Hey All,

Just got an '05 G35 6MT this past summer and am now prepped for the NY winter with a set of Blizzacks, mounted on OEM 19" rims. However, I am noticing quite a remarkable difference in handling/feel as compared to the stock Potenza's. Its like the tires are not gripping nearly as well (and my old tires had almost no tread left!). Just wondering if this is due to the newer tires needing to run a couple hundred miles to wear down the tread or if this is due to the winter tire design. Anybody else observed this?

 

Of course winter tires aren't going to grip as well as your stock summer ones. Summer tires are soft rubber, which allows them to grip very well. While snow tires are still relatively soft, they are not nearly as soft as summers, not to mention there is less tread surface area contacting the ground in a snow tire, which is what you want for snow traction. There is also a period in the first 200-300 miles where the tires need to break in a bit.

 

Why don't you buy all weather tires in stead.

 

^ Because all-season tires get you stuck in the snow...mine all seasons on my 17s got me stuck...but I still run all-seasons on my 19's just in case

 

^^ All-season tires won't cut it in real snow.

 

its normal. Snow tires have a much softer tread compound that gives easier on dry pavement. Also, if these are brand new blizzaks they need some time to 'break in'. Mine were really bad when I first got them. After about 500 miles they seemed to be better. I can definitely notice a difference between my blizzaks and the crappy OEM turanzas though.

The real difference in handling comes when there is several inches of snow on the ground.

 

fixed

 

It's normal, I notice a big difference going from my summer Toyo's to my Blizzaks.

 

- Yeah, this is what I figured. I'll let you all know how they handle after ~ 500 miles, but now I am already looking forward to summer!

 

It's not that snow tires are a softer compound, in fact it is unlikely that they are softer in any manner than a Z-rated summer tire, it is that they stay flexible in very cold temps where as your summer tire compound will essentially freeze up and provide no grip.

On the flip side, you don't want to run snow tires in the summer heat because the compound will be too soft and wear out very quickly.

Everything's a trade off!


And, agreed--an "All season" tire means it doesn't do anything particularly well--especially snow.