Topic: Why Costco rocks for tires

[random006]

This will be my second winter the Blizzak WS-80s on the Crosstrek.

I found them to be good but not as great as expected based on all the reviews I read.  I found two annoying flaws with them, at least one of which is supposed to be addressed in the newer WS-90s:

1)  The rear swings out too easily on snow, even at low speeds (less than 15 Kph).  This is supposed to have been improved with the WS-90s.

2)  When driving in a straight line in heavy snow, I find the car seems to shift laterally on occasion as if it is shifting into an existing track from another vehicle.  Instead, I expected it to push the snow to the side slightly and bite into it, making a new track. 

I understand that the weight - and weight distribution - of the car can affect performance.  However, it is rather disappointing to say the least that a tread which was built to handle snow as its main claim to fame did not really do that.

[ltruong]

I need to order rims for the Highlander. Should I just get steelies or get nice good deal rims

[Blueprint]

This will be my second winter the Blizzak WS-80s on the Crosstrek.

I found them to be good but not as great as expected based on all the reviews I read.  I found two annoying flaws with them, at least one of which is supposed to be addressed in the newer WS-90s:

1)  The rear swings out too easily on snow, even at low speeds (less than 15 Kph).  This is supposed to have been improved with the WS-90s.

2)  When driving in a straight line in heavy snow, I find the car seems to shift laterally on occasion as if it is shifting into an existing track from another vehicle.  Instead, I expected it to push the snow to the side slightly and bite into it, making a new track. 

I understand that the weight - and weight distribution - of the car can affect performance.  However, it is rather disappointing to say the least that a tread which was built to handle snow as its main claim to fame did not really do that.

I have WS-80's on both the Audi and the Odyssey, and had them on the Mk7 Golf prior - on all three vehicles, I can't swing the tail out with the e-brake! Must be the Subie sending additional torque to the rear wheels that's causing the tail to swing. Ditto on 2) as the Blizzaks don't shift at all.

[dirtyjeffer]

I have WS-80's on both the Audi and the Odyssey, and had them on the Mk7 Golf prior - on all three vehicles, I can't swing the tail out with the e-brake! Must be the Subie sending additional torque to the rear wheels that's causing the tail to swing. Ditto on 2) as the Blizzaks don't shift at all.

yea, i never had any issues with them either...the only time i could see #2 is if i was driving at a decent clip (say, 60 km/hr+) and the snow plow left a large drift in the road when it went around a corner, you could get some shifting of the path there, but i mean, the drift may be 18-20 inches of pretty dense snow, so it's going to impede your movement...as well, you're likely rising up a bit on the snow, which then gives a bit due to the weight of the car, so i don't think it's a fault of the tire, it simply physics.

[random006]

I have WS-80's on both the Audi and the Odyssey, and had them on the Mk7 Golf prior - on all three vehicles, I can't swing the tail out with the e-brake! Must be the Subie sending additional torque to the rear wheels that's causing the tail to swing. Ditto on 2) as the Blizzaks don't shift at all.

yea, i never had any issues with them either...the only time i could see #2 is if i was driving at a decent clip (say, 60 km/hr+) and the snow plow left a large drift in the road when it went around a corner, you could get some shifting of the path there, but i mean, the drift may be 18-20 inches of pretty dense snow, so it's going to impede your movement...as well, you're likely rising up a bit on the snow, which then gives a bit due to the weight of the car, so i don't think it's a fault of the tire, it simply physics.

#2 was in a straight line on a city street doing about 30 - 40 kph.  The snow was a mix of soft snow and fine, almost beadlike ice pellets.  I had accumulated to about 4 to 6 inches.  No way was I going to go 50 (the speed limit) on that day under those conditions.

[Blueprint]

I have WS-80's on both the Audi and the Odyssey, and had them on the Mk7 Golf prior - on all three vehicles, I can't swing the tail out with the e-brake! Must be the Subie sending additional torque to the rear wheels that's causing the tail to swing. Ditto on 2) as the Blizzaks don't shift at all.

yea, i never had any issues with them either...the only time i could see #2 is if i was driving at a decent clip (say, 60 km/hr+) and the snow plow left a large drift in the road when it went around a corner, you could get some shifting of the path there, but i mean, the drift may be 18-20 inches of pretty dense snow, so it's going to impede your movement...as well, you're likely rising up a bit on the snow, which then gives a bit due to the weight of the car, so i don't think it's a fault of the tire, it simply physics.

#2 was in a straight line on a city street doing about 30 - 40 kph.  The snow was a mix of soft snow and fine, almost beadlike ice pellets.  I had accumulated to about 4 to 6 inches.  No way was I going to go 50 (the speed limit) on that day under those conditions.

