Hey guys. I live in Chicago, and we've been getting snow bombed. I can't afford a beater because I drive almost 90 miles a day and need something reliable. Last week, I hit a patch of ice and wrapped my car around a tree. I'm scared of driving in snow as it is, and I need help. So to summarize:

1) I can't afford a second car.
2) I can't move, it's not feasible.
3) Studs are illegal.
4) I have 18" tires and can't afford to get new rims too so i can downsize.

I've heard Blizzak's are great. I have an '08 GT. And I need traction. I have to stop at a lot of hills, and I do a lot of highway driving. I have to drive through a lot of slush and packed snow where you can't even see the lanes. I have ground effects which lower my profile even more. Please don't tell me I'm screwed. Will Blizzak's and some weight in the trunk allow me to get through this hell?

 

Definitely add a little weight in the trunk (~50-100 lbs or so). Keeping the gas tank near full will also keep weight on the rear wheels. Someone else will have to chip in with tire suggestions. Start in 2nd gear if manual.

Just looked at the Blizzak's, and they seem to be an excellent tire. Though maybe someone on the forum has first hand experience.

Dustin

 

When I used to live in Jersey I remember people putting cinderblocks in the trunk to weight down the back. I also remember people throwing in large bags as well, must have been something they got from a hardware store like a bag of woodchips, fertilizer, etc. Don't know if it helped any as I wasn't old enough to drive back then and when I did become of age, always had 4x4 or fwd.

Then I got much smarter and moved so I only have snow if I want to see it and get to enjoy driving (and wearing shorts) almost all year around.

Good luck.

 

Does anyone else have any experience with my setup? The weight is a now brainer although I dont know how much. Do snow tires like Blizzaks honestly make much of a difference? If so, how much? Will they plow through heavy slush, compact snow, and ice? Still taking suggestions. My car is due to be fixed any days from the body shop.

 

double post

 

Throw some sand bags in your trunk.

 

for the money you pay for the tires you can find a 500 beater car which is your BEST solution.

 

Bag of sand in the trunk. You can get a 60 pound one at Home Depot. The beauty of that is, if you do get stuck, you just cut the bag open a little and throw some sand down under the tires.

 

Approx. 100 lbs. in the trunk should do the trick.
Blizzaks are not a requirement. Any decently designed snow tire will be just as effective, and probably much less expensive.
Another thing to consider are skinnier front tires. They will cut thru deep snow much better than the wider stock ones. Just make sure they have the same approx. diameter as the stock tires.

 

Lets try this again.

I live in chicago too and feel your pain. I have an 07 gt. Last year I ran the stock tires and there where days I just refused to go anything. This year I picked up some takeoff rims and am running Dunlop WinterSport M3. Last year I was all over the place with the stock tires in light snow and going over 35. With the M3s this year, I have not had any problem in snow/slush or compacted snow. I have a 50 mile commute everyday and have had no problems in the 3 storms we have had doing 50-60. My drive is split between highway travel and city/side streets. I also think they are good for the frequent patches of ice as long as you take it easy.

If you look around ebay or newtakeoffs.com you can find stock rims for 300-350. I paid 650 for the tires. Although it is an investment, it is better than having to pay a deductible or for repair work. I cant speak for the blizzaks, but the M3s are highly rated and are working very good for me in the same conditions you are probably driving in.