- #11 of 160
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Re: How many miles? [coldcranker]
by saabturboid
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Nov 06, 2006 (11:21 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Nov 04, 2006 6:23 pm)
Coldcranker,
The stock Continentals are indeed very inexpensive at TireRack, but these tires are cheap for a reason. They may be fine in areas with little or no winter weather, but they leave a lot to be desired in the snow belt. I really want to get higher quality tires on our Freestyle.
I'm leaning towards Nokian WRs or Goodyear Assurance TripleTreads. Both are all season tires but oriented more towards snow/ice traction than most. I live in Minnesota where it snows 6 months of the year, so this is an important factor for me. I also like the fact that both tires are H speed rated rather than the T rating of the stock Continentals. This means they are of a more robust design in order to pass the more rigorous government speed test. Even if you don't drive 130mph (can the Freestyle even go that fast?) a higher speed rated tire will offer you a greater margin of safety even in normal driving conditions.
Chad
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- #12 of 160
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Re: How many miles? [saabturboid]
by tidester HOST
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Nov 06, 2006 (2:28 pm)
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Replying to: saabturboid (Nov 06, 2006 11:21 am)
can the Freestyle even go that fast?
I don't think any vehicle should be going that fast on the highway.
tidester, host
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- #13 of 160
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Re: How many miles? [saabturboid]
by coldcranker
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Nov 06, 2006 (5:17 pm)
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Replying to: saabturboid (Nov 06, 2006 11:21 am)
We have no test data to prove the Continentals are bad. I went through a winter in Denver on them and did fine (anecdotal evidence). They are rated AA for traction/temperature. Many tires have a B in there somewhere, and I'd generally avoid those. Still, we can assume that the Michelin Latitude X-Ice tires available are very good on ice/snow, and the larger Goodyear Fortera TripleTred in the 225/65-17 size has the snowflake-on-the-mountain rating which is quite rare and does mean they are superior in snow compared to most other all-season tires. Most people just guess when buying tires, so I'd stick to the ratings/tests. Some will say those tests don't mean a thing, and I've found those people don't have any reasonable foundation for their opinion.
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- #14 of 160
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Best tires for Florida?
by kpevav
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Nov 07, 2006 (2:15 am)
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Which tires for the Freestyle would be best for Florida -- lots of rain in the summer, high temperatures, relatively dry winters, and no snow or ice?
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- #15 of 160
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Get the stock tires siped
by jessealan
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Nov 07, 2006 (10:07 am)
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Replying to: kpevav (Nov 07, 2006 2:15 am)
I had my continentals siped and it did awesome in snow and ice. I also had a highlander awd and the freestyle was much better in those conditions. Now when these conti's where out I will opt for a something else probably because of how great I hear some of the other tires do.
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- #16 of 160
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Re: Get the stock tires siped [jessealan]
by bobw3
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Nov 07, 2006 (12:05 pm)
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Replying to: jessealan (Nov 07, 2006 10:07 am)
what does it mean to get the tires "siped"
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- #17 of 160
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Re: Get the stock tires siped [bobw3]
by jessealan
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Nov 07, 2006 (12:39 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Nov 07, 2006 12:05 pm)
Tire shops have machines that do it. Do a google search on it, I do not want to describe it wrong.
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- #18 of 160
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Re: Get the stock tires siped [bobw3]
by saabturboid
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Nov 07, 2006 (3:00 pm)
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Replying to: bobw3 (Nov 07, 2006 12:05 pm)
Siping is the process of cutting slits into the solid rubber blocks all around the tire. Special machines that some tire shops have do this. What this does is add many additional biting edges to the tires that give them additional grip in icy/snowy conditions. Siping definitely does increase traction in slippery conditions but may cause the tires to wear faster. The siping machine companies claim this isn't true, but if it wasn't why don't the tires come siped from the factory?
If you live in a place that doesn't get winter weather then siping will do nothing for you.
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- #19 of 160
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Re: Get the stock tires siped [saabturboid]
by steve_ HOST
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Nov 07, 2006 (4:01 pm)
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Replying to: saabturboid (Nov 07, 2006 3:00 pm)
Apparently some of them do come siped from the factory, from skimming some reviews and surveys at Tire Rack (one example).
I opted out on siping the all-season's on my minivan, but it doesn't see much snow any more.
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- #20 of 160
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Re: Get the stock tires siped [steve_]
by coldcranker
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Nov 07, 2006 (7:07 pm)
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Replying to: steve_ (Nov 07, 2006 4:01 pm)
Siping is most beneficial on ice, and only a little on snow. The extra edges break up the ice/tire boundary conditions a little. It also can help prevent hydroplaning as the edges protrude as the tire deforms near the ground. Siping raises the running temperature some, bad during the summer, although its not excessive.
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