels with TPMS. It's quite a bit of money but the extra car control and safety is priceless.
I would also offer up that you will get multiple seasons out of both sets of tires and lengthen the time in which you will have to buy new summer tires. It's not like you are throwing the money away. After all your summer tires are 'resting" all winter and the snows rest all summer effectively doubling their life.
I have no problem driving on icy, snowy roads with the Smart (with my Hakkes). It does really well with the snows. Accelerates, corners, stops dandy. If anyone thinks that summer or all season tire can compare they are quite mistaken. Once you drive on real snows (Blizzak,X-ice,Hakkepelitta,etc...) you will be spoiled.
I have been using dedicated snow tires for years now and I am hooked. It actually makes snow days fun.
You're from MN Bucket so you know what I'm talking about. Many who drive stock Contis say, "Well I get around fine". Well getting around fine is not the same as "Getting around like the snow/ice isn't there". Driving with snow tires DOES make winter driving fun.
I don't know if I can justify it living in KS, Neb, or even TX, but in MN, it's a must.
I am currently running the Pirelli Snow Controls all the way around on the stock wheels w/TPMS. I purchased all 4 w/road hazard and shipping for under $400 from TireRack. Dealer installed for about $125. Have driven it in several snowfalls ranging from 2 -4" so far. The snow has been the lighter and fluffier kind. No heavy and wet yet. I changed out the stock Conti's before the snow fell. I do notice how well the rear Pirelli's grab on accelleration. If they do spin the car compensates with it's stability programming. I do notice however, that the front does push some in the turns. But with this kind of snow and the road conditions, this is to be expected from any car. I have been very pleased with the performance so far. We are expecting a much heavier snowfall in the next few days. 4-6 inches before it is done. We'll see how it goes!
Last edited by vandenberg; 12-18-2008 at 11:45 PM.
WOW I ordered the Blizzaks yeserday around noon. They just showed up via UPS at 10:50 am! Might call NTB and see if they can do it tomorrow. Any idea if four tires will fit in the smart?
related question....any idea if the stock size Contis will fit on the Sport Edition wheels from Tirerack? They say reccommended tire size for the front wheel is 185/55 15 and for the rear, 205/50 15
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