Blizzak performance on a FWD Hybrid?

[ThisWas]

Love my Blizzaks - much improved winter performance compared to the Continental racing slicks Ford put on my FWD truck in the factory.

However, your Falken Wildpeak AT's should also be good in snow, so you may not notice a big difference. I don't know if they've got the same soft rubber compound as my Blizzaks, however, which means they may not be as good on ice.

Also, I'm not sure that any tires will enable you to "move quickly from a start", so you may want to save your $$$ towards a purchase of an AWD or 4WD vehicle.

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[KevCuRaoi]

It snowed heavily in Chicago yesterday and my FWD hybrid Lariat, with brand new Falken Wild Peaks, was disappointing in its ability to move quickly from a start. It slid around from side to side and made me question my decision to go with a FWD. So I am considering putting true winter tires on, vs the Wildpeak AT’s which, while they have a 3 Peak rating, are NOT winter tires. The sales person at Discount Tire feels Bizzak’s will help significantly with traction due the softness of the Bizzak tire compound.

Does anyone have any experience before I drop $900 on another set of tires?

I've been happy with the Blizzaks on my FWD hybrid Maverick in Western New York winters!

 

[notfast]

The sales person at Discount Tire feels Bizzak’s will help significantly with traction due the softness of the Bizzak tire compound.

Does anyone have any experience before I drop $900 on another set of tires?

I'd agree with the salesperson. The rubber compound makes a huge difference, as do the micro serrations that can grip compacted snow and sheer ice.

I see it as...would you rather cross an icy pedestrian bridge with, work boots or studded ice boots? While work boots will probably work okay if you're mindful, studded ice boots will basically let you walk as if it was a dry, sunny day.

However, your Falken Wildpeak AT's should also be good in snow, so you may not notice a big difference. I don't know if they've got the same soft rubber compound as my Blizzaks, however, which means they may not be as good on ice.

Even with the 3MPSF rating, non-winter tires have to tolerate temperatures in the blazing sun, so the rubber compound will be optimized for warmer weather. There isn't yet any tire that can do just as good when the road is -20F and covered in ice as well as when the road is 130F or more on I-10 through west Texas in the summer time.

My personal philosophy is, if you visit the snow, 3MPSF tires are fine but you should also have chains or snow socks. If you live somewhere where it snows, I highly recommend winter tires.

 

[OB1e]

Check your local Facebook marketplace. I snagged a set of arctics for $250. Prev Owner said only used for four months last winter. The 3023 manufacturer date on the wheels confirmed his story.

 

[James K]

It snowed heavily in Chicago yesterday and my FWD hybrid Lariat, with brand new Falken Wild Peaks, was disappointing in its ability to move quickly from a start. It slid around from side to side and made me question my decision to go with a FWD. So I am considering putting true winter tires on, vs the Wildpeak AT’s which, while they have a 3 Peak rating, are NOT winter tires. The sales person at Discount Tire feels Bizzak’s will help significantly with traction due the softness of the Bizzak tire compound.

Does anyone have any experience before I drop $900 on another set of tires?

Tires are huge, kind of like a running back with Converse Coaches as compared with a running back with spikes. However, while you'll gain huge control advantages, you still have to watch out for other vehicles that are running all seasons.

 

[Lovejoy]

I live in Colorado and the performance of the factory tires on my 2022 FWD Hybrid was unacceptable in the mountains. As you described it was a particular issue getting started on an incline with any snow or ice. I have driven FWD in snow all my life so I was surprised how bad it was even with slip mode.

Based on recommendations on this site and from Discount Tire I bought four Blizzack tires and the improvement was dramatic. I returned to the same hill with similar road conditions and the truck had no issues whatsoever.
My only regret is that I didn’t mount them on a second set of wheels so I need to get them mounted every year. Consider buying wheels when you get the tires.

Yeah … good point … maybe even just some steelies for winter wheels would be good.

Tires are huge, kind of like a running back with Converse Coaches as compared with a running back with spikes. However, while you'll gain huge control advantages, you still have to watch out for other vehicles that are running all seasons.

agree … I am a tire guy too … just never had a set of blizzak’s. Appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[Timothyd]

It snowed heavily in Chicago yesterday and my FWD hybrid Lariat, with brand new Falken Wild Peaks, was disappointing in its ability to move quickly from a start. It slid around from side to side and made me question my decision to go with a FWD. So I am considering putting true winter tires on, vs the Wildpeak AT’s which, while they have a 3 Peak rating, are NOT winter tires. The sales person at Discount Tire feels Bizzak’s will help significantly with traction due the softness of the Bizzak tire compound.

Does anyone have any experience before I drop $900 on another set of tires?

Your hybrid has too much instant torque. Thr putting it in "slippery mode " and be very easy on the throttle.

 

[Lovejoy]

Your hybrid has too much instant torque. Thr putting it in "slippery mode " and be very easy on the throttle.

Very good point. I will try it … my hope is that “slickery” mode, combined with the Blizzak’s, will solve the dangerous wheel spin I was experiencing in my first heavy & wet snowfall in the Maverick.

 

[Deva]

what model of Blizzaks is everyone running?

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