In Quebec we have flattened orange cones under the snow - affects directional stability.

[johngenx]

Some very icy roads here the last few days and the WS-90s have been exceptional. The Corolla has had zero issues with getting around.

[ltruong]

Sh!tte  I ordered steelies without looking from costco.  wrong size, recieved 17", my tires are 19".  turns out you can't get 19inin steel. and costco only has 1 selection of rims.  where else could i shop for descently priced rims

[rrocket]

Sh!tte  I ordered steelies without looking from costco.  wrong size, recieved 17", my tires are 19".  turns out you can't get 19inin steel. and costco only has 1 selection of rims.  where else could i shop for descently priced rims

What's wrong with 17" for winter?

[ltruong]

Sh!tte  I ordered steelies without looking from costco.  wrong size, recieved 17", my tires are 19".  turns out you can't get 19inin steel. and costco only has 1 selection of rims.  where else could i shop for descently priced rims

What's wrong with 17" for winter?

I already have the tires, they came with the highlander, previous owner probably just paid to switch them on the original 19in rims every 6 months

[EV Dan]

Sh!tte  I ordered steelies without looking from costco.  wrong size, recieved 17", my tires are 19".  turns out you can't get 19inin steel. and costco only has 1 selection of rims.  where else could i shop for descently priced rims

What's wrong with 17" for winter?

I already have the tires, they came with the highlander, previous owner probably just paid to switch them on the original 19in rims every 6 months

Is your wheel offset +30?  https://www.wheel-size.com/size/toyota/highlander/2014/

If so, how about these 
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/markham-york-region/brand-new-2020-genesis-g90-take-off-rims-and-tires/1471689346

Or on a more conservative side,
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/hamilton/genesis-coupe-19s/1470598885

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/city-of-toronto/19-inch-oem-genesis-coupe-rims-5x114-3x67-1/1469281224

These last Gen Coupe rims are staggered and it's best to try them on before buying just to be on a safe side. And you may like to get hub rings as Hyundai bore is a little bigger, although some ppl don't bother.

[rrocket]

Sh!tte  I ordered steelies without looking from costco.  wrong size, recieved 17", my tires are 19".  turns out you can't get 19inin steel. and costco only has 1 selection of rims.  where else could i shop for descently priced rims

What's wrong with 17" for winter?

I already have the tires, they came with the highlander, previous owner probably just paid to switch them on the original 19in rims every 6 months

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-pneus-jantes/ville-de-quebec/jantes-19-pouces-4/1469926381

[tortoise]

He's in Alberta though.

I'd just keep swapping into the OEM rims until the winters are worn out and then get 17's.  Assuming you'll only get 1-2 seasons out of them.

[ltruong]

He's in Alberta though.

I'd just keep swapping into the OEM rims until the winters are worn out and then get 17's.  Assuming you'll only get 1-2 seasons out of them.

The winters are pretty much new so probably 4 seasons .Pay 150$ every 6 months.... Mmmhhhh cheapest i can find on Kijiji are around 800 but are nice.

[tortoise]

Road trip to Quebec City?

Might be worth seeing if the guy would ship them for you..... Though I have no idea how much that would cost.

If you put steelies on the RX Vmango will personally fly out there and steal your valve stems.

[Gurgie]

Road trip to Quebec City?

Might be worth seeing if the guy would ship them for you..... Though I have no idea how much that would cost.

If you put alloys on the RX Vmango will personally fly out there and steal your valve stems.

  

[tortoise]

Yeah.  That's not right.  Fixed.

[ltruong]

Road trip to Quebec City?

Might be worth seeing if the guy would ship them for you..... Though I have no idea how much that would cost.

If you put steelies on the RX Vmango will personally fly out there and steal your valve stems.

Haha no. RX came with nice winter rims

[HeliDriver]

I'm happy enough with the new WS90s, but am a little pissed off that I'll have to go back to Costco to get them rebalanced. They're perfect up to 120 km/h, then they just go all to hell.

I thought I could live with it, but nope. Too much bare pavement and open highway here not to be able to exceed 120 km/h now and then.

[aquadorhj]

I'm happy enough with the new WS90s, but am a little pissed off that I'll have to go back to Costco to get them rebalanced. They're perfect up to 120 km/h, then they just go all to hell.

I thought I could live with it, but nope. Too much bare pavement and open highway here not to be able to exceed 120 km/h now and then.

dang, that sucks.

also, costco scratched the .<expletives> out of my rims...    and i was watching their work while i had my tires mounted on the rims, and they run their air impact wrench extensively on the lugs on cars, and one guy comes out later and do a token torque wrench tightening, which clicks off right away, cause the <expletives> air gun tightened the <expletives> out of the lugs already...