Snow tires:

[BillyGman]

I just bought a 2001 Crown Vic with low mileage ( 22K) and so this will be my daily driver. Just to let you guys know...I just found out from the bridgestone tire company that they've discontinued manufacture of their Blizzak WS-50 tires, and have replaced them with their Blizzak "REVO 1" tires. However, Tire rack still is selling the WS-50's just as I'm sure other places still have them in stock.

The manufacture claims that the WS-50 tires a little better in deep snow, while the new REVO-1 Blizzaks are a little better on ice and packed snow. I've headr that both tires are good, but incase any of you prefer the WS-50 Blizzaks, then you might want to act now if you need snow tires for your Panthers. I bought the WS-50 Blizzaks for my Crown Vic ( P235/65/16 for all four corners which are 28" tall).

[Mike Poore]

Billy, I put a set of Revo's on my F-150, solely because the Tirerack reviews show them to be the best tire available. They're smooth, quiet and wearing well. I like 'em well enough that I took a set along to Ohio for John's truck, last week. FWIW :)

[BillyGman]

Nothing wrong with that. But with a RWD car, my main concern is traction in the snow rather than how smooth or quiet the snow tires are on dry pavement. I dunno about the REVO 1's, but most tires that are advertised as being "quiet" or "smooth" on dry pavement, or that are supposed top handle well, usually compromise a little deep snow traction. it's a trade-off I guess, and with a truck that trade-off is no biggie. A RWD car is another story. Just my opinion.

[RoyLPita]

Congrats on your recent purchase. Would you like an OASIS report?

[AstroVic]

What is this *snow* stuff y'all are talking about?

I don't believe I've seen any of that stuff in a loooooong time. ;)

[BillyGman]

What is this *snow* stuff y'all are talking about?

I don't believe I've seen any of that stuff in a loooooong time. ;)Sure, go ahead.......rub it in.

[BillyGman]

Congrats on your recent purchase. Would you like an OASIS report? Yes I would. Thankyou for asking. I just sent you a PM. ;)

[Cobra25]

WHAT'S IS SNOW ? :dunno: Is that a Performance Mod? :hmmm:

[snowbird]

WHAT'S IS SNOW ? :dunno: Is that a Performance Mod? :hmmm:
I think it's one of those members living up there, in Canada; drunk on methanol ssssshhhh :)

[CRUZTAKER]

Also let it be known, the WS50 is extremely soft, and frequently gives the driver the feeling of 'floating' at high speed. Particularly in large cars. It drove me crazy in my Vic. I was always feeling like I was all over the road on the highway. The WS50 is geared more so for slower speeds and deeper snow.

I'll attest that I had no trouble in 12+ inches with the ws50's last year.

I ditched the WS50's last year for a a snow tire rated for highway speeds, and only giving up marginal deep snow traction.

The BLIZZACK LM25 is far more desirable at highway speeds.

Cruztaker runs LM25's on all our vehicles.;)

[Bradley G]

We are diging out from a foot of snow today.
Nothing better than dedicated snow tires, especially as you said "on a heavy rear drive car".
I have not put mine on yet, still inside the garage, waiting til it gets better ouside!
Here is to everyone, that lives where it does not snow.:razz:

[RoyLPita]

Yes I would. Thankyou for asking. I just sent you a PM. ;)

PM sent. :D

[BillyGman]

Thanks Brian....back at ya.....;)

[RoyLPita]

Thanks Brian....back at ya.....;)

There's another one waiting for you.

[Mike Poore]

Nothing wrong with that. But with a RWD car, my main concern is traction in the snow rather than how smooth or quiet the snow tires are on dry pavement. I dunno about the REVO 1's, but most tires that are advertised as being "quiet" or "smooth" on dry pavement, or that are supposed top handle well, usually compromise a little deep snow traction. it's a trade-off I guess, and with a truck that trade-off is no biggie. A RWD car is another story. Just my opinion.

Billy, I assumed good to great snow, ice and wet condition traction was a given. The Revo was the highest rated tire in these categories also, as I recall. The only reason I gave the smooth and quiet report was it's the only experience I have with them, since they've not seen any snow, yet. I do have experience with water, and mud, lots of mud, and they're just fine.:D
Also they're making s fuss about the tire compound getting softer as the tire wears, because they say do to heat buildup, the tires tend to get harder as they wear, and this compensates, somehow. FWIW:bs:

BTW, the truck's an '02 F-150 Flairside, shortbed, Sport 4x4/manual range selector 4.6/5sp, posi, leather captain's chairs, color coordinated spray-on bed liner, & ARE hard toneau cover. King Ranch wheels, and NO running boards.

[BillyGman]

Don't get me wrong Mike, from what I hear, I suspect that the Blizzak REVO-1's are very good in the snow, and perhaps you'll be finding that out from experience very soon. However, I called the Bridgestone tire tech line, and asked them point blank which Blizzak tire was better for all-out snow traction on RWD cars, and the guy told me that the WS-50 tire is better for deep snow, while the REVO-1 is better for packed snow and ice.

I'm sure that both of these Blizzak tires are good for deep snow, packed snow, and ice. I suppose that they just have their emphasis in different areas of winter driving. The tech guy said that if I'm looking for the ultimate in winter weather traction for my RWD car, then the Blizzak WS-50 tire would be best for country road/rural area driving where the roads might not get plowed right away, and there's less traffic which leads to deeper snow, and less packed snow being on the roads. And the Blizzak REVO-1 tire would be best for city driving where there tends to be more traffic even when there's a lot of snow, and the snow therefore tends to be not as deep, but is packed down because of the greater traffic volumes.

[ex00p71]

I had REVO 1's on my Crown Vic last winter and they were awesome, I mean I left my friends house drove around in the snow for a while, and then went back to my friends house to brag about how awesome my tires were. Then like I dumbass I burned off the two rears tires, and when I went to go get a set of tires for the summer time I forgot to keep the two good snow tires that were still on the front of the car.:(

Summary (REVO 1's were great and had no trouble going through the deep stuff, to bad I destroyed, and didn't keep them)

[BillyGman]

Thanks for the review. So are you going to get another set? Or is the Crown Vic gone?

[ex00p71]

The Crown Vic's still here, but I might try to squeeze by this year on the tires I have now, I wish I could get another set, but really can't spend the money right now. It was amazing how different a snow tire is different from an all season or a performance tire for that matter. Very deep tread with a very soft compound that went through anything. The only thing I didn't like about it is that when it was dry out and I was on the highway the car wanted to wander a little bit, but I think that's just the nature of a snow tire.

[BillyGman]

I have some 16" Michelin arctic Alpine snow tires left over from my Marauder. You can have them if you're interested. I didn't want to put them on my Crown Vic because they're two different heights ( front & back I mean) so they might set-off an ABS light. The tread on them is okay, but not like new ( seen 2 winters).They're also very good snow tires. I made it up Horton Hill Road in Naugatuck several times in heavy snow storms with those tires on my Marauder....