Hi Everyone! I bought my 2010 GT in the spring back when the weather was turning nice. Today I woke up to several inches of snow on the ground (I live in DC). I made it into work on my "all weather tires", which are a complete joke (if only I had read a few posts on this forum BEFORE the snow hit). It was terrifying, and I think I'm going to have to keep little zoomer in the garage at the office for several days now until this clears. Here is my question to the forum. I need winter tires (obviously). Any advice on which ones to get? Where should I go to buy? It seems like a lot of websites recommend just one type of winter tire for the RX-8, without any explanation of why that is the one to get. What am I looking for? I don't want to get ripped off on this one.. what do i need to know? Thanks for all your help!

 

Most that only recommend one type are probably trying to restrict you based on tire size. You can change the size considerably, especially if you get a set of used OEM 17" wheels from another Mazda forum (3, 6, CX-7, CX-5, etc... all had 17s with our bolt pattern)


From my personal experience:

Nokian:
Best for: deep snow, soft snow, and snow pack.
Marginal on: ice
Acceptable on: slush, cold dry pavement, wet pavement (snow melt runoff)

Michilen IceX:
Best for: ice
Marginal on: deep snow, soft snow, and slush
Acceptable on: snow pack, cold dry pavement, wet pavement

Bridgestone Blizzak:
Good on: deep snow, soft snow, and snow pack
Acceptable on: ice
Marginal on: cold dry pavement
Terrible on: wet pavement

I haven't tried any others yet. Blizzaks are often highly raved about on here, but from my experience, Nokians are simply better. The biggest problem i've had with my current Blizzaks is simply wet pavement. I'll be going back to Nokians.

 

I'm also in the DC area - Vienna. Had some really scary rides home from work in the snow on all-seasons. I came within a whisker of getting caught in the mess at Tyson's Corner a few years ago...got off Route 7 just minutes before it all jammed.

Wise move leaving your 8 parked until the snow is gone.

Visit tirerack.com and look up winter packages for the RX-8. They recommend 17 inch wheels for snow, because not only is everything cheaper but the narrower tread width is better for snow. Buying a package from them with everything mounted can be more convenient than hunting for used wheels then shopping for tires. You can also entertain yourself by reading all of their tests and reviews, but take RIWWP's recommendations seriously. He knows what he's doing.

Ken

 

I have only tried one set of winter tires so far, I have the Blizzak's on 18" wheels. I really like them in the snow, I feel comfortable driving at posted speed limits in deep snow so long as I have enough ground clearance and my front bumper is not functioning as a snow plow/shovel.

I have a 2011 R3 (19" summer tires), so I opted for a smaller wheel for the winter tires. I priced mine on tirerack and had the local mazda dealer mount/install them. I found that most shops will price match tirerack.

I will second RIWWP, the Blizzak's are good on snow but they are pretty terrible on wet pavement. Even on cold dry pavement they are just acceptable to me.

 

Blizzak WS70s here on 17". Never have had an issue up here in CT in the past 4 years, and its surely been put to the test

 

Winter tires basically make snow driving acceptable/doable. Experience and foresight will be key to driving in the winter.

I owned Blizzaks (WS50?), Pirellis (not sure which, probably the generic winter kind), and General Altimax Arctic. The Generals are my favorite so far, least favorite being the pirellis. I would go for something with deep snow traction as that would be the worst to compromise on.

For the Generals:
Cold Dry Traction = 3.5/5
Cold Wet Traction = 2.5/5
Deep Snow = 4/5
Ice = 3.5/5
Slush or Salted roads = 4/5

 

I have used Sailun Ice Blazers for 2 Winters. They came with the car so I Kept them.

Cold Dry Traction = 4/5
Cold Wet Traction = 4/5
Deep Snow = 2.5/5
Shallow snow = 3.5/5
Ice = 3.5/5
Slush or Salted roads = 4/5

They wear pretty quick though. Lasted only 2 seasons.

 

I've got Hankook all season tires and they work great in winter weather conditions. In New York we do see a bit of snow...

 

Nokian, Michelin or bridge stone. 225 40 18. I live in Canada Alberta in a shitty town. From what I've heard is that the xice3 suck in deep snow... Although I don't have proof to back this up,. So I'm just here to listen and take advice. Any suggestions? Also studded Nokians do sound superb.

 

I live in Ontario Canada and I'm just finishing off a set of Yokohama W-drive 225/50R17s after 3 winters. With 6/32 front and 4/32 rear tread depth, I'll be replacing these for next winter. They were not too bad when new in snow/ice but quickly deteriorated as they wore. However, they were and are still pretty good on cold wet and dry roads:

Yokohama W-Drive 225/50 17
Cold Dry Traction = 4/5
Cold Wet Traction = 4/5
Deep Snow = 2/5
Shallow snow = 3/5
Ice = 3/5
Slush or Salted roads = 3.5/5

Mazda recommends 215/55R17s for RX-8 winter tires and I think I'll try that for more traction (more weight per square inch) to help snow traction, sacraficing some bare road handling - but not too much. May try Nokians next