New Snow Tires for 2011-2012

Why do you want to go with a taller tire?

Not your only options but here are a few to look at:

Michelin X-Ice Xi2 w/ GreenX
UTQG=None, 51psi, 18lbs, 851, $98

Nokian WRG2
UTQG=, 17LBS, 11/32, 851

Pirelli Winter 210 Snowcontrol Series II
UTQG=None, 44psi, 11/32, 20lbs,

There are the other Nokian options if you need something more agressive but your MPG will suffer for it.

 

Are either of those an LRR tire? I think michelin with greenx usually are, right? I'm probably going to need new winter tires either halfway through winter or at the end of this winter. Then again, I'm also debating just using my Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires during winter. The last 2 winters I've run the winter tires, and I feel like they grip much better with inclement weather - esp since snow plowing here isn't exactly great.

 

Yes, Matt. All three are rated for LRR. Now how low their RR is I have no clue. They are just rated as such.

 

Tiresbyweb.com sells Nokian. You may also want to check the Nokian website for other dealers that may be local to you.

I checked the Nokian site and both the WR and WRG2 are available in 195/65/15.

Nokian WRG2

 

I used Michelin X-Ice 195/65R15 (the usual OEM size, for levels II thru IV) on Corolla steel rims, for our stock Michelin Pilot 215/45R17 (we have Canadian "Touring" model, same tires as US V). My take on the X-Ice: good traction, smooth and quiet ride, no noticeable difference in fuel economy. Maybe if our stock tire was 195/65R15 size there might have been some difference, but anyway.

I've also used Nokian WRG2, as snow tires on our previous HCHII. They were a little noisy, not bad though. Also, mileage suffer a bit compared to our stock LRR tire, more so around town than on the highway. In this case both tires were 195/65R15.

 

Thanks for that info! How many winters have you gotten out of the tires? Do you have a rough est of miles on the tires and what you might look to get out of them still? I noticed the Blizzaks were very quiet, but as for a mileage hit, it's hard to say since there's also that winter MPG hit already. I did notice that at 40/38 psi they were a little rough on the bumps, though. I'll definitely keep the x-ice on the list of potential replacement tires, though.

 

The WRG2 have numbers embedded in the tread: 8, 6 and 4, representing remaining tread depth, in mm I believe. After the second winter on our Previous HCHII, with maybe 8000 km's per winter, the 8's were just disappearing. Brand new they might have been 9~10mm tread depth, you could check that on tirerack.

The Michelin X-Ice have been used just one winter, on our current Prius, and our "miles" wasn't that much: maybe 6000 km. When brand new they had a fine, lateral corrugation pattern on the face of the tread. As far as I can see they still have that pattern, or mostly. In other words, tread depth barely budged. I'm guess the second winter tread will erode a bit faster. Still, pretty good.

 

That's pretty good. I probably average about as much distance traveled as you do over winter, but we will easily get days here that are warmer than you'll experience. I think that wears the tires a bit quicker here. I probably have roughly 10k miles (about 16k kms) on my Blizzaks. It sounds like you (or me, since we seem to travel about the same distance in winter) could probably get 4 years from the X-Ice. But, the warmer the driving surface, the quicker I hear snow tires wear out, so that might put me at 3 yrs, a little less than you.

 

I would have to recommend the Nokian WR-G2 tires. Personally, i've had every single "popular" brand tires (eg. Michelin, Bridgestone, BFG) on my car and they are not even close to as good as these Nokians. Not many people know about these tires so here's some info off their website.

Inside – Outside Design Tread Pattern - Tread pattern differs on the inside of the tire and the outside shoulder of the tire for the best handling on wet and dry pavement
• Driving Safety Indicator - DSI system uses number blocks displayed in the center of the tread area, indicating the safety level and remaining tread depth in millimeters
• 3-D Self-Locking Siping - The self-locking siping located in the central rib supports the tire in the lateral and longitudinal direction, and particularly improves driving stability and wet grip
• Water Wipe System - Ensures that the tread is pressed firmly against the pavement to prevent hydroplaning and slushplaning when braking
• Canola Oil and Cool Silica Tread Compounds - These compounds combined improve winter wet grip and reduces tire rolling resistance saving fuel without compromising its winter capabilities
• Respecting the Environment - Manufacturing Process uses only low aromatic, purified oils
• Severe Service Emblem - Only four-season family of tires that carries the Severe Service Emblem exceeding new government snow condition regulations

These tires are an ALL SEASON performance tire...yet they perform better in snow than just about ALL dedicated winter tires!

As you can see from the information above, the Nokian WR-G2 is simply the best all-season tire that money can buy.

I got mine from TiresByWeb.com. They have fast, free shipping which is nice.

 

Question on snow tires:
I recently traded my 2004 Prius for a 2011 model and see the tire size is different. I have the snow tires from the old car. Is it OK to use them on the new one even though the formal tire size is different? I know it will affect odo and speedometer readings. The tires are on their own rims and in great shape so I hate to waste them!
Thanks

 

At this point a little late, but I think you'll like your Nokian WRG2. They would seem to be the more "all-season" of the two choices, but having used first the WRG2 on a previous HCHII, and then the X-Ice on our current Prius, the X-Ice seem at least as civilized: a bit quieter, less (or no) calculable impact on mileage. The Nokians are cool though

 

Last winter I bought a set of Continental Extreme Winter Contact at my local Toyota dealer, on sale for $80/each. I live back in the hills. They worked great.
Continental ExtremeWinterContact