Well folks it's getting to be that time of year...

There's snow in them there hills!

Getting ready for ski season, I've realized that I need winter tires to be able to drive in British Columbia (and a good idea in Calgary/Alberta/Banff too really).. So for roughly $1,000, I can have TireRack.com ship pre-mounted tires to my door up here in Canada. Actually cheaper than any local shop I've found.

Anyone have experience with TireRack.com? They say that everything they sell on a "shop by vehicle" basis is sure to fit, but just wanted to check.

The rims (plain ol' steel uglies) measure 16x6.5 (4) with a 5 - 114 bolt pattern. I *think* that's right for us... can anyone confirm?

Next up, anyone have opinions on 235/70R16 vs. 225/75R16? OR Blizzack DM-V1 winter tires?

Thanks alot everyone!

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2008 Jeep Liberty (KK) Ltd

I have had very good experience with Tire Rack. The tires always arrived the next day and I could specify whether I wanted them sent to me or a mounting shop. I haven't tried them since I moved to Alaska, but when I lived in Virginia I never had any problems with them.

My only gripe would be that they don't carry Cooper or Nokian.

As far as 235/70R16 vs. 225/75R16... The 225/75 will be slightly narrower and taller which will punch through deep snow better and find the hard ground/ice underneath. I'm not certain what will work better on the Liberty because I won't get mine for another week and a half, but I will probably put 225/75R16s on.

I've heard good things about the Blizzacks, especially for a non-studded tire. I will probably got with a studded Cooper Discover S/T though because 1. Studs are legal and encouraged here. 2. It has wider grooves and deeper voids to channel deep snow. 3. We use them where I work on the North Slope of Alaska all year round and they have very good deep snow traction.

I have also used the studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas on my mom's Forester. They have phenomenal ice traction but are much more expensive.

All that said, the Blizzacks have a much softer tread compound than the Coopers and would probably be much better non-studded, but I have no personal experience with them.

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2010 Liberty Renegade Stone White
4" JBA
245/75R16 Cooper S/T Maxx

I've never had snow tires on my Liberty, as i just bought it... but i've had lots of different snow tires on my cars in the past, here's what i've like about them...
I know it's not on a jeep, but still the tire is the same, and the characteristics should be similar... as for TireRack, i've used them once or twice, had good luck. friends have used them a lot, no complaints that i know of either. Keep an eye out for online specials and coupons, they come up very regularily for free shipping, or %% off, etc.

here's my quick tire review if you care to read it...

Firestone Winterforce (on honda civic & girls old buick) GREAT TIRE for the price. usually one of the cheaper tires available, and overall, a very good winter tire if you plan to simply drive normal on the roads. you won't have a problem with them at all. decent in deep snow, and decent on ice. just a good all around tire for the typical winter driver.

Blizzak LM22 - (eagle talon awd) GREAT TIRE!!!! great in deep snow, and slushy roads. good on ice as well. MUCH better than the Winterforce for "spirited" driving.

Michelin Ice Pilot (on girls Focus) great tire for around town, overall driving, etc. Was going to get her the Winterforce actually, but they were out of stock, so we tried these and were very happy!! they are perfect for her. I even took her Focus ice racing on the lake once (we do a 2mile road course) and i was not overally impressed in that situation, but still did better than i thought. again, good daily driver for typical winter driving, and seem to wear very good so far, put on a decent amount of miles last year with those on, and showing minimal wear. very happy so far for the car they are on!!

Blizzak WS60 - (my subaru STi) AMAZING TIRES!!! probably the best snow tire i've driven on. ever. period. Great in deep snow, slush, ice, you name it... awesome tire! however, they do wear a little faster. was awesome ice racing as well. pricey, and wear fast, but great if you plan on a lot of spirited driving.

General Altimax (friends Subi 2.5rs) - AWESOME TIRE!! little harder compound than the blizzak, seem to last longer. these were AMAZING when ice racing as well. Usually on the lower end of the price range, and VERY VERY good traction in my opinion. a very good option for daily use and some spirited driving in the slush or on ice as well.

Nokian Hakkapilatas (sp?) - great overall tire, comparable to the blizzak i'd say, but very pricey. Never personally owned one, but driven friends cars.

Firestone Destination A/T (cherokee 2dr sport) not quite a snow tire, but good in the slush and deep snow. no different than most a/t tires but with a good price if you ask me. no where near as good as a real winter tire on the ice, but overall a good bang for the buck for an all year tire in my opinion. Might put some on the Liberty before winter (or the WinterForce for winter is my other option... haven't decided yet)


anyways, if you made it through that... congrats.

good luck with your tire purchase!

So I think I'm about to pull the trigger on the DM-V1s - just wanted to know... 225 vs/ 235 - yes, narrow = cut through deep snow but will I lose any stability? feel a little squishier on the road?

Plenty of highway driving ahead, with at least one area with some wicked crosswinds...

Thoughts?

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2008 Jeep Liberty (KK) Ltd

+1 on Tirerack. I think the first set of tires I bought from them was in 1992. Over the last 18 years I've probably bought 4 or five sets (mostly performance car tires) and have always had excellent service from them.

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2008 KK 4x4
1996 XJ 4x4
1985 Nike 2x2

I imagine that the sidewalls of the tires would have more effect on the handling than that little bit of size difference. If you are driving on icy roads though, are your tires really going to have enough grip to noticeably buckle the sidewalls?

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2010 Liberty Renegade Stone White
4" JBA
245/75R16 Cooper S/T Maxx