I bolted on my dedicated 195-55/R16 Blizzaks last weekend. These have roughly 6K miles on 'em since being mounted early last winter. Stored indoors during the summer.

I get the feeling my S is much less predictable than it used to be, almost scary when the road's a bit damp or slick. It feels like the back end wants to break loose with the slightest lane change. It didn't feel like this 50,000 miles ago.

Pressures are 33/31 f/r; I had 'em up aroud 36/34 when first installed but that seemed far worse so I dropped 'em a bit.

My S has over 121,000 miles on it so I'm wondering if I need to have the wheels aligned and/or a change of shocks?

Whlile my summer tires are mounted (205/50 Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position S-03's all around) it feels rock-solid until the temps get down below 40 or so, which is why I switched to the snows.

 

just let your snows break in again a little.

your psi sounds about right. id keep it around 32-33.

 

Blizzak's are great snow tires....but they feel like they are made of jello. Lots of squirm with them. I've been through 2 sets of them & both were that way. You will get used to the feel of them. I now use Hakka 2 winter tires. IMO better that the Blizzak's & no squirm. Well not much. I'd suggest running the same air pressures front & rear. It may help a bit.

 

Car and Driver tried the Blizzaks on their long term MCS, and reported "On snow and ice, the Blizzaks were awesome, but when the pavement dried out, the logbook quickly filled with criticism of the blocky-treaded tires that were literally hell on wheels. One editor said it rode "like a '70s Vette" and another thought the car was so darty that something had broken in the suspension."

I prefer the Hakkas too, but the studded 4 or 5 models now that the Hakka 1 is no longer available.

 

Well that's very enlightening, thanks.

It's in for an alignment today, just for grins. Several other forum posters (not here though) have suggested 120K is far beyond reliable shock lifespan so that might be next.

if the Blizzaks are as bad as they seem when everything's right, once things begin to get beyond spec the twitchies could be magnified.

I'll post my opinions as this situation evolves. No reason others can't benefit from my experiences.