Snow/Ice winter tires

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

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#678 of 708 Blizzaks gone after half tread... by shipo Jan 13, 2009 (12:34 pm)
Yup, I've run into the same thing, Blizzaks are pretty much worthless after half tread, however, the Michelins that I've run are good for maybe three-quarters of tread depth before they start getting sketchy. I've never tried Dunlops so I cannot comment on them. Best regards, Shipo
#679 of 708 Recommendations for a Rav4? by greatpaints Jun 23, 2009 (3:55 pm)
Hello, I just purchased a Rav4 4wd with 60k miles on it. The tires on it right now are Uniroyal Tigerpaws and are OEM. They actually have a significant amount of tread left. Even so, I would like to get a set of new winter tires for the cold season. I live a little ways north of Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA and I was stuck for 3 weeks last year in my own driveway because of snow and ice (not with this vehicle). I do not drive a lot of miles (less than 5k per year). I am at a higher elevation (~1200 feet) and I get widely varied conditions. Some dry roads, some rainy wet roads . Okay, many, many months of rainy wet roads, snow/ice for a couple weeks per year and occasionally there will be heavy frost in the shady parts of the road. The frost was the thing that had me losing traction last year the most. Probably because I ventured out thinking the roads were clear and I stayed home like a sissy when I knew the roads were slimy/slushy. I drive about 1/3rd on the interstate, 1/3 town driving and 1/3 winding country roads. Rav4 currently wears 215-70R 16 tires. I am looking for advice and suggestions for a new set of winter tires for my new sure-footed ride. Yes, I know it is summer. Now is the time to do research! Thank you! Replies to this message: hammerhead (Jun 24, 2009 6:15 am) dona83 (Sep 24, 2009 1:49 pm) hammerhead (Sep 24, 2009 6:25 pm) and 3 more...
#680 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a Rav4? [greatpaints] by hammerhead Jun 24, 2009 (6:15 am)
Replying to: greatpaints (Jun 23, 2009 3:55 pm) Toyo Observe. Studless snow tire, softer tread, lots of siping in the tread blocks, will work well over there on the wet side of the Cascades. They work very well on my Subaru here in Eastern Washington (LOTS of snow). Available at the store under the big yellow sign, where the guys in the white shirts come running. I'm guessing you know who that is I had Tigerpaws on a former rig of mine... nice riding tire. I liked them in the warmer weather, but no good for snow. Cheers! Paul (Spokane) Replies to this message: dona83 (Sep 24, 2009 1:49 pm) hammerhead (Sep 24, 2009 6:25 pm) dona83 (Sep 25, 2009 10:42 am) and 2 more...
#681 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a Rav4? [hammerhead] by dona83 Sep 24, 2009 (1:49 pm)
Replying to: hammerhead (Jun 24, 2009 6:15 am) I'm getting the Toyo Observe G-02 Plus this winter. Do the microbits help much at all on ice? Replies to this message: hammerhead (Sep 24, 2009 6:25 pm) dona83 (Sep 25, 2009 10:42 am) hammerhead (Sep 29, 2009 10:21 am) and 1 more...
