225/45/18 snow tire, OK?

[Mr.Tan]

Just a simple question regarding snow tires. TireRack has the Blizzak WS80 listed for an alternative size of 225/45/18 instead of the "recommended" 245/40/18. I know a skinnier tire will cut through snow better, plus they're a good deal cheaper in the 225/45. Is it OK to run this on the S4 without issue? I never usually run a snow tire on my car (haven't on any i've owned) but my tires are wearing out, and i plan to get 19's for next spring/summer so I figured i'd put snow tires on the stock 18's and run a smaller size if possible.

[The Fat Kid]

Those are the exact tires I had on my winter setup; they definitely fit.

Are you driving on a lot of snow, or usually just on cold, plowed roads? The WS80s are beasts in the snow and OK when it is ridiculously cold outside, but you might hate them in PA since you guys usually have less snow and warmer temps.

[o1turbo30v]

As long as the weight and speed ratings are ok then you'll be good to go. I agree with The Fat Kid, those blizzacks are amazing in the snow/slush/ice but suck in the dry, i sold those and bought the Hankook I'Cept Evo2 W320, amazing tire in all conditions.

[Jv218]

I run the same size using the yoko ice guard 52 and have had no issue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MN Blue S4]

I run this size as well with Michelin X-Ice tires. Traction is unbelievable in snow and ice. I do find the dry pavement handling is a lot more "squirmy" than my summer PSS but I honestly don't know if that is due to the narrow size or the winter characteristics of the tire. Most likely a little of both. Bottom line is that tire size works just fine for the winter.

[Mr.Tan]

glad to know the tire sizes will work,thanks for the clarifications!


As far as conditions around here--- its kind of a 50/50 chance for weather. We got slammed with heavy snow last year at some points but it was fairly dry and alittle warmer later than usual. Plows always come at night so during the day it can be tricky. It does seem that we get a lot more ice and slush, which i always get stuck driving home in from work, and now I live at the top of a steep hill and drive the highway in the mornings so I want to be safe. (i take the highway in the morning and the city coming home due to traffic). Performance isn't necessary for me, i drive kind of boring most of the time. I just want to know i can get anywhere i need to and be reassured my tires will handle the condition if it gets shitty real quick (which it does here)

[MacFady]

I'd double check the load rating, usually pretty limited selection in 225/45 with the correct load rating if I recall, might not be a big deal to you though. My A4 came with a lower index load rating tire on it and I didn't think much of it at the time since a few numbers this way or that is no different than a passenger being in the car etc. but I ended up blowing a belt in a Michelin PS Alpine.

[SportVier]

225/45/18 snow tire, perfect.

[Mr.Tan]

I'd double check the load rating, usually pretty limited selection in 225/45 with the correct load rating if I recall, might not be a big deal to you though. My A4 came with a lower index load rating tire on it and I didn't think much of it at the time since a few numbers this way or that is no different than a passenger being in the car etc. but I ended up blowing a belt in a Michelin PS Alpine.

i've never really taken into consideration load rating before. The WS80 in a 225/45 says that its load range is XL with a max load of 1,521 lbs per tire

[jl87]

That's the optional tire size on tire rack and what I run. Blizzak WS80.

[jygesq]

[QUOTE=Mr.Tan;11958016]i've never really taken into consideration load rating before. The WS80 in a 225/45 says that its load range is XL with a max load of 1,521 lbs per tire[/QUOTE xl is fine higher load rating than required

[hotleadsingergu]

glad to know the tire sizes will work,thanks for the clarifications!


As far as conditions around here--- its kind of a 50/50 chance for weather. We got slammed with heavy snow last year at some points but it was fairly dry and alittle warmer later than usual. Plows always come at night so during the day it can be tricky. It does seem that we get a lot more ice and slush, which i always get stuck driving home in from work, and now I live at the top of a steep hill and drive the highway in the mornings so I want to be safe. (i take the highway in the morning and the city coming home due to traffic). Performance isn't necessary for me, i drive kind of boring most of the time. I just want to know i can get anywhere i need to and be reassured my tires will handle the condition if it gets shitty real quick (which it does here)

They're worth buying, but you might not need the Blizzaks for a PA winter. I bought the newer Yokohamas last year and I couldn't be happier. I live in Cleveland, where the winters can either be relatively mild (last year) or insanely bad (forecasted for this year). The 2 bad snowfalls last year were like nothing...my car didn't even notice the foot of snow that fell in 4 hours while I was at my friends' place. I was driving out of their development with snow up to the grille and the car was driving like it was an 80F summer day. I went with 18" wheels and thinner tires, and I was extremely impressed.

Just to note: Winter tires almost always have a lower top speed than the rest, no matter the performance level. I know you said you generally drive boring, but it's always good practice to set the Speed Limit Signal in the car. My winter tires are only rated to 116Mph, so I set it to 100Mph, just to be safe. I figured I wouldn't come close to it, but with the ability for these cars to pick up speed I hit it more than a few times passing someone on the highway. It's good to have something remind you that you're not running your PSS :)

Here are the tires I run:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....m=44TR8IG52CXL

[Mr.Tan]

They're worth buying, but you might not need the Blizzaks for a PA winter. I bought the newer Yokohamas last year and I couldn't be happier. I live in Cleveland, where the winters can either be relatively mild (last year) or insanely bad (forecasted for this year). The 2 bad snowfalls last year were like nothing...my car didn't even notice the foot of snow that fell in 4 hours while I was at my friends' place. I was driving out of their development with snow up to the grille and the car was driving like it was an 80F summer day. I went with 18" wheels and thinner tires, and I was extremely impressed.

