2009 Winter Tire THREAD !!!

[7thgenvic]

Well Everyone,

It's that time of the year when Calgary freaks out and goes crazy and sucks at driving/ decide to rock All-seasons during our Calgary winter. Like every year I'm one of those individuals who decides to rock a set of winters on my cars.

I would like to see what people are going to buy this year and why they decided to buy a certain tire.

My previous experience in the last 2 years has been.
1) LS400 (traction control + studded Pirelli Winter Carving Edge)
2) TSX (traction control + The Graspic DS-3 )

I have to replace the set on my TSX and I'm debating what would be the best all around tire. I'm considering price vs. value and whether of not to get another set of studded tires.

My LS400 had no problems with deep snow and ice with the studs but it seems like technology has replaced the use of studs.

What's everyones options?

- Michelin's X-Ice Xi2
- Blizzak WS60
- Winterforce Studdable Winter
- General AltiMAX Arctic
- Continental Extreme Winter Contact
- Kuhmo KW19 or KW27

Warm Regards,

[stevieo]

I'm using general arctic altimax right now and they are serving me well. but i haven't used anyof those other ones.

can't believe snow is all crazy right now haha

[ExtraSlow]

I'd like to hear from anyone who's using studded tires. Obviously the grip on ice and packed snow would be pretty good, but how is it on slushy snow or wet pavement? Significantly reduced?
I've used crappy winter tires, which sucked
Good winter tires, which rocked,
Crappy All seasons, which were terrible
and decent all seasons, which were better than I expected.

Never tired studs though.

[rpalm35]

We just bought some Michelin X-ice Xi2 for our G37x coupe. Pretty excited to see how they perform.

[7thgenvic]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I'd like to hear from anyone who's using studded tires. Obviously the grip on ice and packed snow would be pretty good, but how is it on slushy snow or wet pavement? Significantly reduced?
I've used crappy winter tires, which sucked
Good winter tires, which rocked,
Crappy All seasons, which were terrible
and decent all seasons, which were better than I expected.

Never tired studs though.

Studded tires I think made a huge distance. Before I moved to Europe I was driving from DeWinton to the University of Calgary daily. I actually NEVER had problems leaving my house or driving on hard pack or ice. On a hard brake you could hear the studs grinding the ice and the car rarely slid. Every time I read reviews on tire rack they explain how technology and new silica based compounds have been designed to replace "traditional" studs

[inline6turbo]

Everyone read this post and just accept it as fact!

Nokian Hakkapellitta RSi tires are the best. Bar none.

This is my third winter on them.

First year - RWD Mustang 5.0L = No problems at all
Second year - RWD Rx7 FD3S = No problems at all, towed a AWD subaru UPHILL when it got stuck. Not a joke, many witnesses.

This year they're going on my 5.0L again. Never had a spin out, never got stuck, never slid when stopping, never stuck when starting from a light. AND they're in general less expensive then brand name tires like Bridgestone and Michelin because theyre not that well known yet.

Aston Martin achieved the world land speed record over snow and ice on these tires (they were studded).

My whole family has swtiched and never gone back!


hahaha

[911driver]

Hankook ICE BEARs. = THE BEST

Had them on my 545i last year, were better than anything else I have ever used!! Great on ICE, drove on the hiway a couple times, but mostly in the city and the Henday. 3 of my buddies ran them last year on there BMWs, from what I know they all loved them.

PS. This year I ordered a set for my Porsche, planning to drive it at least a few times, considering I have AWD. Just hate all the damn gravel they through on the roads.

Got mine from buywintertires.ca They were pretty fast, and super cheap. I paid under $1000 for the set, and I am running 225/40R18 and 265/35R18
**they dont have much listed, I had to email them, shitty designed site!

[Sakui77]

Goodyear Ultragrip Ice is what i'm rolling on

[bjstare]

Well, I just want to say, unless you've tried every single winter tire on the market, for a whole season, your not necessarily well informed enough to say they are the best.

Having said that, I've had great experiences with the Michelin X-Ice on my Honda Accord. Never got stuck, and they stopped like the car was on dry pavement. My parents are rocking them on one of their vehicles as well, and love them.

[nobb]

Ive got some Blizzak WS-50s on my FWD sedan and they are AMAZING. They claim (Tire Rack I think) the tube multicell technology used on these tires is supposed to outperform a studded tire, but Ive never had studded tires and Im really curious if that is true. The only downside to owning something as extreme as the Blizzaks is that they seem soft and Im worried they will wear out faster seeing as how Calgary's weather can change from being cold to hot randomly.

I also think proper weight distribution is important too. Our minivan with all season Michelin Symmetry tires out performs our RWD truck with Kumho KW11 winter tires. Ill try some sandbangs this winter to see if it makes a difference. The KW11s seem to get great reviews, but the tread doesnt look that aggressive compared to my Blizzaks.

[Redlyne_mr2]

For a second I thought this was the classic but always hated "when do I put my winter tires on thread". I was ready to stop being friends with you 7thgencivic.

[austic]

Michelin's X-Ice Xi2 on order. heard nothing but good things about them

[EK 2.0]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2

For a second I thought this was the classic but always hated "when do I put my winter tires on thread". I was ready to stop being friends with you 7thgencivic.

I am sure we can find a less important reason to stop being friends with him...

I am all about the Kumho KW-19....

[98type_r]

used blizzak's for 8 years on my integra and never got stuck once even during the most epic snowfalls.

[Aleks]

General Altimax on the Forester
Dunlop Wintersports 3D on the WRX

[The_Rural_Juror]

Pirelli Sottozeros this year. So far so good.

[Deetz]

After switching from X Ice over to" Toyo GO2+" tires about 5 years ago with positive results being night and day, i have been running them them on the last 3 vehicles

Thumbs up from me

[rockym20]

Had Blizzak's on my Volvo and they were unbelievably good on show and ice, but very soft and had a lot of sidewall flex when it warmed up.

Have Hankook W409's (Ipike) on my BMW. A step down from the Blizzaks on ice and hard pack. Quite a bit worse in deep snow. However, they have stiff sidewalls and much better dry performance that I was expecting - as good as an all season. Plus they don't seem to have shown much wear & will easily last 2 - 3 seasons.

[510-Trevor]

I have the Michelin's on my 4000lb + Charger.
First used them last winter, I really like the way they work on my car. I just put them back on this morning.

[inline6turbo]

Originally posted by cjblair
Well, I just want to say, unless you've tried every single winter tire on the market, for a whole season, your not necessarily well informed enough to say they are the best.

Having said that, I've had great experiences with the Michelin X-Ice on my Honda Accord. Never got stuck, and they stopped like the car was on dry pavement. My parents are rocking them on one of their vehicles as well, and love them.

Well...

I've had 32 cars all with various winter tires, some FWD, some AWD, most RWD

I've driven on:
X-Ice
Artic Claw
Blizzak
Ipike
and a couple others

Ones I can say I have NOT tried, the Kuhmos and Pirellis.

I used to work at Kal Tire for a year, start and end in winter season. Did extensive training in winter tires. All the top safety picks, consumer reports, customer feedback, manufacturing and construction information on most winter tires.

I might have a tad bit more info on this subject but the only thing it boils down to is personal choice and brand comfort.