Just moved back to PA (Philly area) from Cali and I'm wondering if I should buy winter tires for my RWD G35. I've had FWD cars before and drove them in the Winter without any issues on all-season tires, but I'm not sure what to expect from my RWD G on all season tires - maybe a bit more than half life left on my Michelin Energy tires. I know the winter tires make a huge difference, but I'm just not sure how badly all seasons will handle when it'll start to snow/ice. Thanks in advance to anyone who has some personal experience driving in/on the snow/ice with all season tires on a RWD G vs. Winter tires. If I'll be getting winter tires, I'll most likely go with the Blizzaks.

Btw, my commute to work isn't too bad - 3 miles each way with a couple of hills.

 

Yes, you need winters, G's handle horribly in snow with "all-season" tires.

 

Darn it - I've watched videos on youtube with folks on summer tires and obviously there is no traction whatsoever, but I expected a big difference with all season tires. I guess getting winters will be worth the additional piece of mind. Tirerack has Blizzak WS70 for $133 each. Is this a pretty good deal?

Any other recommendations for good winter brand other than Blizzaks are welcome as well.

 

IMO Blizzaks are just okay -- I run them in the Canadian winter. I would look into Hakkas, Nokians, or my previous fave Good Year Ultra Grip Ice. Think of it this way, two sets of tires but they'll each last longer. Plus you can run some nice sticky rubber in summer and not compromise with all-season (which really means NO season)

 

RWD + snow = sucks
FWD + snow = better
AWD + snow = good
4WD + snow = best
Above + extra weight over the drive wheels = win.

With that said, I ran michelin X-ice Xi2 235/45/18 F/R last winter on my rwd and got around great. Summer or all season tires on your rwd will suck, you need a soft compound tire with small tread blocks. If you must run an all season at least sipe the tires for better traction.

 

. Invest in great summer tires and great winter tires. Enjoy both seasons. The other two seasons are just for preparation.

 

I had Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3's on my I30 (fwd) and it made a night and day difference. I'm also looking around foot see which snow tires I should get for the G and appreciate others' feedback

 

^ those are $184 a piece! I might go with either:

1) Bridgestone - Blizzak WS70 ( $133 per tire )

2) Good Year - Ultra Grip Ice WRT ( $133 per tire )

3) Firestone - Winterforce ( $99 per tire! ) - these got pretty decent reviews for such a cheap tire!

4) Michelin - X-Ice Xi2 ( $144 per tire )

 

Snow will greatly increase the winter traction. Some even say it makes the cars feel like an awd when running snows. The WS70 and X-Ice are our two best performing tires for the harshest winter conditions. They handle a bit softer than others but really do well in deep snow and harsh ice. If you see more clear roads and plowed highways you may want to look at performance based winter tires such as the Dunlop 3D or B-Stone LM-60.

Call me when ready!

 

I found out that people over exaggerate when it comes to Gs and winter. I have an 04 G coupe 6MT and been driving it for few weeks and the weather been very shitty. I live in Fort McMurray, Alberta in Canada we're all the way up north. We average -20*C all winter and it gets down to -60*C sometimes.


I drove the car for 5 days with SUMMER tires, it was quite the challenge. But i did manage to make it to places very safely. Just drive slow, keep a distance in front of you and dont try to be smart or try to have some fun when making turns. You would regret it in no time.

However a week later i installed Blizzaks and now it drives like a dream. If you install winter tires it'll make a day and night difference, dont think you're superman with winter tires but it'll definitely help alot.

 

I ended up going with Michelin X-Ice XI2. I have only driven them in the snow over one weekend and the performed great both in the city and on the highway. I really hope it snows more so I can put them to use more and provide a better review lol. So so far, these tires have been great, felt very safe with them.

Edit: Oh and I drive a 2003 auto sedan. I paid about $800 installed ($70 rebate on the way too) with free rotation. I found a place that said the could do $600, but I would have to wait a week. I couldn't do that since I was traveling and already had bald tires >.< lesson learned to plan ahead!

 

Cool, thanks for your input Adam. Where did you get them from?

 

I bought them from Discount Tire (near Grove City, Oh) and had a great experience. They told me it would probably take a day or two to get them (which was my limit since I was going to be traveling) and they called me the same day to let me know they got them in early. Install took about an hour, although they really tried to sell me on "free replacement certificates", which they cut the price in half for (110 to 55) when I said I couldn't afford them. Overall great place though, and probably more info than you wanted haha

 

Thanks for posting all of this. I moved to Wisconsin from Alabama this summer and today was the first real snow I have had to negotiate. The All-season tires I bought last year are terrible for these driving conditions. I have to drive 13 miles to work with many hills and stop lights. Uggg...