All-season tires for MSP

[SeR_Cyclops]

I have worked in the tire business for a few years now. The things that really deteriorate a tire (Dry rot) is 1. Weather conditions. The sun is horrible for a tire. 2. Road conditions, believe it or not it really depends on where the tire is driven. I have seen 18 wheeler tires that have been capped 5 time!!!! and still have good casings but I have also seen virgin casings that look like s***.

When storing a tire if you are looking to keep it in good condition keep it in a place that sun light will not beem in on it and also try and keep em in a basement where it stays a constant temp. Firestone uses a HUGE cave somewhere in the united states to store there tires so they do not dry rot. That means they must know something about storing tires lol.

 

[b_dues]

Interesting, I never knew the sun could rot a tire so quickly. I guess that's because mine have been stored in a dark shed, coincidently.

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

Yeah, and I also live in KY and I know where she is coming from most of our snows that we get in the winter are .5-2 inches are are usually off the roads come lunch time. Honestly it is not worth buying a whole different set of tires for the amount of snow we get. On a average year we (In southern KY) get about 3 snows. This year has been a bad year we had more snow this year than since I was about 3 years old......

 

[MSP_Heather]

Yeah, and I also live in KY and I know where she is coming from most of our snows that we get in the winter are .5-2 inches are are usually off the roads come lunch time. Honestly it is not worth buying a whole different set of tires for the amount of snow we get. On a average year we (In southern KY) get about 3 snows. This year has been a bad year we had more snow this year than since I was about 3 years old......

Someone who understands. I can see how winter tires would help SO much, but it's hard to justify the cost with the small amount of snow we get here. We just got 7-8inches on Tuesday, but that is SOOOO rare. If I find a used set for a good price, then great, but I definitely wouldn't invest a lot of money in them. I'm going to do some searching and see what I can find, but I'm still debating on whether to get new all seasons, or used winter ones.....

As for the Potenza's that me2 posted about... those are a bit more than I'm wanting to spend, but definitely worth keeping in mind. Thanks!

 

[Patrickenator]

the advantage of winter tires is as much for temperature than snow anyhow...all seasons/summer tires freeze solid in low temps, and thus lose most of their grip even on dry roads. I run summer tires year round right now, and DO NOT recommend it....

 

[43975]

I was about to mention the temp factor as well. My snow tires are so soft and remain "gummy" during the winter where as my summer set, are rock hard in the cold. It's almost like riding in a radio flyer lol. Anyway I don't recomend all seasons for a MSP what so ever. Atleast you'll have ideal footing majority of the time!!!
I found the dunlop direzza's to be a great value. If you can afford it spring for the star spec version

 

[11B-33T]

Interesting, I never knew the sun could rot a tire so quickly.

Average amount of sun in our part of the country is about 245 days out of the year..(sun).. Oh Yes, we can attest to prolonged UV exposure causing pre-mature wear of tires...

As to the OP, be safe & don't risk your life and MSP because you are saving money. You can always sell 'em later but better to have and not need than to need & not have...

 

[MSP_Heather]

What size snow tires should I be looking for?

/clueless

 

[43975]

I found that my 205/55 15 blizzaks fit very well.
I bought a newer set of snow tires but didn't know that the rims were from a Lexus (smaller center bore) so I added spacers to clear the hub. The rears rubbed the inner fender well with weight in the back or bumps. slitting the sidewalls. Had I run the right rim they would be a better fit those are 205/65 15 they fill the wheel well a bit nicer.

 

[MSP_Heather]

I keep going back and forth with this lol. I was looking at Blizzaks, but now I'm thinking about BFG g-force Super Sport a/s. A friend of mine here in Louisville has an MSP with those tires and he said they've been great. I'll have to think about it. Maybe get the BFGs since the snow should be out of here soon and save up over the year for some actual winter tires for next year.