Bridgestone Blizzak Tires

[ponyfool]

We have had a couple of days of heavy snowfall for the Portland area (just a light dusting to you folks in Canada and the like). But this was the first experience I have had with our minivan in the snow. I had Bridgestone Blizzak's put on at the beginning of winter, and they are worth their weight in gold! My front wheel drive Wagon Queen Family Truckster (aka Honda Odyssey minivan) with these tires does every bit as good as my old Subaru Outback with the studded tires it had. I couldn't imagine what that Subaru would have been like with Blizzak's.

 

[Mike-H]

Gees poneyfool....all you had to do was ask :huh: .....I've been running the Blizzaks on my winter vehicles for about 12 years....would've got you in the loop :lol: ....always willing to share with those of you that live in the balmy southern regions like Oregon :derisive: ....(they are a great tire)

 

[jwilly]

Minivan's are the coolest!! :glare:

-jwilly

 

[ionbeam]

they are worth their weight in gold!

+1

My car with 4 Blizzaks handles ice & snow better than our 4x4 PU did with studded tires. At least until the bottom of my car drags in the snow. I finally made my wife accept a set of Blizzaks for her 4x4 and after the first drive she says, "HOLY ****!" Every vehicle we drive in the winter now has Blizzaks. You do give up a bit of dry road capability but get back improved wet road handling in addition to ice & snow. The only issue that I have is when I dial up full power, my LT1 powerd cage can light up the Blizzaks even at 50 mph.

I haven't been able to find a pair of Blizzaks that fit my bike yet...

 

[twowheelnut]

Blizzaks were the only tires I fitted for winter driving. Best damn things short of chains.

 

[radman]

Too bad they don't last. That traction comes at a price. A price well worth it, mind you-but a price none the less.

 

[ionbeam]

Blizzaks work because of micro-channels that run vertically through the tread but only run 1/2 through the total thickness of the tread. This results in first 50% of the tire being both an ice & snow tire but after the first 50% is gone, so is most of the ice capability leaving just a good snow tire.

Over the last 2-3 years a couple of other manufacturers have started making a near equivalent tire.

 

[twowheelnut]

Too bad they don't last. That traction comes at a price. A price well worth it, mind you-but a price none the less.

I could get, typically, 3 seasons out of them: 11/1 on, 3/30 off or thereabouts. Prolly about 25-30 k and then, toilet time.

 

[FJReady]

I've been a firm believer in using 4 snows in the winter. Been doing so for 20+ years. RWD, FWD, 4WD, doesn't matter. I want the traction at both ends. Stopping and steering are at least as important IMHO as going. Its the least I can do to increase my family's safety as well as the others I share the roadway with.

My first Blizzak experience was about 11 years ago in a minivan also. Truly incredible. I know the naysayers will argue that new all-season tires are just as good. But it just ain't so. The compound of the Blizzak and other 'severe service tires' are made to stay flexible in cold temps. Hell, 70,000 mile all season tire compounds aren't flexible in 70 degree weather. How can they grip cold, slippery, irregular surfaces very well?

Almost all tire manufacturers have a Blizzak equivalent now (seen a TireRack ad lately?). If you have to drive in snow regularly, I recommend checking them out.

First winter I had the Blizzak's (on a FWD Windstar) I was going up the access road at Killington (Vermont) ski area. It was snowing and maybe 2-3 inches since plow had been by. I came up behind a Cherokee having trouble getting up the hill. I slowed to nearly a stop, then was able to pull out around an pass him, rather confidently. He had one rear wheel spinning and one front wheel spinning. The Cherokee tires could have been bald for all I know but none-the-less it was one of the few times I felt macho driving a minivan.

My $.02

 

[gr8eyes]

I have never considered snow tires here in OK, till this week. We usually have 4-5 days/year of bad weather driving but this ice storm has made me glad I have 4 wheel drive. If I lived further north I would have to consider the tires as well.

Glenn

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I have never considered snow tires here in OK, till this week. We usually have 4-5 days/year of bad weather driving but this ice storm has made me glad I have 4 wheel drive. If I lived further north I would have to consider the tires as well.
Glenn

Heh, Yeah.

We really need it! LOL

My house is still without power! :angry2:

 

[Pierre]

Michelin Ice is good also.

Gouvernment here in Quebec will have a new law soon. They will force people to have snow tires in winter.

They notice that too many people have accident because they have 4 seasons.

At minus 8 degress Celciusand below, I do not remember what it is in F, the rubber on a 4 seasons tire in not effective.

 

[MikeYork5]

What are snow tires?

 

[twowheelnut]

What are snow tires?

Used mostly in the transport of 'snow' over the border.