Snow/Ice winter tires

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

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Tires, Wheels

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

Outline

Messages Page 59 of 71: 1; ...; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; ...; 71; Prev; Next; Last

#581 of 708 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 winter tire suggestions? [kyfdx] by mz6greyghost Dec 12, 2007 (10:04 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Dec 12, 2007 9:29 am) ...You have to give up a little winter capability to get better dry road performance. I think the performance winter tires are worth it, considering you are probably on dry roads, 90% of the time.. I agree 100%. For a MS3, I'd consider the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (or the newer version, the 3D, depending on what fits your car). The "performance winter" tires will work well for you, since they don't turn sloppy in dry weather just for a slight edge in winter driving. Plus, I've found them to last longer than typical winter tires do as well. For example: My Mazda 6 has a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 "performance winter" tires, and since I live in upstate NY, I know all about lake-effect snow and the terrible winter driving it causes. This is my 4th season with the PA2s, and they're still running well. I've never gotten stuck or skidded off the road, and traction, both in 3" of snow and dry pavement, is outstanding. I've gotten close to 15K miles on them, and they show NO wear, and still attack the snow as if they were new. I'm looking at the 3Ds for next year, and I think you should check them out as well. Replies to this message: tiff_c (Dec 12, 2007 10:22 am) kyfdx (Dec 12, 2007 10:40 am) tiff_c (Dec 13, 2007 1:48 am)
#582 of 708 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 winter tire suggestions? [kyfdx] by tiff_c Dec 12, 2007 (10:15 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Dec 12, 2007 9:29 am) Yeah... the ones I listed are all winter tires... Our 325i was like a tank on the Goodyears.. But, like every tire, there are trade-offs.. You have to give up a little winter capability to get better dry road performance. Thanks, yes it's hard to give up one when you really need it and yet burning through a set of winter tires in one year is no fun either. I do appreciate your suggestions, please don't think that I don't. It's just I live in 4x4 and Subaru country and when you need it you really need it to get home but driving on Jello on the dry roads is frustrating also. On my road we have like a roller coaster hill step up and down both ways, more accidents there than I could ever count because it's blind going over the top and often cars at the bottom of this small hill can't make it up the other side BAM! Or they try for a bit of speed to make it up the other side and off into the woods they go. Thankfully it's not a very busy road the problem with not being busy is it's not maintained as well. No issues before as I have a Subaru now but probably buying a Mazdaspeed3 will come with winter drama I'd like to avoid. I will check out all the tires you mention on Tire Rack and see. Thanks again
#583 of 708 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 winter tire suggestions? [mz6greyghost] by tiff_c Dec 12, 2007 (10:22 am)
Replying to: mz6greyghost (Dec 12, 2007 10:04 am) I agree 100%. For a MS3, I'd consider the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (or the newer version, the 3D, depending on what fits your car). The "performance winter" tires will work well for you, since they don't turn sloppy in dry weather just for a slight edge in winter driving. Plus, I've found them to last longer than typical winter tires do as well. Just how much winter performance do you really give up? I've always used Nokian tires and by that I mean the Hakka Q's which is now the RSi but one season is all you can get out of a set and that adds up when you drive as much as I do. I went through 2 sets in one year due to all my driving! These Dunlops sound like they might be ok and having dry performance would really be a blessing as long as I can make it up the hills in the snow and Ice we often get in my area. Locally we get hit worse than the news says. I'm grateful for the suggestions, i haven't bought the car yet but am considering it as my #1 choice at this time. 80% chance of buying it within a month. thanks for your suggestions. Replies to this message: kyfdx (Dec 12, 2007 10:40 am) tiff_c (Dec 13, 2007 1:48 am)
#584 of 708 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 winter tire suggestions? [tiff_c] by kyfdx HOST Dec 12, 2007 (10:40 am)
Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 12, 2007 10:22 am) I can get 3-4 seasons of top performance... That is 4-5 months X 1250 mi./mo... So, around 20K.. If I notice they start to give up a little snow performance, I leave them on until they wear out the next spring/summer... Replies to this message: tiff_c (Dec 13, 2007 1:48 am)
#585 of 708 - by dudleyr Dec 12, 2007 (8:27 pm)
The x-ice actually handles pretty well in the dry for a snow tire. Best of the 4 or 5 different ones I have tried. I also think the max pressure of 51 is a good sign - compared to 44 on many. If you want max snow traction consider minus sizing the tires/wheels. I did on my Accord. Do you really want ultra low profile when crashing over ice rutted roads? Replies to this message: tiff_c (Dec 13, 2007 1:51 am) shipo (Dec 13, 2007 4:04 am)
#586 of 708 Re: Mazdaspeed 3 winter tire suggestions? [kyfdx] by tiff_c Dec 13, 2007 (1:48 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Dec 12, 2007 10:40 am) I can get 3-4 seasons of top performance... That is 4-5 months X 1250 mi./mo... So, around 20K.. Thanks, I get about 15K out of a set when I use the Nokian snow tires but for my driving that is only 1 winters worth.
#587 of 708 Re: - [dudleyr] by tiff_c Dec 13, 2007 (1:51 am)
Replying to: dudleyr (Dec 12, 2007 8:27 pm) If you want max snow traction consider minus sizing the tires/wheels. I did on my Accord. Do you really want ultra low profile when crashing over ice rutted roads? Oh I usually go tall and narrow for winter tires I would put 15's on instead on 18's if they'd fit over the brakes. No way are you going to be going all that fast except on a cleared highway anyway. Low profile is great for the summer but not a chance in the winter. Replies to this message: shipo (Dec 13, 2007 4:04 am)
#588 of 708 Re: - [tiff_c] by shipo Dec 13, 2007 (4:04 am)
Replying to: tiff_c (Dec 13, 2007 1:51 am) Y'all are saying the same thing. Minus sizing is the same as going taller and narrower (staying within a tenth or two of the same overall tire diameter of course). Best Regards, Shipo
#589 of 708 Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice by maryh4 Feb 24, 2008 (12:25 am)
I just moved to Sheboygan, WI, drive a Rav4 and have been having a lot of trouble with traction. I have slid off the road 3 times so far. I still have the all seasons on. I need a great tire for snow and ice as I drive 40 miles each way to work. Recommendations please. Replies to this message: robr2 (Feb 24, 2008 2:41 am) tiff_c (Feb 24, 2008 8:37 am) kyfdx (Feb 24, 2008 8:43 am) tiff_c (Feb 24, 2008 9:02 am) and 2 more... ntxgal (Aug 18, 2008 9:19 am) and 4 more...
#590 of 708 Re: Need Great Tire for Snow and Ice [maryh4] by robr2 Feb 24, 2008 (2:41 am)
Replying to: maryh4 (Feb 24, 2008 12:25 am) Your best bet is tirerack.com. They have consumer reviews of all their tires. The problem is that you probably won't be able to buy snow tires at this time of year. Like fashion, the greatest availablity is the season before you need them.