#682 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a Rav4? [dona83] by hammerhead Sep 24, 2009 (6:25 pm)
Replying to: dona83 (Sep 24, 2009 1:49 pm) I sure like them. I don't know if its the microbits or the mega-siping (or both) but they perform on ice as well or better than any studded tire/vehicle combination I've driven so far. I've lived in Eastern Washington all my life, and drive up them thar hills to ski a couple dozen times a year (pretty much regardless of the road conditions), and was a died-in-the-wool studded tire fan until I tried the Observes on a Subaru. The combination of all-wheel drive and these tires work very well. I can't speak for the other flavors of studless snow tires, since I'm a pretty loyal customer of the white shirt guys, and that's all they sell here, but at this point I would have no reason to try anything else. Cheers! Paul Replies to this message: dona83 (Sep 25, 2009 10:42 am) hammerhead (Sep 29, 2009 10:21 am) dona83 (Oct 22, 2009 10:34 am)
#683 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a Rav4? [hammerhead] by dona83 Sep 25, 2009 (10:42 am)
Replying to: hammerhead (Sep 24, 2009 6:25 pm) Thanks for the tip, I live in Vancouver, BC so our winters are relatively mild but it has gotten quite extreme the past three winters and we do trek out east at least once a winter. I had Yokohama iG20s last year but had to sell them as they didn't fit my new car. They worked wonders on ice and snow but they didn't seem like they would last more than three winters. I would expect the Toyo Observe to last four seasons since they have greater initial tread depth for about the same price. I'm looking forward to trying these tires out! Replies to this message: hammerhead (Sep 29, 2009 10:21 am) dona83 (Oct 22, 2009 10:34 am)
#684 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a Rav4? [dona83] by hammerhead Sep 29, 2009 (10:21 am)
Replying to: dona83 (Sep 25, 2009 10:42 am) My last set of Observes lasted about 7 or 8 seasons, and still had more than adequate tread left. The one caveat that I would provide (especially in your milder climate), is get them off the car above 50 degrees F (10C) - the tread will wear much faster in the heat. I swapped them out every spring before it got too warm. With all the siping on the tire, they're pretty good in the rain. Good news for Vancouver dwellers Cheers! Paul Replies to this message: dona83 (Oct 22, 2009 10:34 am)
#685 of 708 Recommendations for a 2008 Ford Focus that won't break the bank by shanghaikid Sep 30, 2009 (9:37 pm)
I have to make 120 mile daily commute in Eastern WA. 90% will be freeway driving Got any recommendations for studless snow tires? I've talked to quite a few companies in the area. I've used the white shirted guys in the past, they are a little pricey. Anyone used Perfection Tire before? Replies to this message: hammerhead (Oct 01, 2009 8:22 am) xwesx (Oct 01, 2009 8:39 am) altair4 (Oct 02, 2009 6:10 am)
#686 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a 2008 Ford Focus that won't break the bank [shanghaikid] by hammerhead Oct 01, 2009 (8:22 am)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Sep 30, 2009 9:37 pm) Perfection is OK, I know the guy that owns the franchise in downtown Spokane. Stay away from the other local place that begins with 'A'. Schwabs is great for me because they always seem to be where I'm going if I need them. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but their service after the sale is terrific, and they stand behind their products. I had both inside duals on my motorhome blow up in one day many years ago... they covered the service calls, upgraded the tires, and covered the repairs to the RV. Where in Eastern WA, shanghai? Cheers! Paul
#687 of 708 Re: Recommendations for a 2008 Ford Focus that won't break the bank [shanghaikid] by xwesx Oct 01, 2009 (8:39 am)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Sep 30, 2009 9:37 pm) Well, considering that commute, I would certainly rule out Blizzak tires. They wear very fast - especially on dry roads (which you are likely to encounter more often than icy ones, I expect, in Eastern Washington!). I hear that Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tires have excellent longevity, but i do not know from personal experience. I am actually putting my first set of studless snow tires on in a couple weeks. But, you know, I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, so I do not see much in the way of icy/snowy roads. I am installing Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice; I have no idea what to expect, but the price was reasonable ($107 for R16s), reviews seem positive, and I have had very good luck with other Goodyear tires. While they are spendy, I had a set of Assurance TripleTreds on my '96 Outback a few years ago and used them year-round. Those tires were flat-out amazing on ice and excellent in snow. By far the best all-season I had ever experienced. They also wore very well (had an 80,000 mile treadwear warranty) and were superb on dry and wet roads. For a dry, mild climate like yours, a tire like that may be a better investment than a studless snow tire since they wear so quickly on dry roads. Replies to this message: altair4 (Oct 02, 2009 6:10 am)