Snow Tire recommendation ?

[Mike]

Blizzaks or Hakka r3 SUV are the best going.

Have the Hakka r2 on my Tacoma. Will likely go Blizzak on the Mav mainly due to availability

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[Jakb]

If you're getting tires at Costco (which i recommend) they have alternating tire sales. So if your Michelin is on sale now, wait till the end of the sale period and Bridgestone will go on sale.

 

[Meintc]

I have never had snow tires so this may be a stupid question, but...Do you run snow tires year round? Buy four extra rims, mount them, then keep them in your garage until the weather turns cold and them swap your other tires into the garage?

I have never had snow tires so this may be a stupid question, but...Do you run snow tires year round? Buy four extra rims, mount them, then keep them in your garage until the weather turns cold and them swap your other tires into the garage?

No such thing as a stupid question. You don't use winter tires all year. They are designed to be softer so they grip the icy snowy roads better. They help in controlling your vehicle better, but it isn't magic. Ride on ice and you'll still slide, you just may not slide as far.

 

[Meintc]

No. Do that and you end up with uneven traction and a harder vehicle to control. Don't do that. Get a full set. Ideally on a dedicated set of winter wheels so you don't have to dismount the tires off the wheels twice a year, which causes wear and potential damage.



My only experience is with Michelin X-Ice Xi-3 which perform well, they've got newer versions out by now just like everyone else. Way better than the factory tires Ford uses in some midwest snow.

Current options at Costco for 225/65R17:

$657.88 + tax for the Michelins at Costco this month, Discount Tire usually will match them or beat them on Labor Day sales, etc

Ideally they're on dedicated wheels which adds expense but reduces wear and speeds up seasonal swaps. No, unless you live at under 40ºF all year, you'd swap to winter tires when it drops below there, and swap back when it warms up in the spring. Part of the magic of winter tires is that they're softer at lower temps so they don't turn into frozen hockey pucks, but when it warms up, that makes them too soft, they'd wear out prematurely, etc. See above, the Michelins are rated for only 40k in cold weather, less in warm weather and not warrantied, while Michelin all-seasons are easily rated 55-60k+ mi. Also, most brands don't even give a warranty on winter tires.

I thought you had to buy 4 tires regardless if 4wd or 2wd, but I couldn't remember why. Thanks for this explanation and costs.

 

[Meintc]

As warned above, DO NOT mix dedicated winter tires with all season tires! That can create a dangerous vehicle rotation scenario due to the traction delta.

The rubber compound in winter tires is also much softer than all season tires, so theoretically, you could run them year around, but they will wear out much quicker during warm weather. And given that they are on average more expensive than all season tires, it makes no sense to use them during non-winter conditions.

The best practice is to get a second set of wheels (cheap steelies are great for this) for your winter tires, and swap sets every fall & spring.

Look for a quality brand with good reviews at a price point you can afford.

Thank you. If the pictures of the Maverick bed with tires inside are accurate, when I get the tires changed, my swapped out tires will fit nice in my truck bed when I take them home to their winter retreat (garage).

 

[Meintc]

Blizzaks or Hakka r3 SUV are the best going.

Have the Hakka r2 on my Tacoma. Will likely go Blizzak on the Mav mainly due to availability

You should have first hand knowledge on snow tire living in Canada. That is if you are north of Detroit, which I am. Southern Michigan have milder winters than where I live.

 

[Meintc]

If you're getting tires at Costco (which i recommend) they have alternating tire sales. So if your Michelin is on sale now, wait till the end of the sale period and Bridgestone will go on sale.

I will have to wait on a different sale than your post. I won't get my truck until maybe October. But if they alternate that'll be good. Thanks.

 

[Clock Doc]

I'm in New England so I have to deal with snow too. I'd go with the Blizzaks over most all others. I have swapped my summer tires with my winters. When I had the money after winter bought steel wheels and had everything swapped remounted. It breaks up the cost a little.

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