Winter Tires [Archive] - SVTOA Forums

SVTfcs

11-14-2002, 03:22 PM

Fellow SVT focus drivers! Do you realize that we are some of the bravest people EVER? :( Because soon we will be driving these hopped up Foci through the winter months. :( That's right. :eek: We are the first community EVER to attempt this feat. :eek: So everyone plug those engines in, put the fuse for your traction control/abs back in and fire up those heated seats (if applicable). I wish you the best luck in your dangerous journey that lies ahead.

Actually the reason I am writing this post is because I am wondering if anyone has purchased winter tires for their SVT Focus. If so please respond to this with some info., because I am slightly concerned about the directional tires I'm riding on now.

DXR

11-17-2002, 10:43 PM

Well, let me tell you - the Contis aren't for snow. I'm running PCW EMR 082's 16x7 with 205/55/16 Nokian Hakka Q's on them. 100 Times better. FWIW - fellow SVT'ers are running some Pilot Alpin's on the OE Rims.

trmn8tr

11-18-2002, 07:36 PM

Tirerack just delivered my Bridgestone Blizzaks in the stock size of 215/45-17 and Diversified Products in Plymouth has stock svt wheels for $125 each, thats my next stop.

I've used these Blizzaks on other winter beaters and they can't be beat, IMO.

SVTfcs

11-19-2002, 12:15 PM

Hey, I live right by Plymouth! I'll have to check this place out. Of course, cost is one of my main concerns because I'll only be using these tires like 2 months out of the year. :tmb: Thanks for the info guys. :tmb:

ForrdFanactic4ev

11-28-2002, 11:04 AM

I am new to FWD car, can i just mount M&S tires on the front wheels for everyday normal driving (read not high speed) or do i have to mount on all four wheels?

trmn8tr

11-28-2002, 10:55 PM

With the softer compound and handling associated with the snow tires I think all the manufacturers recomend the same tire be mounted on all four corners.

Haven't needed my setup so far.....knock on wood.

MKeller1

11-29-2002, 04:17 PM

Western New York (Buffalo/Rochester area) winters are brutal. Having a winter beater car is the norm. I didn't want to subject the all too fun to drive Focus to the salt, 6ft snow drifts, or the monsterously over populated Whitetail Deer hurds.

My advise? Take the money spent on winter tires, add a few bucks to it, and buy a winter car. Its a good thing I did. I hit three deer in the past two weeks. The '94 Hyundai Elantra I HAD for a winter car was totaled out last Saturday by my latest deer hit. Had it not been for the sacrifical salt rat my STVF would have been severely damaged. In the mean time I'm renting a car until I get the insurance money from the Hyundai and buy another beater......all to keep the SVTF out of the salt.

I can't wait until Spring.

-Mike

SVTFocus02

12-06-2002, 10:12 PM

im telling you right now, i live in lower connecticut, and we just got our first big snow fall of the year, and this car can grip worth s*** in the snow...i have a hill that i have to clime to get out of my neighborhood, and i couldnt get up it at all...take it slow guys, cuz you dont have any traction if your in the snow...i found that if you are going up a steep hill, take the trac off, and wing it...you are better off on the hill this way...but around town, leave it on

Ridgerunner

12-09-2002, 08:13 PM

trmn8tr....
<Tirerack just delivered my Bridgestone Blizzaks in the stock size of 215/45-17 and Diversified Products in Plymouth has stock svt wheels for $125 each, thats my next stop>

Thanks for posting this....but for a different reason.

I was cruising down I-81 last Friday night when I hit the Mother of ALL Potholes....about a 2ft wide by 6in deep section of the Interstate was just missing....I couldn't see it in time to miss it. It seriously bent my right front wheel. Luckily I remembered reading your post, and contacted Diversified and a replacement wheel will be here on Wednesday. Then I plan to send the bent one to TransWheel in Maryland to have it repaired and kept as a spare.

Thanks for the info! Don

ForrdFanactic4ev

12-09-2002, 08:30 PM

Ridgerunner
did you buy 4 new blizzaks or just two.
i need to buy snow tires but i want to know if i can get away with buying only two liek a RWD car.

thanks

Ridgerunner

12-10-2002, 07:22 PM

ForrdFanactic4ev....

All I ordered was a replacement 17in wheel. I am looking for some 16in wheels to mount some winter tires on....as soon as I can find the cash.

It is my belief that you should always mount 4 similar tires, whether you have FWD, RWD or AWD. Since all your tires are involved in braking, you want a balance of similar traction properties all-around. Years ago, when I was strapped for cash, I had snow tires on the front of my Civic and regulars on the back...but it handled strangely on dry roads.

I have had excellent results with Blizzaks on several of my cars. I believe they are the best winter tires, and although no tire can beat chains or studs on ice, Blizzak's do a great job up here in the mountains.
Don

ForrdFanactic4ev

12-11-2002, 09:28 AM

everybody

thanks for the feedback on my question. I am between jobs now (unemployed) and money is tight.
i will probably buy 4 of the blizzaks from firestone dealer.I have heard that they wil remount and balance your summer tires at no charge. Does anyone have any inforamtion about this?

trmn8tr

12-11-2002, 04:41 PM

FordFanatic, that sucks man hope things turn around quick for you.....

