Winter Setups

FlyByGTI

Hi everyone,
Before I begin this, I know I know search button blah blah blah. I have been searching and reading up on threads for this. I also know some will flame me (flame suit on) for not only DDing my Z but also driving her throughout the winter but alas. That's the life of someone who doesn't need 2 cars and a motorcycle.

Anyway now that I have gotten all of that out the way. I was wondering what you all do (personally for your winter setups). I see the vast majority of people going with Blizzak LM-60s, some 19" (I don't really agree with that) and many running 18s.

I was thinking of going with the Blizzak because of the high level of reviews that I have seen showing them being more than competent in the snow/ice.

I guess my question is 2 things:
1. Recommendation on tire size (225/40/R19 vs 225/35/R19 vs 255/40/R18). Please note I have an 09 Touring with the sport package.

2. What are you personal setups for those who drive through the snow.

90 ST

Search button sucks!

Anyway, I have an '09 also with the sport breaks, I run a 225/50/18 front and a 245/45/18 rear Hankook Ipike for winter, on a set of 350Z track wheels no problems.

FlyByGTI

Thanks for the info. How do you like the Hankook??

kenchan

yah, LM60's are very good. i tried it on my G a few yrs back in deep snow.

since they come in stock 19 sizes, i'd just use the sport wheels and stock sizes. at least the car looks good in the winter too.

for me, i just hibernate my RWD cars though.

TreeSemdyZee

I bought rims and Blizzaks (model now discontinued) at 225/50-18.
Handles the snow big time. No issues at all.

FlyByGTI

Yeah I would have enjoyed having a secondary car for the winter but it just didn't work that way. I would ideally like to have a second set of wheels/tires so I don't have to worry about unmounting and mounting multiple times a year. I figured that running a smaller diameter would actually be better than keeping with the 19's

I saw that the blizzaks were on blowout specials which worried me (I wonder what they will be replaced with). The way I read your post, it sounds like you are running a square setup.

I am not worried about looks for the winter because everything in the winter just needs to get me from point A to B safely

kenchan

actually not so much the diameter but the width. narrower is better in the snow. so i suppose if you want to go the cheaper route, get the base 18" wheels and run their stock sizes which are like 225/245 or something.

FlyByGTI

Right that was more of what I was trying to convey. I think the one person I saw was running the stock Sport Rays on Blizzaks and I didn't necessarily think that was the best option. I'm trying to start this process early so I can make sure I have them before the cold weather starts

FPenvy

my winter set-up:

car cover
heated garage

done lol

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FlyByGTI

I can only dream of that setup...

One day...

6MT-Z34

I was going to buy blizzaks too but they were discontinued, I purchased Michelin x-ice 3's i believe which held great during this harsh winter...i bought 18's as well for the set up...the back wheel looked sunk in but since it was my winter wheels it didn't matter much...i think they were 215/50/18 i'll check for you and let you now, they are sitting in my garage now lol

FlyByGTI

Awesome. I appreciate it. I know some people have mentioned using spacers to fill out the back, but like you, I don't really care all that much for the winter.

TreeSemdyZee

Square is a pretty good bet for snow tires. I bought Blizzak LM25s 4 years ago and they are great. They were discontinued because they came out with the LM60s. They have tons of tread left. I have had a couple of flats in them, but they were both my fault. I'm probably the first human being ever to get a nail in their tire when they weren't on the car. Picked one up in my storage shed when the tires/wheels were off of the car.

I'd definitely recommend getting wheels. It takes me an hour or so to swap mine out and you don't have to pay a tire store every time you swap. I paid $1255 for wheels, tires and lugs in January 2010 from TireRack. Well worth the money.

m4a1mustang

I bought a set of base wheels and run Michelin Alpin PA4s in 245/40/18. I live in DC, though, so I wanted to run a tire that would still perform well on mostly dry roads.

Up in Pittsburgh I'd try to run a 225 square setup and a Blizzak since you're probably going to be dealing with much more snow/ice than I do.

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FlyByGTI

Yeah I was planning on just swapping them out myself before the snow hit so I've been lurking the wheel classifieds to pick up a set of wheels (trying to get lucky and get a full setup) but either way I am getting some winter tires for sure.

Note to self: Keep all tires away from you

Awesome. Thanks for the advice on it. I was leaning toward the square setup because it seems like a lot of people are having success with it.

Would the 225s clear the sport brakes though??