Snow Tires Revisited

[STLR FN]

Not really wanting steelies for winter and thinking of CVLX Sport wheels, I took some advice from SergntMac from a thread awhile back about playing with the sizes. Just finally got to actually doing it. Anyway, found a set of 17" tires that will work with the Marauder and are a matching set. I tried a few different combos and came up with this one.

Stock:
245/55/18 = 28.61
235/50/18 = 27.25
Differance = 1.36"

KDW2:
255/55/18 = 29.04
235/50/18 = 27.25
Differance = 1.79"

17's:
235/65/17 = 29.02
225/60/17 = 27.62
Differance = 1.4"

The 17's are close to the front/rear differance 1.36 v 1.4 not bad considering those that have KDW2 have 1.79" differance. My only real concern is that the fronts on the 17's are .5" taller, might cause rubbing issues. Dunno.

As far as snow tires go: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-18, Goodyear Fortera HL and Goodyear Integrity all have matching sets, with the Blizzaks having the best rating.

Maybe this can be an option.

All info was gatherd from 1010tires.com

[BillyGman]

I dunno about using a 29' tall tire in the back either. that's a good question. Ask Barry (aka "Cruztaker") because maybe he has done that. Anyway, just to make sure that you know this.....the Blizzak snow tires that you've listed might be okay in the snow, but they won't be quite as good as a true "Ice & snow" winter tire will be, and among the Blizzak tires, only the WS-50 model is the true "Ice & Snow" all-out snow tire. just making sure that you're aware of that. the Blizzks you mentioned (LM-18) will probably give you more miles before they have to be reaplced, but won't be as good in snow. There's always trade-offs.

[STLR FN]

Billy in referance to the 29" tall tire, people are using KDW2 255/55/18 which is 29" so I don't understand about not using a 29" tall tire in back, unless you're a saying that because it being a 9.25" wide v 10.03 wide.

As most should know, nothing is good on ice except chains and studded tires. The former I wouldn't run on this car and the latter is banned/barred by most/all snow belt states. Some tires are better than others, I'm just givng another option.


I dunno about using a 29' tall tire in the back either. that's a good question. Ask Barry (aka "Cruztaker") because maybe he has done that. Anyway, just to make sure that you know this.....the Blizzak snow tires that you've listed might be okay in the snow, but they won't be quite as good as a true "Ice & snow" winter tire will be, and among the Blizzak tires, only the WS-50 model is the true "Ice & Snow" all-out snow tire. just making sure that you're aware of that. the Blizzks you mentioned (LM-18) will probably give you more miles before they have to be reaplced, but won't be as good in snow. There's always trade-offs.

[jdando]

Can this problem be addressed in a different way? Can the traction control tire diameter ratio be changed via a programmer? This may open up our options for tires, especially with the 18" rims.

jeremy looking for snow tires

[BillyGman]

You're preachin' to the chior son......I was just letting you know that the tire manufactures top dog snow tires are being catagorized and sold as "Snow & ice" tires, and it's those tires that are their top performers in the snow. NOT the ones you were talking about. That isn't to say that the tires you've mentioned won't do better than the stock tires will in the snow, because I'm sure that they will. Just not quite as well as the "Snow & ice" tires will do (such as the WS-50 Blizzaks).

As far as the 29" tires, you stated that you weren't sure about the height being okay, so I made a suggestion. I've never used 29" tall tires on my Marauder, so I honestly don't know about that, and you've previously stated that you didn't know either. So that's the reason for my suggestion to talk to Barry about it. That's all. but if you've already spoken to others who have used 29" tires on their Marauders, then you're good to go.

[STLR FN]

I meant using a 27.62" tall tire up front. The rear I wasn't too worried about because we're using 255/55 out back which is 29.00". My bad for not making myself clearer. Yeah I understand about the WS-50 being top dog....

[BillyGman]

Okay then....no harm, no foul......communication through this written word thing can be challenging at times.......

[STLR FN]

None taken and yes written word is hard to get a thought across sometimes.
Okay then....no harm, no foul......communication through this written word thing can be challenging at times.......

[ahess77]

For anyone using 16" steel rims for winter tires, I've run the Bizzaks on my 99CV and I thought they were terrible. I'm in Detroit area where we get some snow, but most of the time you're driving in wet slop. The Blizzaks were terrible in the wet conditions, OK in fresh snow or snow pack.

I ran a set of Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo last year, 235 70R16 on the rear of my CV and they were much better as a combination of snow and slop driving. They also come in a 235 75R17 size. Of course you'll have to make your own decision on tire size not to disable traction control on the MM. The Duelers are an all terrain tire, loud on dry pavement but excellent in snow weather driving.

