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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:34:36 AM EDT
Got some Michelin x-ice xi3 tires installed a few weeks ago, and finally yesterday we had a good snow storm, so I got to really test them out this morning!
These things are fuckin awesome. I chose these over the blizzaks because the performance and ratings are soooooo similar, and these were less expensive plus they had a winter rebate... So, easy choice. 2004 Acura TSX lowered 1.5" on Comptech Sport springs Oh and, fuck traction control on a manual transmission vehicle!!! The tires: 
The snow depth: 
Car height: 
Testing in yard (lol): 
Made it out just fine!: 
Confidence inspiring out on the unplowed county roads: 
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:38:41 AM EDT
[#1]
Great isn't it?
I've got Blizzaks and they do awesome. The Nokian Hakkapaletti's are the best IMO though. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:42:15 AM EDT
[#2]
That's impressive
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:52:09 AM EDT
[#3]
'13 wrx sit here just had Michelin Alpina PA4s put on yesterday. Freezing rain today. Have almost 2/10ths of ice build up. Roads I was very impressed. On a solid sheet of ice which is most sides roads and all driveways. I was impressed but it's still ice.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:53:23 AM EDT
[#4]
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:53:48 AM EDT
[#5]
Yea, I never had an opinion on them until I bought a car that had a set on th back, and then it snowed/ iced up. Little NA mk3 supra open diff and I was tearing ass around everywhere no problems.
This year, same conditions, regular all season sport ties... thing was a mess. 
I am starting to believe the people that question the performance of winter tires have either never used them, or are more interested in trying to sound tough/ cool on the internet. Because the things work fucking amazingly. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:53:58 AM EDT
[#6]
Been using IceX tires on my DD Honda Accord for a long time. They work well.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:55:58 AM EDT
[#7]
dedicated snow tires are the shit.
I grew up in SWPA, with hills all around, and my crappy little rear-wheel drive car with snow tires took me everywhere I needed to go. Then I moved to Rochester, NY, for a couple of years after college, and the same setup got me to work every day through a lot of that wet lake-effect snow. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:56:45 AM EDT
[#8]
Hope I never see another flake again...
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:56:49 AM EDT
[#9]
Dry powdered snow is far different than a wet heavy snow.
Get back to us after you try the yard test in 8" of snow that fell at 35 degrees. 
Kudos to the tires though... I've used those before and they are impressive nonetheless. 
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:57:31 AM EDT
[#10]
I have a 2014 FORD Escape with Front wheel drive ONLY and with Blizzak tires, I can get through about 1-2 ft of snow. As long as I have the clearance; the Escape will make it through. They really are that good. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 11:58:10 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dry powdered snow is far different than a wet heavy snow. Get back to us after you try the yard test in 8" of snow that fell at 35 degrees. <img src=http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> hah... yeah don't do that... your tires wont matter when you are highcentered on the snow
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:00:23 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryThose are cute too! 35s? |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:02:56 PM EDT
[#13]
That's pretty damn good cruising around in that setup.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:04:09 PM EDT
[#14]
Yea they are nice. My girl has studddd hakkapwhateverthefuks haha, and she has no issues driving here. I didn't do snows this year cause of $$ for them on the truck but should be next winter.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:05:23 PM EDT
[#15]
Fuck snow.
But I have this because I have to deal with snow. 
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:05:28 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Those are cute too! 35s? Look like 37s |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:08:17 PM EDT
[#17]
AWD Lancer here. All seasons are ok, but Nothing like dedicated snow tires. This year I put General Ultimax Artic tires on and WOW.... so awesome.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:09:07 PM EDT
[#18]
I have seen that odd rainbow/prism tint on a lot of imports around here lately. Headlights, fogs, corners. I don't understand.....what's the appeal?
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:10:29 PM EDT
[#19]
Old Snow Tires used to have metal studs in them |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:18:32 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have seen that odd rainbow/prism tint on a lot of imports around here lately. Headlights, fogs, corners. I don't understand.....what's the appeal? <img src=http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> Some gay friends of ours also have that tint. They say its the new "upscale" version of this: 
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:19:11 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Old Snow Tires used to have metal studs in them Many still provide that as an option, but snow tires work so well these days without them. I haven't bought studs for my last 3 winter tire purchases. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:19:53 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Old Snow Tires used to have metal studs in them Those were the day. I think they were lead. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:21:17 PM EDT
[#23]
He can finally get to the gay bar with ease during a snow storm.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:21:54 PM EDT
[#24]
They are even more fun when you put more siping in them. Want to be mind blown get studded tires and sipe the shit out of them. Just remember... They will wear fast on dry roads. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:23:25 PM EDT
[#25]
Maybe a dumb question, did you replace all 4 tires or just the drive tires?
