All Season vs. Winter Tires for Midwest Winter Rs

KetteringITR · Post by **KetteringITR** » August 15th, 2007, 9:54 am

Anyone have any comments regarding this topic? After attempting to run an Ohio winter on Yoko AVS ES100s, ive come to realize that the R is not a winter vehicle. However, buying better tires is much easier than buying a new car. So ive come down to the decision as to what tires to buy: all seasons (i.e. Kumho ASX) or full on winters (i.e. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25s). Other recommendations are gladly welcomed. I figured the Chicago/Detroit/Cleveland winter Rs would have much to say about this subject. TIA.

Side Note: Being in college still, ive figured that i would put my winter tires on when im home for Thanksgiving and leave them on until the end of March. Therefore, i would likely be driving several weeks in tepid temperatures with little adverse weather. Hence the question whether to go all season or winter.

Bbasso · Post by **Bbasso** » August 15th, 2007, 12:01 pm

I say get yourself a set of steelies and designated winter tires, the R from what I have read and seen are very very good in snow. having proper winter tires make a huge difference.
We in the NorthEast have some snow from time to time too

KetteringITR · Post by **KetteringITR** » August 15th, 2007, 12:46 pm

Thats a lie!!

I have a set of JDM 16s for my summer wheels and my oem 15s are pretty effed from road rash of 2 previous owners so i planned on jus using those. I was just concerned with running straight up winter tires during times when not always necessary (ie. not extreme conditions). Considering we dont get quite the snow that the northeast sees, i was curious if running all seasons would suffice.

Bbasso · Post by **Bbasso** » August 15th, 2007, 3:15 pm

I think if you are kind to the tires during the dry/warmer days they should return decent mileage. Remember that they do wear quicker then normal tire so two seasons might be all you get. (refering to snow tires) But if you do go with all-seasons make sure they have ''M&S'' on them, the RE 92s that came on my WRX were good for snow and sloppy elsewhere

Post by **Doespike** » August 15th, 2007, 3:27 pm

Winter tires for the winter; summer tires for the spring, summer, and fall; all-season for the........never!!

Just my opinion. You'll get more fun and better performance year round by having the right tire for the job.

Currently I have Dunlop Graspics DS-2's for winter duty (on OEM wheels) and Kumho Ecsta SPTs for the summer (on sexy hot aftermarket wheels

). I think I'll step up the summers to Kumho MXs after these SPTs wear out.

nautica_t · Post by **nautica_t** » August 15th, 2007, 6:37 pm

i don't drive the R during the winter, however i put winters on my daily and driving in the winter with winter tires are almost night and day compared to all-season tires.

i run Bridgestone Blizzak's last year, but this year, i'll be running Michilin X-Ice

KetteringITR · Post by **KetteringITR** » August 15th, 2007, 8:01 pm

How were the Blizzaks in normal driving (ie. non snow and 40+ degree weather)? Also how was tread life and all the other specs you noticed?

I still need to look into the X-Ices.