[BillyGman]

For anyone using 16" steel rims for winter tires, I've run the Bizzaks on my 99CV and I thought they were terrible. I'm in Detroit area where we get some snow, but most of the time you're driving in wet slop. The Blizzaks were terrible in the wet conditions, OK in fresh snow or snow pack.

I ran a set of Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo last year, 235 70R16 on the rear of my CV and they were much better as a combination of snow and slop driving. They also come in a 235 75R17 size. Of course you'll have to make your own decision on tire size not to disable traction control on the MM. The Duelers are an all terrain tire, loud on dry pavement but excellent in snow weather driving.Which Blizzaks did you have? Only one of them to my knowledge is supposed to be a full time snow tire. I use 16" Michelin Arctic Alpines and they're excellent in the snow. However, they aren't being made anymore for some reason. I believe Michelin has replaced them with a tire called "X-ice" or something like that.

[ahess77]

Which Blizzaks did you have? Only one of them to my knowledge is supposed to be a full time snow tire. I use 16" Michelin Arctic Alpines and they're excellent in the snow. However, they aren't being made anymore for some reason. I believe Michelin has replaced them with a tire called "X-ice" or something like that.

I don't remember the Blizzak model, I ran those in 2001; but they looked like the current Blizzak LM-50 and NOT the Blizzak REVO 1 tread pattern. It was a hard rubber compound and I only got about 15,000 miles out of them (of course they were spinning a lot of the time). The Blizzak REVO 1 looks like it might clear water a lot better, looks like a lot of the new rain tires with a large groove in the center of the tire.

Last winter I ran Michelin Artic Alpines on the front and the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo on the rear. That's been the best winter tires I've used so far. The Michelins were left over from 2004 where I had 4 of those and wore out the rears in one winter. At the time Michelin had two versions, the Alpines and the Artic Alpines, the Artic Alpine was the more expensive of the two. I don't know how those relate to their X-Ice and Alpine P??

[Dragcity]

I am brand new to the club and have been reading a bit. I am in a juxtaposition as well with my Marauder. I have been talking to a supplier of a Diablo Predator tuner, who says tire sizes can be set up in the computer through the programming via the tuner. Any thoughts?

I am in Buffalo, NY and we get snow! Last winter was overall pretty mild as far as accumulations go. I fear this winter will not be as nice. The few times we had deep snow was not good. I wound up driving my '94 Jaguar XJ 12, which has snows. 5,500 lb of 50/50 balanced car does real well in snow and ice...

I am looking for some assistance in choosing the right tuner and wheels/tires. Any comments will be appreciated.

Joe...

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard, Joe. Enjoy the site.

[snowbird]

I use 235-70-16 on steelees on all 4 corners and nothing rub but it is quite close.

No issue or problem but you have to run with the traction control switch at off all the time.

[Dragcity]

Wow! 16's clear the calipers. I would have never guessed it. I figured 17's would. How tall are those tires?

[RoyLPita]

The 235/70-16 tires are 28.95" tall. They are a tad taller that the stock 245/55-18 rear MM tires. BTW, are there 18" snow tires for the MM?

[jgc61sr2002]

joe - Welcome to the MM site. :D

[Dragcity]

Thanks...


I have looked at all the manufacturers of good snows and have found some that are good for the rears, but nothing for the front. Our rears are 28.5" while the front are 27.2"

The BF Goodrich g-Force have a 9/32" tread depth when new.

Perelli makes a Winter 210 Sottozero 255/60 HR 18 that measures 28.6" tall and has a tread depth of 11/32' Section width is almost a full inch less than factory, which is good for snow penetration.

That's the best I can do...

[BillyGman]

I don't remember the Blizzak model, I ran those in 2001; but they looked like the current Blizzak LM-50 and NOT the Blizzak REVO 1 tread pattern. ?? Then that might explain why the Blizzkas that you had weren't very good in the snow....it's the WS-50 model Blizzaks that are the full time all-out snow tire, as I've stated in a previous post in this thread.

[BillyGman]

BTW, are there 18" snow tires for the MM?Yes there are. The Blizzak WS-50 comes in 18" but it's more expensive, and you can forget about finding steel wheels in 18" because they don't exist. Therefore the extra wheels will be more expensive too.

[RoyLPita]

Yes there are. The Blizzak WS-50 comes in 18" but it's more expensive, and you can forget about finding steel wheels in 18" because they don't exist. Therefore the extra wheels will be more expensive too.

I just saw a 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the optional 18x8" steel wheels with a fancy plastic chrome face. The spare is a steel 18" wheel. They also take the hammer on wheel weights.