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:23:52 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Those were the day. I think they were lead. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Old Snow Tires used to have metal studs in them I use studded snows. Can't make it up the hill to my house without them. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:24:02 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Those were the day. I think they were lead. Tungsten, if I remember correctly. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:25:38 PM EDT
[#28]
Had a pair of Firestone Winterforce (close cousin to the Blizzaks) on the back of a '96 Town Car. Thing would go anywhere. Squirrely as a mudder fugger though on a dry highway. Only other vehicle that came close to that performance in snow was my '68 VW Bus.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:25:46 PM EDT
[#29]
I'm impressed. Makes me want to go get a set for my IS250.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:30:11 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Old Snow Tires used to have metal studs in them Plenty of places restrict them for road damage. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:31:50 PM EDT
[#31]
It is interesting that tread design can effect traction to such an extent.
As someone who has never considered snow tires since the rare snow here is a cause for celebration not gearing up to deal with it all winter. It would seem that once the treads grooves on any given tire are packed with snow they would all perform about the same maybe with the exception of knobbies or something like that |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:32:14 PM EDT
[#32]
A go cart can drive through powder, nothing special here.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:42:47 PM EDT
[#33]
I've been running firestone winterforce tires on my 4-cylinder work commute vehicle and they've always done me well. My other car is an AWD; I'm content to run all-seasons on it through the winter.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:50:10 PM EDT
[#34]
Yeah for plowing snow with your lowered sport compact.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:52:26 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A go cart can drive through powder, nothing special here. Nothing special about your garbage logic trying to do what exactly? I can't even fathom what sort of weird mentality you must posses to thing that a go cart in powder is analogous to a car in various winter conditions. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:54:44 PM EDT
[#36]
How many seasons are you guys getting out of your snow tires?
Serious question. I've never run snows but I'm thinking about it. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 12:56:34 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It is interesting that tread design can effect traction to such an extent. As someone who has never considered snow tires since the rare snow here is a cause for celebration not gearing up to deal with it all winter. It would seem that once the treads grooves on any given tire are packed with snow they would all perform about the same maybe with the exception of knobbies or something like that It's not just tread design. Snows are made with a different rubber composition that stays softer and more flexible in cold weather. You get better traction than with all seasons, even on dry surfaces, when it's cold. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:00:45 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It is interesting that tread design can effect traction to such an extent. As someone who has never considered snow tires since the rare snow here is a cause for celebration not gearing up to deal with it all winter. It would seem that once the treads grooves on any given tire are packed with snow they would all perform about the same maybe with the exception of knobbies or something like that They aren't good for just snow, even just freezing temptresses and dry, their compound makes them retain traction better than all season tires. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:02:22 PM EDT
[#39]
My snow tires. 49.2".
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:08:10 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dry powdered snow is far different than a wet heavy snow. Get back to us after you try the yard test in 8" of snow that fell at 35 degrees. <img src=http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Kudos to the tires though... I've used those before and they are impressive nonetheless. <img src=http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> The guy from GA talking about snow....cute. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:10:19 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The guy from GA talking about snow....cute. The guy from PA (35+ years) that moved to GA to get away from all that fucking snow.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:11:57 PM EDT
[#42]
This is my 2nd year running blizzaks. I'll never go another winter without winter tires.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:25:18 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How many seasons are you guys getting out of your snow tires? Serious question. I've never run snows but I'm thinking about it. Curious as well. I had been planning on a set for next year. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:29:09 PM EDT
[#44]
4x4 's are even more awesome
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:30:07 PM EDT
[#45]
I have an '07 Grand Prix GXP (the V8 one) and currently looking for new tires.
My hankooks only have like 18k on them, but down to final ~10%. Will be getting money off new ones because of this, don't worry. Anyway, someone said something the other day that stuck in my mind... "All-season is NO SEASON." Lol. I'm going to be selling the GXP in the next year, maybe two. Planning on getting a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, like 2 years old, and low miles. Will start using seasonal tires then. Was looking at those same Michelin 'ice' name tires. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:32:12 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Fuck snow. But I have this because I have to deal with snow. http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff503/nomadcity/IMG_20140413_143123554.jpg Uh your ride costs more than your house 
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:32:31 PM EDT
[#47]
I run Blizzaks on my Outback. On these curvy mountian roads going to work you need all the help you can get.
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:33:50 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Curious as well. I had been planning on a set for next year. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
How many seasons are you guys getting out of your snow tires? Serious question. I've never run snows but I'm thinking about it. Curious as well. I had been planning on a set for next year. Just like any other tires, it depends on how many miles you put on them. I put my Nokians on in November and take them off mid-April. I drive about 40k miles/year. This is my 4th season on them and I expect I'll get at least next year out of them. I've always gotten way more miles out of my Nokians than I expected, even when keeping the non-studded tires on year round a while back. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 1:34:05 PM EDT
[#49]
I have Generals too, same as yours I think (Articmax or something) . I heard they were actually rebadged Gislavads which were awesome. I'm having a really good experience with the Generals. I used to run exclusively Hakkapellittas but they seem to have been a bit "defanged" lately (probably to make them quieter) and went way up in price. The Generals I have now remind me of my original set of Hakkas which were amazing. I live in VT, road has 45 degree S turns on each end, and my FWD Matrix goes up them just fine. |
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Posted: 12/17/2016 2:12:59 PM EDT
[#50]
Mount them on a set of cheap-ass steel wheels from your local junkyard and swap wheels in the spring and late fall.
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