Just to note: Winter tires almost always have a lower top speed than the rest, no matter the performance level. I know you said you generally drive boring, but it's always good practice to set the Speed Limit Signal in the car. My winter tires are only rated to 116Mph, so I set it to 100Mph, just to be safe. I figured I wouldn't come close to it, but with the ability for these cars to pick up speed I hit it more than a few times passing someone on the highway. It's good to have something remind you that you're not running your PSS :)

Here are the tires I run:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....m=44TR8IG52CXL

I've been going back and fourth mostly because of how spotty winters can be here. My parents and most friends have always used blizzak's around here in past years, so thats kind of why i keep getting drawn to them. Last year we got hit with probably 30" of in 2 days from the one storm, then it kind of faded off and we really didn't get much else but ice and everything. The roads were total hell for about a week because there was no where to go with the snow and it was too cold to melt.... and they're saying this winter will be bad here too so i'm getting a bit over protected LOL. I also got a job promotion so its a bit more important for me to be getting to/from work in bad weather.

I was stuck between the michelin x-ice xi3 and the blizzak originally

I didn't know that about winter tires so i'll have to set the alarm for it. Speed does easily creep up in these cars. I don't flip the car around alot but i do have a heavy foot haha.

[jprice]

I've been going back and fourth mostly because of how spotty winters can be here. My parents and most friends have always used blizzak's around here in past years, so thats kind of why i keep getting drawn to them. Last year we got hit with probably 30" of in 2 days from the one storm, then it kind of faded off and we really didn't get much else but ice and everything. The roads were total hell for about a week because there was no where to go with the snow and it was too cold to melt.... and they're saying this winter will be bad here too so i'm getting a bit over protected LOL. I also got a job promotion so its a bit more important for me to be getting to/from work in bad weather.

I was stuck between the michelin x-ice xi3 and the blizzak originally

I didn't know that about winter tires so i'll have to set the alarm for it. Speed does easily creep up in these cars. I don't flip the car around alot but i do have a heavy foot haha.

"Blizzaks" is not descriptive. There are multiple models, and they are significantly different. If someone says Blizzaks would work well, they're not really helping.. it's a brand name not a model.

Blizzak WS80 (and previous WS models) are studless winter tires, designed for ice and snow grip. These are much softer on the dry roads in trade off for the ice and snow performance. The outer 55% or so of the tread on these are the tube multicell compound. Once half worn, you should replace as the winter grippy rubber is gone.

Blizzak LM001 (and previous LM models) are high performance winters. These are designed to handle winter conditions, but not sacrifice so much on the dry roads. The aren't near as good on ice as the WS series, but still better than a typical all season on ice. This category of tire (Performance Winter) typically is a good choice when someone lives in an area that does get snow, but most the time the roads are dry or wet.

So I think based on what you're saying, you should lean toward the high performance winter tire category
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/...t.jsp?perf=PPW

[Mr.Tan]

"Blizzaks" is not descriptive. There are multiple models, and they are significantly different. If someone says Blizzaks would work well, they're not really helping.. it's a brand name not a model.

Blizzak WS80 (and previous WS models) are studless winter tires, designed for ice and snow grip. These are much softer on the dry roads in trade off for the ice and snow performance. The outer 55% or so of the tread on these are the tube multicell compound. Once half worn, you should replace as the winter grippy rubber is gone.

Blizzak LM001 (and previous LM models) are high performance winters. These are designed to handle winter conditions, but not sacrifice so much on the dry roads. The aren't near as good on ice as the WS series, but still better than a typical all season on ice. This category of tire (Performance Winter) typically is a good choice when someone lives in an area that does get snow, but most the time the roads are dry or wet.

So I think based on what you're saying, you should lean toward the high performance winter tire category
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/...t.jsp?perf=PPW

i mentioned a few posts up & in my original post that i was looking at the WS80, i guess i assumed most people would have seen that. We get a majority more ice than we do accumulated snow most of the time, thats why i'm leaning more towards the WS80

[MN Blue S4]

If you are down to the X-Ice or the WS80 I don't think you could go wrong with either one. Perhaps the best approach is to go with the one you can get the best deal on. As I said earlier above, I run the X-Ice in Minnesota winters and they are awesome. Traction on snow and ice feels almost like dry pavement with these.

[jprice]

i mentioned a few posts up & in my original post that i was looking at the WS80, i guess i assumed most people would have seen that. We get a majority more ice than we do accumulated snow most of the time, thats why i'm leaning more towards the WS80

You definitely did :) ... I got this thread and another mixed up. Sorry for that rant here ;)

I run the Nokian Hakka R2s, and love them. I'm in an area that gets ice for a long time, but also drive dry interstates almost every day in the winter.
https://www.nokiantires.com/winter-t...kapeliitta-r2/

Here's a recent test comparing several of the tires discussed here including WS80, Xi3, Hakka R2, Ice Guard
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ce-data-page-3

[Mr.Tan]

You definitely did :) ... I got this thread and another mixed up. Sorry for that rant here ;)

I run the Nokian Hakka R2s, and love them. I'm in an area that gets ice for a long time, but also drive dry interstates almost every day in the winter.
https://www.nokiantires.com/winter-t...kapeliitta-r2/

Here's a recent test comparing several of the tires discussed here including WS80, Xi3, Hakka R2, Ice Guard
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ce-data-page-3

LOL no worries.

Seems like a lot of people run/like the hakka R2's on this forum. I looked them up and did some reading, it seems like they're super impressive and go well on ice and through all types of snow levels. Price is alittle more than the WS80 in same size, but i'd imagine its worth it? I dont want issues driving on dry roads and it seems like some people say the Ws80 gets alittle squirmy