Snow tire thread......dammit.

It couldn't be that long ago, considering your youthful appearance.

Greg

 

Winter = Blizzak LM 25 RFT
Summer = Michelin pilot sport PS2 ZP
BMW 335d, RWD

 

I had general altimax HP all seasons on my Audi Allroad. Even with the advanced AWD my car has, those tires were not great, and the rubber hardened up after a year, making then even worse in snow and cold.
Granted those are more of a high performance summer oriented all season tire,still rated for light snow use, but the fact that they quickly went from sure to harder made them ride worse than they should have at all times, in addition to not grip well in winter.

I'm considering the altimax arctic for my audi, so it's good to hear you like them on your AWD vehicle. How many miles do you have on them?

The Allroad gives me a tougher time for tire choices due to the adjustable airbag ride height system. The front tires get more wear on the inside, and the backs eat the outside up was quicker. Depending on what ride height you leave it at, it wears even quicker than other settings.

Because of the suspension system on my car, I look for outer shoulder blocks that are more solid as that appears to give me more tire life. On winter tires finding more solid outer shoulders is tough, and also somewhat defeating partly why winter tires work so well.

 

So far about 10k. This is the beginning of the second season and they're still as pliable as new. The only thing I don't like about them is they are directional....

 

Yeah, the directional thing sucks for my car too. It sure makes it tougher to get decent wear out of them.

 

Went to check on my options for my wife's Avalanche. I am glad my tire guy was honest with me about my opinion. Had a brand and style of tire that I really liked. Notice how references are in past tense. They don't make them any more. When I said the reason I liked them because they grabbed so well and had good lifespan for as aggressive a pattern as they had the tire guy said that is why they were discontinued. Huh??? Yep too long between needing new sets cuts into profits. Companies would rather make a mediocre product and sell it to you twice than make a great product and sell once. Ain't it great.

 

Yup, the Goodrich all terrain T/A is one of those. Used to be awesome, then the T/A KO came out with terrible longevity, and now the T/A KO2 is out in response to longevity gripes from customers. I have a set of the KO2S on a 2500 dodge with a 24 valve diesel. We'll see have it goes.

 

Finally got the Blizzaks/Rials on. Looks like I'll get one more season out of them. I'll have to think about what I'll replace them with next winter. Thinking about a tire more focused on cold and wet with better dry handling vs. maximum snow and ice performance like the Michelin Primacy PA3. Whatever, I've got 12 months to figure it out.

 

Or you could just get rid of the car... bmw, Yuck.

 

I don't suppose anyone has tried this, but in order to get better wear out of the directional tires and avoid having to buy new tires, why not just have them re-mounted/balanced but only with the sidewalls inside out; outside in? Kinda like mounting whitewall tires with the blackwall on the outside and the whitewall on the inside, get it? They would then work on the opposite side of the car, right? And only have to pay the mounting/balancing fees.

 

I think you will like them. New ones rated for 60,000 km. For most people I think they are first rate.

 

Sounds like a good idea. Why not?

 

OK, that's settled! One Yooper and one Canuck think so. Next problem?

 

There is no inside or outside on a directional tire, the big reason why most people don't remount and balance is cost. Why try to save basically the wear of 1/4 tire when the savings is spent on the labor for the savings. It's more cost effective to simply mount up all new tires...

 

Not familiar with your weather challenges but up here we go with 2 sets rims and the best application specific tires available. A/S don't cut it in winter around these parts. Wife has a Subaru and winter tires make day and night difference.

 

Wrong! Get yourself a tire facsimile and mark one left and one right. mark the directional arrow on them. turn them inside out and put them on the other side.
You're welcome, no charge!

 

Lol