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Hello, everyone. I am the aforementioned “Dealer”, who installed the Blizzaks on Infopro's vehicle. I take every comeback very seriously, this particular one definitely has my attention, enough to create an account on this forum (a fantastic resource, by the way, kudos!). I have dedicated a great portion of the past 2 days to researching the issue at hand, including this site, all my tire distributor contacts and numerous third-party sources of information. Correct me if I'm wrong regarding any of the following, but here's what we came up with so far:
The problem: 2010 Camaro w/RS package exhibits odd driving dynamics after installing 2 snow tires on the rear axle, even at 15-20 mph in dry road conditions, with occasional rain, temperatures in the 50s/60s. Tires installed are Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 275/40R20, stock size. As Infopro noted, this was never intended to be a “done-deal”, merely a very temporary money-saving solution with the intent to purchase the front ones within a couple weeks. Customer has been around multiple vehicles in their lifetime and they most certainly understand the inevitable ensuing difference in handling and grip. However, the issue being so prominent at such low speeds and dry roads points us both in the direction that “something's not quite right”.
We decided to go with the Blizzak tires all around. While ordering the rear set, DM-V1 was the only Blizzak tire available in that size, without any usual explicit “application” red flags, preventing us from putting an incompatible tire on a vehicle. After the customer's complaint I started digging deep. Research revealed that DM-V1 seems to be often (but not always) listed as a “sport-suv” tire, which makes me believe that its sidewall may be more flexible than, say, Bridgestone's own LM- series tire, or a stock P-zero. Combined with diminished dry traction, we very well may end up with a rear-wheel drive vehicle, whose front end grips and stays put on dry roads far better than the rear end. Much to our dismay, information such as sidewall stiffness is not readily available at the tire-ordering process.
Problem #2: According to Bridgestone, there is no matching set of identical Blizzak tires for an RS application. 275/40R20 comes only in DM-V1. 245/45R20 comes only in LM-60. Huge difference in construction and sidewall flex, not something I would ever consider mixing.
Solution: As much as I respect Rudy@tirerack's thought to run 245's all around, as a dealer, I just... can't. Strictly for liability reasons we can not deviate from the vehicle's tire placard. I'm sure it would work just fine, better even, due to thinner rear tires having an easier time cutting through the snow. But I must stick to the numbers in the door jamb. Which leaves me with what seems to be the only option out there – Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow, available in both sizes needed, with excellent reviews.
Infopro, please give me a call so that we can discuss it in person. Everyone else, your input is very much appreciated.
Thank you,
DG
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