I bought a set of discontinued OZ wheels with the Blizzaks mounted from tirerack. With a floor jack, I can change over in less time than it takes me to drive to a tire shop.
Just been out on Blizzaks for the first time ever in snow. When I brake, my head snaps forward and the ABS doesn't cut in. When I accelerated my head snaps back ! Camry 3.5 liter. Better than AWD drive with standard tires and A LOT cheaper. $770 from tirerack including steel wheels and shipping. I am very pleased. Got a set for wife's Camry too and she drives herself to work and back now.
I can understand the pride, as Nokian makes superb winter tires, and they are made in your part of the world.
That being said, Ive got 29 Alaskan winters worth of driving under my belt, and can tell you objectively that Blizzaks are superb, and cost $50 less per tire than the Nokian.
I would never tell any one to not consider the Nokian, but the world doesn't rotate around that company.
I have a great deal of respect for Norweigian people, and the testing you speak of is convincing. If I add in the positive opinions of the people I know who use Haakkapelitta's, it is clear that it is a superb tire.
I would say that it comes down to a price point. If I have an extra $220-$300 when I buy my next set of snow tires, I'll try the Nokians.
On the other hand, if you've never tried the Blizzaks, you are hardly in a position to call them crap.
@FocusInAlaska Not only are they amazing in the white stuff but they are also great handling winter tires too. I have them on my infiniti g35 and i have been able to go through a foot of snow! that's a lot for a G imo. And when it's not snowing the side walls hold up real well and cornering is superb with little understeer in the dry and the does decently well in the rain with little hydroplaning.. Love my LM22's!
Mixing brands of tires or types of tires may have something to do with your control problems. The silica impregnated rubber doesn't extend the entire depth of the tread, so after enough wear the magic goes away.
My "summer tires' have been high performance, low profile (Conti-sports, BFG KDW's, HTR Z II) and these tires, excellent in the summer, are truly horrible in snow and ice. Any of the 3 brands of snow tires I've had on my SVT are at least 65% better than any of the hi-po summer tires
Have these on the rear of my FWD car and they are very good, have conti winter connect up front. One the ice not sure but at a guess winters are 10 - 20% safer than summers you can still loose control very easy.
You say that nothing puts up a fight with ice except studs, and this is what I disagree with. The Blizzaks are super on ice. I would venture that they are 90% the equal of studed tires, and better everywhere else. How is this possible? Ask the engineers. I'm just the lucky user.
maby so but i dont see how rubber that has tread but is still flat on the surface can be better than studs which really bite into the ice but yes i can see that the blizzaks are superior in any other condition im gonna buy a set myself for my a4 quattro
@FocusInAlaska they work so well because they are a very soft rubber and the conform around the ice making it harder to slip, and the snow doesnt stick to them as much as regular tires
so ur focus is fwd i would love to see it with the Michelin Xi2 since its in direct comparison with the Bridgestone WS60 and i cant find a video with the Michelin's...
they say the Bridgestone's are just an ordinary winter tire after 55% of wear o.O
Thanks for the reply some people swear by the studded tires though. People in Scandinavia say that studded tires are the best. I appreciate your input. Also, when you say poor traction, due you mean only upon acceleration? The rubber is still touching pavement I mean it can't be a huge difference, is it?
I've only dealt with two types of snow tires from two manufacturers (until I moved to this house, and this hill, all-season tires worked well enough). I don't claim to be an expert. I am well tuned to my car, and push it pretty hard. Perhaps the small difference with studs on dry pavement would not be an issue, but 10 foot shorter stopping differences can occasionally be vital.
The Blizzaks, which are not studded, are great on all these surfaces, but wear fast on dry pavement.
Studded tires are good on ice and snow, but offer poor traction on wet and dry pavement, and are loud as well. The studded Hancooks I had didn't track very well, the Blizzaks track very well.
Welcome to the club!
I bought a set of discontinued OZ wheels with the Blizzaks mounted from tirerack. With a floor jack, I can change over in less time than it takes me to drive to a tire shop.
FocusInAlaska 1 month ago
Just been out on Blizzaks for the first time ever in snow. When I brake, my head snaps forward and the ABS doesn't cut in. When I accelerated my head snaps back ! Camry 3.5 liter. Better than AWD drive with standard tires and A LOT cheaper. $770 from tirerack including steel wheels and shipping. I am very pleased. Got a set for wife's Camry too and she drives herself to work and back now.
armoredinnerjacket 1 month ago
Don't waste your money on that crap. Get Nokian Haakkapelitta, it's the only tyre that works in the winter.
Ideal1980 7 months ago
I can understand the pride, as Nokian makes superb winter tires, and they are made in your part of the world.
That being said, Ive got 29 Alaskan winters worth of driving under my belt, and can tell you objectively that Blizzaks are superb, and cost $50 less per tire than the Nokian.
I would never tell any one to not consider the Nokian, but the world doesn't rotate around that company.
FocusInAlaska 7 months ago 7
@FocusInAlaska
Every year they do extensive testing in Norway as to which is the best winter tyre, and Blizzaks are never among the top five even.
The best tyre is the Haakkapelitta R, then Continental ContiViking COntact 5, and Goodyear Ultragrip Ice+.
From personal experience, I can attest that the rubber compounds in wintertyres age and harden.
The Haakkapelitta tyre is the only tyre in which the rubber stays soft. So it will last more than one winter, the others do not stay soft.
Ideal1980 7 months ago
I have a great deal of respect for Norweigian people, and the testing you speak of is convincing. If I add in the positive opinions of the people I know who use Haakkapelitta's, it is clear that it is a superb tire.