[BillyGman]

I just saw a 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the optional 18x8" steel wheels with a fancy plastic chrome face. The spare is a steel 18" wheel. They also take the hammer on wheel weights.Do you know how much they cost? I'd be surprised if they're the same cost as 16" steel wheels are (which is around $50- $60 per wheel).

[RoyLPita]

The 18" steel spare wheel goes for a $102.45 list. See what Ray "The Dealer" could get those to you for.

[ahess77]

Then that might explain why the Blizzkas that you had weren't very good in the snow....it's the WS-50 model Blizzaks that are the full time all-out snow tire, as I've stated in a previous post in this thread.

I agree, the Blizzaks I had were OK in snow, but not in wet road conditions. I traveled a lot from Detroit area to the west side of Michigan where they get a lot of lake effect snow. I would have wet/slushy roads in Detroit when I left and 6" of fresh snow when I arrived in Holland, MI. Those Blizzak tires were terrible on the wet roads.

[Skiordie53]

what other options for 17" winter tires just got a set of 05 town car rims really cheap.

[CRUZTAKER]

You're preachin' to the chior son......
No shat!

I'm done giving snow tire advice. :rolleyes:

However, I am an old school 16" studded snow tire user that didn't care what they looked like in the gawd awfull Cleveland snow, and salt, as long as I got around town with ZERO effort.

Playing with alternate sizes seems to be the new trend.

[jdando]

Here is another option for snows..

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/W300.pdf (http://%0Ahttp://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/W300.pdf)

With a name like Icebear they have to be good:beatnik:

They have a 235/50/18 and 255/55/18 that works with traction control (so I am told).

Just need to find a cheap set of wheels with curb rash now.

jeremy

[BillyGman]

Here is another option for snows..

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/W300.pdf (http://%0ahttp://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/W300.pdf)

With a name like Icebear they have to be good:beatnik:

They have a 235/50/18 and 255/55/18 that works with traction control (so I am told).

Just need to find a cheap set of wheels with curb rash now.

jeremyThat link isn't working for me.

[jdando]

Opps, my bad...

lets try this one

http://www.hankooktireusa.com/products_view_info.asp?Item_ID =28&CatID=6

click on the pdf for all the specs.

jeremy

[BillyGman]

Okay,got it. Thanks Jeremy.

[Skiordie53]

no one has any adivce on the 17s though?

[STLR FN]

Skiordie I was doing the same thing as you are and came to the conclusion that it is easier and cheaper to get a set of 16's Blizzak WS-50 than it is to find 17's that are the same as the Blizzak WS-50.
no one has any adivce on the 17s though?

[Skiordie53]

My rims are on their way though. dies anyone know if using a 215/55/17 front and 245/45/17 rear will work fine. that was the best i could come up with.

[2003DOHC]

My rims are on their way though. dies anyone know if using a 215/55/17 front and 245/45/17 rear will work fine. that was the best i could come up with.


http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

Try this calculator,the sizes you have listed will not work.

[Skiordie53]

I have been playing with tire calculators. I have not been able to find anythign closer. any tire experts here can i please get some help?

[jdando]

Not that I am an expert....

how about a 225/55/17 and 255/60/17

All this information was from the Hankook tire site.
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/products_view.asp?CatID=6

Unfortunately this appears to be an area with a limited breadth of experience in our group.

I think I will be one of the few who will run 18" snows.

jeremy

[2003DOHC]

A 235/55/17 matchs the front oem tires.

[Skiordie53]

any advice for rears. i need something that comes in a matching front and rear set. I am looking at The Bridgestone Blizzak ws-50 or the Dunlop wintersport -m3 or maybe ds-2

[Skiordie53]

dpes anyone know if the 255/60/17 will fit on a 7" wide wheel or am i screwed again?

[2003DOHC]

dpes anyone know if the 255/60/17 will fit on a 7" wide wheel or am i screwed again?


That size should fit a 7-9 inch wheel.

[Skiordie53]

now it soudns like my biggest worries is finding a set of towncar center caps. anyone knwo any good sources

[rayjay]

Just keep in mind that the wider the tire, the more worthless in snow.

[Skiordie53]

Realize that but have not come up with any solution that fitrs better on 17x7 wheels

[Gagfish]

I just went with a set of Nokian high performance snow tires on stock rims. They feel and grip almost like the KDW2 but not totally as "smooth" on sharp turns, you can feel more knobby tread somewhat. The dry grip is about the same otherwise. A set with mounting put me $1150 in the hole but to me it is worth it for ideal traction in all conditions. I used to run plain snow tires on my TBird and almost totaled it a few times in wet conditions.

Front: 235/50/18
Rear: 255/55/18