mm7759

Hi all. Now that winter is rolling around, this will be my 1st non 4x4 winter in Colorado. I wanted to get some ideas on a couple things. 1st - the most economical way to get through the winter. 2nd - the best way. Do you guys just swap out your tires with snows? Or do you buy a winter wheel/tire package? I currently have the stock SE Bridgestones on my 2K2. I've been reading these are pretty bad, but had to fork over the cash just yet, since they only have about 5K miles on them. My SE has the TCS, but will that help me out much? I just wanted to get some ideas....THANKS!

bert

The Potenzas are DANGEROUS in winter. Words cannot describe the fear I feel seeing those in the winter. Don't, don't, don't keep them for the winter.

It cost me LESS to buy steelies and 205/65R15 Blizzaks than to put some 225 Toyo winter on there. The decision was a no-brainer. Less expensive, save my rims, narrower tire, better tire selection.

Simple, it's cheaper, safer and you get more performance from steelies and 15's.

Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. Base GXE's come with steelies.

MS 2K1 AE

I bought a cheap set of 16s with Bridgestone Blizzaks last year. The tires were cheaper in 16s than 17s, plus, I don't want snow induced curb rash on my good 17s.

I think the total package was under $900.

Padsy

iTrader: (1)

WALK!!!!!!

palmerwmd

Dedicated winter tires are more important than 4x4.
You will find a FWD (or even RWD) car w/ real winter tires like Blizzaks will outperform a 4x4 with all season tires.
TCS is nice to have, but tires are even mpre important.

Dont worry about winter at all.
Just get a set of Blizzks on there and you'll be more than fine.


Fred...

Kojiro_FtT

We had an ungodly warm winter last year, so I didn't get snow tires. But when we did see snow, boy was I scared. If I had a family to drive around, I wouldn't have even been on the road in the Max. I don't understand, if Nissan is gonna give us poor-performing tires, why not at least give us good all-season tires? These Potenzas aren't good for anything except to make a swing in the park!

jlageman

i got to agree with bert go 15's with slim tires, your car will stick like glue in the snow and ice

2k2kev

I got 4 blizzaks on steelie for $250. Shop around, you be happy you did.

wdave

Caution - the brakes on the 2k2 are enough larger that 16 is probably the smallest size that will fit - otoh I have seen 16" steels for $50 ea.

Cwa232

I have a 100 mile commute and was worried about the winter performance of the Potenzas. Last fall I picked up 16" maxima rims on ebay and mounted Dunlop Wintersport snow tires from the tire rack. I just couldn't stomach steel rims on the max for 4 months. The Dunlops made a world of difference. We had a late snow storm after I put the Potenzas back on the car and was shocked at how poorly they handled. I've heard the Blizzaks are the best, but wear more quickly.

I went with 16" rims over 15" because I didn't want to completely kill the looks of the car all winter, although I ended up paying a little more for the tires.

I wouldn't put my kids in the maxima riding on the Potenzas in even a minor snow event.

2K2 BLACK 6 SPD

On days that it is snowing, I'll just leave the Max at home where it will be safe and sound in the garage. I'll take my winter beater.

Eric

Ok, first of all I drove all last winter on the stock Potenza's in my 2k2 without a problem, so I don't know what all the fear-mongering is about. And I live in Ottawa Canada so I know what snow is.

You simply have to adjust your driving style to the conditions. A good majority of the time, the roads are either dry or wet. There are maybe 20 to 30 days through-out the winter where you are actually driving on snow.

Having said that, the Potenza's on our 2k 5-spd lost quite a bit of their grip over two years, and I didn't feel comfortable with the wife driving on those through the winter. I checked around, and like people have mentioned here, its cheaper to go with 16" snow tires with steel rims, which is what I got last winter. Plus, its easier to swap back and forth between the sets.