Author Topic: Blizzack DM-V1 or General Arctic Altimax (Read 1485 times)

ktm525 · « **on:** September 19, 2011, 01:12:06 pm »

Ok for the Ridgeline. Similar price (within $10). Which one? I really like the Arctics on the Dakota. The Bridgestone isunknown to me.

Thoughts?

tortoise · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2011, 01:17:37 pm »

Do Blizzak's still wear super fast?

AP · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2011, 01:28:40 pm »

Had the same debate last year and went with the DM-V1s.

I recall that the Altimax are an older technology.

Costco sold the DM-V1s with a $70 discount, on an already discounted price.

The reviews, I recall, were better for ice traction for the DM-V1s.

The wear on them last winter was not at all excessive.

SaskSpecV · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2011, 02:13:48 pm »

We went with the DM-V1s on the F150. Fantastic winter traction -especially on ice - for 2WD only (with about 200 pounds in the bed). In about 1.5 winter's worth of driving, the wear has been minimal (although only about 10K km put on them). But I'd like to try the Altimax tires some time , as a lot of people seem to think highly of them. I'm sure either tire will be a good choice.

tortoise · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2011, 03:39:07 pm »

For a guy who wasn`t gonna bother with winter tires at all I`m sure either will do just fine. And if all else is equal, spend less cash.

ktm525 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2011, 03:54:26 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on September 19, 2011, 03:39:07 pm

For a guy who wasn`t gonna bother with winter tires at all I`m sure either will do just fine. And if all else is equal, spend less cash.

Noise is an issue. Honda skimps on the noise insulation...

HeliDriver · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2011, 05:07:07 pm »

Can't go wrong with the Blizzaks: traction is superb, handling is fine, and they're nice and quiet.

I might be tempted to try the Generals if they were a couple hundred bucks cheaper, but to save a measly ten bucks? No way.

Gardiner Westbound · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2011, 05:29:37 pm »

Quote from: ktm525 on September 19, 2011, 01:12:06 pm

Ok for the Ridgeline. Similar price (within $10). Which one? I really like the Arctics on the Dakota. The Bridgestone isunknown to me.

Thoughts?

At $10 a tire the price differential is insufficient. They're both very good tires, but General Arctic's should sell for at least 30-percent less than Blizzaks. Canadian Tire usually sale prices them in October. If you can't wait, buy the Blizzaks.

rrocket · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2011, 05:43:28 pm »

We used to be big Blizzak customers, and had them on all our cars. We're now (very) firmly Michelin X-Ice customers because of the exceptional wear properties. We, like others, found the Blizzaks wore far too quickly. The X-ice also has as much or more traction than the Blizzaks. Win/win IMO.

allmango · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2011, 06:27:25 pm »

DMV1 on CRV for 1 winter-I guess it is an above average tire. I am only comparing it to my Sienna's Hakka RSi - for the final winter, and I think the RSi are my preferred choice.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2011, 07:25:32 pm »

davidy · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2011, 01:58:26 am »

This Friday, the General Altimax Arctic will go on sale at 25% off.

I have had a set of studded General Altimax Arctic on my Ranger FX4 for one season. Very good tire...excellent bang for the buck IMO. These are much better than the snowflake labeled BFG AT T/A KO on my Mazda 4x2.

Do these Blizzak's still lose their winter traction once half their tread is gone (the compound becomes like an all season tire)? This is not that significant since it would be time to replace the tires at around 6/32nds. New DMV1's have tire depths at either 13 or 14/32nds.

If the two tires are similarly priced, I would not mind either tire.

Dave

ktm525 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2011, 11:06:10 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 19, 2011, 07:25:32 pm

FWIW

That is some help but the list is getting long in tooth. That Blizzack was discontinued last year.

blur911 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2011, 11:42:54 am »

Quote from: ktm525 on September 21, 2011, 11:06:10 am

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on September 19, 2011, 07:25:32 pm
FWIW

That is some help but the list is getting long in tooth. That Blizzack was discontinued last year.

I was going to say that, the Dunlop DS-2 is long gone, we've had DS-3's on the Outback a couple years already.

Gardiner Westbound · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2011, 04:53:53 pm »

The new Canadian Tire online store has General Altimax Arctic tires sale priced at 25-percent off.

http://goo.gl/LYBe3

ktm525 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2011, 05:00:15 pm »

Quote from: Gardiner Westbound on September 23, 2011, 04:53:53 pm

The new Canadian Tire online store has General Altimax Arctic tires sale priced at 25-percent off.

http://goo.gl/LYBe3

In the Ridges winter size 245/65-17 they were $150 which is an excellent price. Next cheapest I have found was $168.

Moot point now though. I pulled the trigger on some Blizzack DM-V1's from Costco.

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #16 on:** October 19, 2011, 07:04:03 am »

Quote from: ktm525 on September 23, 2011, 05:00:15 pm

Quote from: Gardiner Westbound on September 23, 2011, 04:53:53 pm
The new Canadian Tire online store has General Altimax Arctic tires sale priced at 25-percent off.

http://goo.gl/LYBe3

In the Ridges winter size 245/65-17 they were $150 which is an excellent price. Next cheapest I have found was $168.

Moot point now though. I pulled the trigger on some Blizzack DM-V1's from Costco.

I just ordered some Blizzak DM-V1s from 1010tires on Replica S-Line rims for the Q5. Size 235/65-R17. Something missing from the discussion is that the DM-V1s are purpose made for SUVs and other light trucks whereas the Generals aren't. My particular size has a higher load rating (108 vs. 104) than the same size Blizzak WS-70 and are also classified "XL" for extra load. I had decided to pull the trigger on the WS-70s since my first choice, Continental ExtremeWinterContacts were backordered into December. Nathan at 1010tires pointed out the difference in load rating and recommended the DM-V1s as a result.

I expect that they will be a good tire and as long as they last 4 seasons I'm perfectly happy. Winter tires are basically useless past 5/32 anyway and they start off with 13/32 tread depth in my size. By the way, Bridgestone says in their brochure that after 55% wear the tread compound reverts to a *winter* compound and not all-season. This equates to 6/32.

My biggest concern right now is that I haven't found a lot of online testing for these tires.

Funny, I will have Japanese tires for the German car and German tires for the Japanese car this year.

davidy · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2011, 04:42:00 pm »

2011 CR tests on SUV/truck winter tires:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/consumer-reports-rates-truck-suv-winter-tires-1088780/

Dave

Angry Chicken · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2011, 05:11:47 pm »

Quote from: davidy on October 21, 2011, 04:42:00 pm

2011 CR tests on SUV/truck winter tires:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/consumer-reports-rates-truck-suv-winter-tires-1088780/

Dave

Thanks. I've pulled the trigger on the DM-V1s. ktm525 and I will have a full report in about 3 months. ;0

ktm525 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2011, 05:21:56 pm »

Quote from: Angry Chicken on October 21, 2011, 05:11:47 pm

Quote from: davidy on October 21, 2011, 04:42:00 pm
2011 CR tests on SUV/truck winter tires:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/consumer-reports-rates-truck-suv-winter-tires-1088780/

Dave
Thanks. I've pulled the trigger on the DM-V1s. ktm525 and I will have a full report in about 3 months. ;0

So far all I have to report is that they have a strong rubber smell that is quite pleasant sitting in my warm garage. The previous Hankooks had a very rancid off-putting smell. Must be the Japanese vs Korean rubber.