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Snow/Ice winter tires

784 messages,  Last post on Dec 17, 2011 at 12:41 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Tires, Wheels

For the general tire discussion topic, have a look at the Tires, tires, tires topic.

Messages Page 1 of 79

#1 of 784 Which tire? by pcleveland2

Nov 15, 2000 (4:52 am)

Winters here again, so this topic should be active
again!


Now that Winter is almost upon us and I have to
buy new snows for my new Ford Focus, I have to
decide which brand. Have ran both the Bizzaks and
the Artic Alpin and like them both. But the Nokian
Hakkapeliitta Q ($89) has really caught my eye
while doing research. Called around to get prices
and a dealer tried pushing me toward Hacook Zovac
W400 ($64). Really liked what I read about the
Nokian's. Not any test info about the Hacook's out
there at all, just what the dealer told me. What
does anyone had actual experence with these tires?
Don't want any info about studded tires!


Thanks, Pat

#2 of 784 Ordered the Nokian! by pcleveland2

Nov 19, 2000 (6:44 pm)

Should be mounting the Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q's on my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3, all the way around, this Tuesday. Will keep you guys posted on how well they do in the Upstate New York Lake effect snows.
Pat

#3 of 784 what were the life spans of ... by heng

Nov 19, 2000 (10:23 pm)

the Blizzaks and the Arctics?

#4 of 784 life span by pcleveland2

Nov 20, 2000 (12:09 am)

I got three winters out of the Blizzaks. 60 miles a day plus xtra trips. Average about 25,000+ miles a year. Sold the car with the Artics so I didn't have them the full winter. Figure the Artic Alpins should have gotten about the same.
Reports I have read on both seem to indicate a 15,000 to 25,000 mile life, depending on the winter conditions. This is one of the reasons I decided on the Nokian Winter Tire. Long life and excellent traction.
Pat

#5 of 784 Got Nokian's just in time. by pcleveland2

Nov 21, 2000 (10:49 pm)

Got dumped on overnight! No work today, but picked up my Nokian's. Trip to Dealer (in boondocks) was very slow. Trip back home was very fast. Even took shortcut over the hill. Wunderbar!!!!!!!!


Pat

#6 of 784 Sentra SE by pcleveland2

Nov 21, 2000 (10:59 pm)

16" on a Sentra - Wow! Have you tryed to come down to a skinnier tire with the same height? The 195/55 is very wide. There are some conversion charts on some of the sites. I left my alloys on, but didn't really want to. With people upgradeing, I can pick up another set. I would not worry about what the wheels look like in the winter. Tire rack shows the hubcaps on their site, plus you get a choice.


CR rated the Dunlop snows fairly good, but not as good as the Artic Alpin. Had them on my Sentra (13") and they handled real well in the snow and on pack snow and ice. Only had them thru part of last winter.


Pat

#7 of 784 Nokian First Report! by pcleveland2

Nov 23, 2000 (2:41 am)

Wow!! No problems. They go like they are glued to the snow covered highway. No hype about them, they are everything the company says they are. Now we will have to see how well they wear.


Pat

#8 of 784 Stud your own tires? by blumsden

Dec 01, 2000 (5:25 pm)

Is it possible to install your own studs in tires that are "studdable"? Is there a special tool you can buy or rent? Do the tires have to be re-balanced afterwards?




Thanks.

#9 of 784 Studs by pcleveland2

Dec 02, 2000 (12:54 am)

Watched dealer do it. Seems to be a small rotating stud canister/air compressor, mounted high on wall with plastic tube coming down to his stud gun. Special set up, but does not look expensive. But being special one never knows. Can't answer your other question, but I think I would. Check around the web and you should find answer somewhere. Plus, I don't think all studs are created equal in terms of quality.

#10 of 784 blumsden by div2

Dec 02, 2000 (5:13 pm)

I seem to remember J.C. Whitney selling a tire studding kit with some kind of manual installation tool. Looked like more trouble than it was worth , IMHO.

Messages Page 1 of 79

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