Snow/Ice winter tires

708 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

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#282 of 708 Dunlops by hpulley4 Oct 31, 2003 (3:55 am)
I use Dunlop SP WinterSport M3 DSSTs on my MINI Cooper. May not have much in common with an SUV tire but I really liked the tire last winter, used them in a few winter rallies and lots of snow and they were great. Wear isn't super, I'll only get two seasons out of them, but they work great on ice, snow, mud, gravel, wet and even pretty decent on dry pavement. They handle great, something I don't like about many Q rated snow tires (e.g. Michelin Arctic Alpins) which feel like rubber bands even on our Saturn family wagon which isn't exactly a performance vehicle.
#283 of 708 Thanks again by londonfin Nov 02, 2003 (11:11 am)
I'll be checking out prices for the Nokians. Appreciate the help!
#284 of 708 by adp3 Nov 14, 2003 (10:58 am)
do any of you folks have info on whether chains are required if you try to go through chain control with an AWD vehicle with all-season tires? even if you can, is it a really stupid idea? as a corrolary to this question, how do snow/ice tires fare on dry pavement at highway speed? the reason for my question is I am considering an AWD vehicle (SRX, XC90, others) but I live 3 hours from the chain control point. How are my nifty tires gonna function when I drive through the sunny climes of the Bay Area nd the Central Valley before I hit the sleet and snow? And do I have to take my snowies off when I get back home and drive around the Bay Area during the week? Thanks for the advice.
#285 of 708 snow tires at speed by hpulley4 Nov 14, 2003 (11:31 am)
I can't answer your ski mountain question. I'm sure some gov't authority can tell you what vehicles and/or tires allow you to get by without chains. I wouldn't want to drive in mountain snow on all-season tires. People do it but traction starts with the tires and AWD can't do anything without traction to start with. As for snow tires at speed, there are many H-rated snow tires available now which handle very well and drive at high speeds no problem on the freeway. My Dunlop SP Wintersport M3 tires are H-rated and do very well on the highway (let's just say mine have been beyond a Q rating). Their dry grip isn't quite as good as performance summer tires but I'd say as good as all-seasons at least. In wet, mud, snow and ice they are much better than all-seasons. In really deep snow, a Q-rated tire will probably do a bit better as they won't have any high speed or handling compromises. You don't have to take the snow tires off when you get home, you can leave them on for the ski season. Many modern snow tire designs are quiet and comfortable enough to wear all the time; they aren't the knobby, noisy snow tires of yore. With their soft rubber compounds, they'll wear faster than a long treadlife all-season but around here we leave our snow tires on all the time even though it isn't snow covered all the time. I only expect to get two seasons out of a set of snow tires but that's all I get out of high performance summers too.
#286 of 708 by steve_ HOST Nov 14, 2003 (9:09 pm)
"Don't I just need snow tires on the drive wheels for traction? Tire Safety: Don't Ignore the Rubber on the Road Steve, Host Replies to this message: mavis (Sep 21, 2004 4:31 pm)
#287 of 708 Looking for Nokian tire advice by downeaster16 Nov 15, 2003 (6:26 am)
Hi! I have a 2003 Accord LX with OEM Michelin MXV4 Energy Plus tires, and I live in Maine. Although the car (and tires) are pretty new (just 6k miles on them), I'd be better off, I think, with winter tires. I looked into a local dealership that sells Nokians. They steered me away from the WR's, saying that the WR is a 4-season tire and I already have excellent all-season tries which are pretty new. They recommended either the Hakka Q (if I want studless), or the Hakka 2 (studded, and a bit more expensive). Does anyone have experience with either the "Q" or the "2"? Or should I go for the WR's after all? I'm not sure how good the Michelins would be in snow - the Tire Rack reviews are all over the place. We get plenty of snow, slush, ice and (sometimes) rain from now until early April. (The ground is still bare so far, at least here in Downeast Maine!) Thanks for your help!
#288 of 708 Nokians by JBaumgart Nov 15, 2003 (6:50 pm)
I agree with the advice you received from the tire shop. The WR's would be a great choice if you were just going to replace your Michelin's and run them year around. The Hak "2" is a more advanced design than the original "Q" and if they're within your budget would give you the best performance in poor winter driving conditions, although the Q would certainly be way better than your current all seasons also.
#289 of 708 Downeaster16 by sequoiasoon Nov 15, 2003 (9:57 pm)
I've had the Nokian Q's on my Corolla for the past 1 1/2 winters. They are excellent in snow, ice, and wet. Only downfall is faster wear in dry conditions. The extensive siping is why they grip so good (but also wear faster) Studded tires are best for continued hard packed snow or ice. They will cause the tire to have less traction on dry (and a real tiresome on trips, pitter patter as the metal hits the ground). The studs definitely have an edge in REALLY bad road conditions. Many family and friends have the WR's (and older NRW version) because they do not want to dedicate tires and rims for winter. I have the WR on the Corolla for the rest of the year, excellent wet and dry tire performed well in the snow when I tried them (but already had the Q's on rims). You can't go wrong with either choice but need to decide where and when most of your driving is. Mostly plowed / salted roads rush hour traffic with the occasional poor condition trip = Q. Poor plowing, constant snow, don't see asphalt for day's/ weeks, mostly polished ice intersections = hak 2
#290 of 708 ADP3 by sequoiasoon Nov 15, 2003 (10:20 pm)
Second hpulley's recommendation and check with police / DOT for the chain control area. Ask specific does AWD with severe winter service rated tires (mountain/snowflake symbol on tire) meet guidelines? If not, do studded snows with AWD qualify? I prefer the Nokians and all their winter tires are excellent (and severe service rated). All winter tires have +/-. Read through all the posts here for which best suits your normal driving conditions. Tirerack has a lot info on benefits of each also. You should probably check local police /DOT also, are studded tires allowed in Bay area? if yes what months?
#291 of 708 Nokian Questions by londonfin Nov 17, 2003 (5:25 pm)
Hi- I have Volvo XC90 and do drive in heavy snow (North East), ice and slush. Local shop suggested Nokian WR's - but they seem like more All-Seasons. Due to my wheel size 235/60/18 my other choice is Hakka SUV's. I do not want to stud them if I go with SUVs. Is that ok not to stud them? My feeling is that I have good (and new) all season on the car so to go for the Hakka SUVs and just not stud them. Is that wise? Thanks.