I would say that it comes down to a price point. If I have an extra $220-$300 when I buy my next set of snow tires, I'll try the Nokians.
On the other hand, if you've never tried the Blizzaks, you are hardly in a position to call them crap.
FocusInAlaska 7 months ago 6
@Ideal1980 You store them indoor. They'll always stay soft.
dukviper90 5 months ago
@FocusInAlaska Not only are they amazing in the white stuff but they are also great handling winter tires too. I have them on my infiniti g35 and i have been able to go through a foot of snow! that's a lot for a G imo. And when it's not snowing the side walls hold up real well and cornering is superb with little understeer in the dry and the does decently well in the rain with little hydroplaning.. Love my LM22's!
dukviper90 5 months ago
@FocusInAlaska EXACTLY!!!! THANKYOU!!!!
coppersv1000 2 months ago
@Ideal1980
Nokian also doesn't make all sizes; they don't make any that fit my truck so I bought Blizzaks.
yellowwducky 3 months ago
@Ideal1980 completely not true...hakka's are overkill and ride like crap....the blizzaks get the job done well.
coppersv1000 2 months ago
Mixing brands of tires or types of tires may have something to do with your control problems. The silica impregnated rubber doesn't extend the entire depth of the tread, so after enough wear the magic goes away.
My "summer tires' have been high performance, low profile (Conti-sports, BFG KDW's, HTR Z II) and these tires, excellent in the summer, are truly horrible in snow and ice. Any of the 3 brands of snow tires I've had on my SVT are at least 65% better than any of the hi-po summer tires
FocusInAlaska 1 year ago
Have these on the rear of my FWD car and they are very good, have conti winter connect up front. One the ice not sure but at a guess winters are 10 - 20% safer than summers you can still loose control very easy.
JimmyJamesonJnr 1 year ago
i have a subaru forester AWD. i just bought my first set of blizzaks (no snow yet though).
anyone know how good they are on ice? my driveway gets very icy and is a hill.
thanks.
upwordbound 2 years ago
Blizzaks are superb on ice.
If you think of it, once you get a chance to run them this winter, post your thoughts here.
FocusInAlaska 2 years ago
there better than all seasons and summer tires obviously but nothing really puts a fight up with ice unless there studded
suprakilzz26 2 years ago
I really disagree. This is based off of about 20,000 miles of driving on studded tires, Blizzaks, and this year, General Altimax Arctics w/o studs.
FocusInAlaska 2 years ago
i mean i really dont see how just rubber no matter how well it is engineered can grip ice better than studs plz explain
suprakilzz26 2 years ago
You say that nothing puts up a fight with ice except studs, and this is what I disagree with. The Blizzaks are super on ice. I would venture that they are 90% the equal of studed tires, and better everywhere else. How is this possible? Ask the engineers. I'm just the lucky user.
FocusInAlaska 2 years ago
maby so but i dont see how rubber that has tread but is still flat on the surface can be better than studs which really bite into the ice but yes i can see that the blizzaks are superior in any other condition im gonna buy a set myself for my a4 quattro
suprakilzz26 2 years ago
the blizzaks have some suction tech. the tire literally suck to the ice for grip, instead of studs grinding at the ice.
steezking 2 years ago 2
@FocusInAlaska they work so well because they are a very soft rubber and the conform around the ice making it harder to slip, and the snow doesnt stick to them as much as regular tires
motocross639 1 year ago
once you go blizzak you never go bizzack. Bridgestone or nothing
nrgdancer2012 2 years ago 10
lol.good ad
wellshii 2 years ago
so ur focus is fwd i would love to see it with the Michelin Xi2 since its in direct comparison with the Bridgestone WS60 and i cant find a video with the Michelin's...
they say the Bridgestone's are just an ordinary winter tire after 55% of wear o.O
Flipster1325 2 years ago
That's not the tires that's just the car =] The focus can go so many places no one would have thought
raw6490 2 years ago
blizzaks FTW :)
siamiam 2 years ago
Whats FTW mean?
NAWELYORR 2 years ago
internet speak
F.T.W = for the win
:)
siamiam 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply some people swear by the studded tires though. People in Scandinavia say that studded tires are the best. I appreciate your input. Also, when you say poor traction, due you mean only upon acceleration? The rubber is still touching pavement I mean it can't be a huge difference, is it?
negativ90 3 years ago
I've only dealt with two types of snow tires from two manufacturers (until I moved to this house, and this hill, all-season tires worked well enough). I don't claim to be an expert. I am well tuned to my car, and push it pretty hard. Perhaps the small difference with studs on dry pavement would not be an issue, but 10 foot shorter stopping differences can occasionally be vital.
FocusInAlaska 3 years ago
How are studded tires in snow, ice, wet, and dry pavement?
negativ90 3 years ago
The Blizzaks, which are not studded, are great on all these surfaces, but wear fast on dry pavement.
Studded tires are good on ice and snow, but offer poor traction on wet and dry pavement, and are loud as well. The studded Hancooks I had didn't track very well, the Blizzaks track very well.
FocusInAlaska 3 years ago
Are these naturally good in the iwnter? i might be geting one soon and it snowed today so it would be nice to know thanks
dalejowen 3 years ago
With good snow tires they're fantastic. With summer performance tires they're horrible.
I've run studded tires and Blizzaks on this car, and am highly impressed with the Bridgestones.
FocusInAlaska 3 years ago
good. I just got it and I am thinking snow tires. i was l0ooking at the summer 17's on it not thinking to highly of it in winter. Thanks for the help
dalejowen 3 years ago
impressive! i own a 02 svt focus and i use nokian wr winter tires and they aregood for stop and go but good luck turning with the suckers
02svtguy 4 years ago