Winter tire experiences?

[smbrm]

Has anyone had the opportunity to experience their snow tire solutions in winter, dry, wet, snow, slush, ice yet?

[notFRS]

hankook ipikes, 20-30cm of snow. Compact snow/icy roads. Now we are onto slush. No issues so far.

[smbrm]

Originally Posted by notFRS

hankook ipikes, 20-30cm of snow. Compact snow/icy roads. Now we are onto slush. No issues so far.

May I assume 409's? How do find the Ipikes in the dry and just rain? You sound happy with snow, ice & slush!

[ilac91]

Continental Extreme Winter Contact. Very good on dry and wet. When the ski season starts out here ill know more on how it handles on snow and slush. Tires are also a lot quieter than the stock Primacy tires.

[stateless]

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60, stock tire size on stock rim. So far tried them on about 5-10 cm fresh and compacted snow, mild slush and sheer ice.

Very good so far on the snow and slush. Sheer ice (it was like glass) is a bit trickier, but I haven't been stuck, even after completely stopping on it (while a truck was completely stuck on the same road, and on similar ice a PT Cruiser spun out in front of me while I maneuvered around it without much trouble). On dry they seem to handle at about 80% or so of the stock HP Primacy, and remain stable at 130km/h. I find taking TC off and setting VSC to Sport helps on snow/mixed conditions, as then the tires really communicate the exact grip each has and it's easier to judge the point of traction and control the car. Driving on pure ice I found it better to leave TC/VSC on, but to start from a stop I had to turn TC off and accelerate extremely slowly. Just like on the dry, if the rear is slid out on the snow it is easy and quick to reign back in without drama or fishtailing, but that probably says more about the chassis/suspension than the tires.

I should probably mention that when I was starting on pure ice, I had about 50 lbs of lighting equipment in the trunk, which may have helped, though when I avoided the PT Cruiser the trunk was empty.

[notFRS]

Originally Posted by smbrm

May I assume 409's? How do find the Ipikes in the dry and just rain? You sound happy with snow, ice & slush!

Those are the ones, I didnt get mine studded, but thats only because I dont like studded tires. They are great on the wet roads or dry pavement, they dont feel sloppy/floaty like most winter tires do.


Divided road after they finally plowed 3 days later. windrows; 3' high

windrow at an intersection, couldn't see the opposing traffic lanes, 4' high.

[Apoc]

Wow you have way more snow than Calgary I feel much better. I went with Continental Extreme Winter Contact and subaru 16" steelies. I get good traction on snow and ice and they are quiet on dry pavement.

[smbrm]

So far I have heard of folks going for 16" or 17"(where available) Blizzak WS-70, Blizzak LM-60, Hankook Ipike 409, Michelin Ice X-2, Michelin Ice X-3 and now Continental Extreme winter contact. The last time I actually bought snow tires was the first year that Blizzak hit the market! I am sure the technology has changed and I have looked at the reviews, but one of these choices must be a good balance of most things between, dry/wet/snow/slush/ice performance? So just asking around to see what folks like? Comments on all experiences are welcome!

[Pete156]

Anybody try Gislaved Nord Frosts?

[JSUB]

Originally Posted by Pete156

Anybody try Gislaved Nord Frosts?

Had those (NF 5) on my 05 Legacy GT last year and they were great but the car was AWD.

Running Hakka 7's on my BRZ now but no snow yet so can't compare.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Pete156

Anybody try Gislaved Nord Frosts?

Yup those are what is going on my car next week. Had them on my old 2011 GTI last winter and they were awesome. 205 55 R16's