Winter Tires??

[pimpin_civic]

I've looked everywhere.

They're all sold out. Apparently they passed a law in Quebec that by Nov 15th all cars must have winter tires.

So these guys come here and purchase them.

 

[Thunderballs]

I got a set of Michelin X-Ice this year and they seem very good so far. I got them at Active Green & Ross but I had to wait two weeks for them since Quebec scooped up most of the winter tires this season.

 

[crystalpalace]

Not true.

As has been discussed before, it is not simply the tread design that does the job for winter/snow tires. The compound making up the tire is different. When the temperature drops below 7 C, get winter tires.

This is true, the compound in winter tires is made to stay more flexible even in very cold weather. All seasons get very stiff once you get below 3-4 degrees. For this reason if you ever run winter tires during summer you will see it will go bald in a matter of months in the hot weather.

 

[pimpin_civic]

Someone was telling me to go to the US to get tires.

Do you think it's even worth it with all the economic turmoil?

I guess my gf is going to have to just drive safely.

BTW, what effect does having 2 snow/ice tires have as opposed to 4? (2 in the front, since FWD)

 

[canucklehead]

I use Nokian G2 WRs ...well last year i drove on them all winter ... this year i have not had the chance for some other reasons .....
But the Nokian tires rock year round ... they are not all seasons they are all weather tires with extreme winter wether rating.

 

[Arena]

Someone was telling me to go to the US to get tires.

Do you think it's even worth it with all the economic turmoil?

I guess my gf is going to have to just drive safely.

BTW, what effect does having 2 snow/ice tires have as opposed to 4? (2 in the front, since FWD)

omg, you cheap bastard......
just get her the winter tires, all 4!
try them on a snowy night, you will wonder how you ever did without.

 

[shakenbake]

I got a set of Michelin X-Ice this year and they seem very good so far. I got them at Active Green & Ross but I had to wait two weeks for them since Quebec scooped up most of the winter tires this season.

I got the Michelin Primacy Alpins on steel rims, same day service at my dealership. And, the price was better than at Green & Ross who woudl make me wait 2 to 3 weeks. At that rate, it woudl have been spring before I got the winter tires. Sheesshhh!

Anyway, I think that they are comparable tires, and they rock!

 

[Geoff]

I ordered a set of Blizzaks from www.tirerack.com and even with the really bad exchange a few weeks ago, shipping, duty, taxes and brokerage, they were cheaper than buying in Canada. Got here in a week.

Highly recommended

What was the bottom line after you paid extra for instal & balance?

 

[pimpin_civic]

would it be wise to buy tires that are 2 years old and with 75% tread left?

Guy told me $320.

 

[smiley1437]

would it be wise to buy tires that are 2 years old and with 75% tread left?

Guy told me $320.

Some ice-tires have a relatively thin layer of the really sticky rubber compound that sticks to ice...that usually gets worn off after a couple of seasons of use and the remaining rubber is closer to all-season rubber, though the tread design will still be better for snow than an actual all-season tire.

Caveat Emptor

 

[pimpin_civic]

Some ice-tires have a relatively thin layer of the really sticky rubber compound that sticks to ice...that usually gets worn off after a couple of seasons of use and the remaining rubber is closer to all-season rubber, though the tread design will still be better for snow than an actual all-season tire.

Caveat Emptor

To my understanding, the entire winter-tire is made of a material that does not freeze up like regular all-seasons do.

 

[smiley1437]

To my understanding, the entire winter-tire is made of a material that does not freeze up like regular all-seasons do.

Sorry, I think the way I structured my explanation may have caused some confusion.

First, you are correct - snow tires will be softer in cold weather than all-seasons.

However, for even better grip on ice, some snow/ice tires have a super-ultra soft compound that only makes up part of the tread, and it can wear very fast.

For example, Blizzaks have something called 'Multicell' compound which does not comprise the entire tire (I don't know what tires you are getting though, it may not apply to you). However, it is the Multicell compound that sticks to ice. Once that is worn away, the tire behaves like a normal snow tire.

You may want to google the specific tire the guy is offering and see if it too has a multicompound construction and whether it may have worn off the super-sticky rubber in the 2 seasons he's had them.

Heck, in the worst case you may be able to haggle down the price some more.

Good luck

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

Try the Canadian Tire, Goodyear Nordic tire. I had them on my last car and I have them now on my new car. Pretty decent for the price.

 

[AdrenalinJunkie]

Two snows on the front, two all season on the back is a recipe for spinning out. A long time ago, I had a Tercel with Pirelli P77's on it. I put new ones on the front, old ones on the back (I had incurred a flat), and spun 3X in 1/2" of snow going to work. The good traction tires need to be on the back.

BTW, I've been running Dunlop Winter Sport M3's for three years now, and just put them on a second vehicle. I absolutely love them, and I am an old school guy who always figured who needs winter tires?

BTW, what effect does having 2 snow/ice tires have as opposed to 4? (2 in the front, since FWD)

 

[wangbang]

Try the Canadian Tire, Goodyear Nordic tire. I had them on my last car and I have them now on my new car. Pretty decent for the price.

Got'em on my car and they are great as are any Nokian tires made for winter.

 

[Surfbum84]

Can I write off snow tires for tax purposes if I use my car for business purposes!?!?!?

 

[svtcobra]

Got'em on my car and they are great as are any Nokian tires made for winter.

I've had my Nokian Hakapalitas One on one of my car for I think 5 winter season now, and the tread wear is still good, and in recent days they are still plowing through the snow and slush. When stoped at the lights I see most people spinning their tires off the get go, the Nokian grip well and take off great. I still recommend them, even though they are a little more money, but you get what you pay for. I never liked Blizzaks as tread wear sucks, oh and my sister has Michillen X-Ice (the new ones) oh her Acura and they are decent but my nokian out perform them hands down in my book.