Tirerack had the best price I could find for the Blizzaks, even with the shipping I saved about $120 over what I was seeing locally pricewise. Of course this way you would still have to pay for mount/balance. But that can be had pretty cheap anyway.

That decent snow we had last week allowed a brief run with the setup and it seemed very suitable for the task.....very Blizzak feel to them....for those that have had them.....

The potholes are my only worry now.....once they begin to appear a bent rim(that sucks Don) may be in my future also. The sidewalls are miniscule and I still worry that a 16" setup with a larger sidewall, like the guys at SVT told me to do, may be the way to go..Let us know how the 16" setup works for you Don. TIA

Fbeauchamp

12-11-2002, 05:17 PM

I'm using 4 Toyo 215/45-17 winter tires and they are like magic. We have crazy winters her in Canada and beleive me, those tires kick ass! They have nut shells in the rubber that help you when you brake. Toyo all the way!

skatepunk

12-12-2002, 03:41 AM

Went with the dunlop graphics 215/45/17's not bad

any one notice with the winter tires on the car the back end is alittle more... ummm... loose?

Might just be my tires :huh:

Blurry

12-13-2002, 12:14 PM

I just bought a SVTF 2 weeks ago...living in Maine...snow is a problem...I bought 4 Yokohama F-721...and I love them..

Jcolitti

12-14-2002, 08:02 PM

I just bought 4 new blizzaks 215 45 hr 17 and i love the way they handle in the snow. I have noticed the car is a little looser on dry pavement though.

Ridgerunner

12-20-2002, 06:14 PM

<Let us know how the 16" setup works for you Don>

I guess I will have to wait after Christmas, and see how much money I have left...;)

After replacing the wheel, things STILL didn't feel right, so I took it to Sears and found the alignment was off in the front and WAY off in the rear. (darn pothole! :mad: ) Now the cars is butter-smooth again!

I have Blizzaks on my Swift, Graspics on my SVX, and Guardex (Yokohama) on my Impreza. Allowing for FWD vs. AWD, I would still rank them (1)Blizzak (2)Guardex (3)Graspic. Blizzaks are weak in the dry, Guardex is weak in the rain, Graspics are not as grippy in the snow and ice as the others, but makes a better regular road tire when conditions are not real nasty. I will have to look up the Toyo winter tires....I don't remember reading anything about them.

Has anyone seen any recent winter tire tests published anywhere? :confused: Don

old_one

12-26-2002, 12:04 PM

I'm using Michelin Alpins front and back on some new SVT rims in OEM size... had 10" snow in last day... no problems love these tires. Also on dry or wet pavement they are sweet as well.

Blurry

12-26-2002, 12:07 PM

Maine just got 18-23 inches of snow....I had an opportunity to drive my SVTF to work with my Yokohama Guardex F-721...FANTASTIC!...Don't need to use my Bronco no more...

Jonny Bolt

12-27-2002, 12:41 PM

Damn. I live in NH, on the coast, and we jus gut between 12 and 15 inches of snow. I need some wintah tie-yiz, but i cant 'Ford em right now. this sux

Buzzsaw

12-27-2002, 04:10 PM

I'm just up the road from ya in NH. I too am cursed with the stock tires for this winter but after the Christmas snowfall I've gotta say I'm not too disappointed in what's on there now. The traction control seems to help as well but winter shoes would give me MUCH more piece of mind.

Blurry

12-30-2002, 05:59 AM

I'm a little further north...in Freeport, Maine....I had to go and buy some snow shoes for my SVTF....$525 for a set of four Yokohama Guardex F-721...expensive but worth every penny...I figured it is cheaper than skidding and hitting something...I don't even take out the Bronco anymore in the snow...Our size was very difficult to find...finally a local "Cooper" dealer...found four..the price was not much more than Tire Rack..

glhracing

01-09-2003, 05:53 AM

Hey guys...
Over here in Concord.. Running on Blizzaks..
$120 each from Tirerack.com
I Challenge you to a Ice Race event !
Just to see just what tire is better ;)
Brian

Blurry

01-09-2003, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by glhracing
Hey guys...
Over here in Concord.. Running on Blizzaks..
$120 each from Tirerack.com
I Challenge you to a Ice Race event !
Just to see just what tire is better ;)
Brian

I've heard great things on the Blizzarks, which model? Did the $120 for 17" did that include shipping and then who mounted and balanced them? How much was that? I paid $525 but that was the tires, mounting, alignment, damage protection, and I can go back anytime and have my summer tires put on...I think I got a pretty good deal...

Ice racing is better left for those driving 88 Sciroccos and Rabbits with 3 inch spikes for traction...Ice racing is a blast.:tmb:

glhracing

01-09-2003, 06:07 AM

I have the WS-50 tire
It was $550.00 delivered, mounted and balanced..
I did not get the free changeover deal..
Most of them are a joke, you get free mounting but have to pay to balance the wheel, oh and balancing costs $12.. :huh:
hope that is not the deal you got..
anyway..
Enjoy the snow
B~