Snow/Ice winter tires

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

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#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)
#688 of 708 Thanks and one more thing by shanghaikid Oct 01, 2009 (2:48 pm)
Thanks for the tips I'll keep the goodyear and Michelin Tires in mind I live in Kennewick Wa and I commute to Toppenish WA for work everyday Perfection Tire seems to have the best deals in town, they said around $450 for studded and $400 for studless Schwab quoted me at around $500 for either studless or studded Everyone else was $500 or more.... I also have TPMS sensors on my foucs tires, I'm not planning to have those on my snow tires, that just means that light will be on all the time... Replies to this message: xwesx (Oct 01, 2009 3:47 pm) hammerhead (Oct 02, 2009 9:35 am)
#689 of 708 Re: Thanks and one more thing [shanghaikid] by xwesx Oct 01, 2009 (3:47 pm)
Replying to: shanghaikid (Oct 01, 2009 2:48 pm) I also have TPMS sensors on my foucs tires, I'm not planning to have those on my snow tires, that just means that light will be on all the time... That's right, and no big deal as long as you keep an eye on your tire pressure (which is a good idea anyway!). They were quoting you around $400 for just tires, or for a complete package (includes rims?). The TPMS sensors are in the valve stems on the rims, so that is not an issue at all if you are just swapping out tires. If the package includes rims, well, that really is a screamin' deal! I would definitely recommend a studless tire for your area. As dry as the roads tend to be, your studs will be nubs in no time and do nothing to add to your traction when you really need it. Plus, you would have to deal with the major noise created by them on your long commute. Now that I think about it, you might consider Green Diamond tires; they are quite effective on ice and they are not adversely affected by dry roads. Studless snow tires, due to their soft tread compounds, tend to wear quickly on dry roads. Some, like Blizzaks, also feel "squishy" on dry pavement and/or in warm weather. I am not sure about the Green Diamond availability in your area.