Winter Tire Finalists

I have 15" rims and just mounted a set of Continental ExtremeWinterContacts. They are one of the top rated winter tires, per TireRack and Consumer Reports. Since I have only had them on for a couple of days, I have no further comments at this time.

 

Our stock tire with the Canadian Touring Model was Michelin Pilot in215/45R17. With temps's dropping in our area, On Friday I had 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice installed, with Corolla steel rim (p/n: 42611-02471).

Saturday afternoon was our first gas-up after the "dealer" tankful, which was mostly on the stock tires, and a mixed bag including test drives, one freeway trip, and a lot of local chore runs. The displayed mileage was 5.2 liters/100km, and when I calc'd it came to 5.5.

Saturday night, on the Michelin X-Ice, with trip A reset, we did a run of maybe 70 km into town for a concert. We hit Canucks game bog-down getting off the freeway, so a fair bit of stop-and-go. In town we had to pick someone up, were there for a while. Then to the venue. Long story short, a fairly typical mix of driving conditions, a combination of traffic conditions, city streets and freeway, albeit with 80 km/hr limit due to construction.

Rolling into our garage when we got home the mileage was at 4.2 liters per 100 km. Likely the calc mileage .2~.3 higher, but still, not bad for a snow tire.

Also, very smooth running, forgot we had them on, LOL.

 

We had Nokian WRG2 on our previous 2006 Civic Hybrid, used them for two winters, the first with lots of snow, the second with next to none, and actually just put them on for our son, who is taking it over the Civic. They are somewhere in the middle between all-season and snows, a great tire for mixed conditions. They did admirably in snow, and the once or twice we got close to stuck it was due to the HCHII's low belly. In that regard the Prius looks to have a little more clearance, at least to my eye.

The Michelin X-Ice is a full snow tire, and purely from what I've read so far: decent but not the leader in deep snow, pretty good on ice. Good feel, little or no impact on mileage. You can read up on it at tirerack. I especially value the anecdotal reviews. It's very popular in our area, widely available.

 

Hmm, I see what you mean: your two full snow tire contenders score higher in snow/ice categories at TireRack, especially deep snow, comparing to the Michelin X-Ice. Yes, depends on your priorities.

Ahh: just got it about the drubbing.

 

I could have got them at Costco for $138.99 plus $15.00 for install, plus $5.00 tire levy, with free road hazard, and the current $70 off on a set of 4 taken off directly on the bill (no mail-in). But:

Since I was going with Corolla steel rims ($70 per), I decided to go with a Toyota dealership, the one who proposed using the steel rims. It all worked out, but I did not want to gamble on the consequences of just picking up the rims and taking them to Costco, and then having a fit problem. So all in all, going through Toyota dealer:

+$2 per tire cost
+$5 per tire install
+$8 total (shop supplies, grhh)

Road hazard optional, declined

Michelin's $70 rebate on set of 4 is the same, but mail-in, a bit more hassle.

So, went in with my eyes open, ie: knew it would cost a bit more, but like buying insurance. Also, made for one stop shopping, different lug nuts are needed, @ $31 for 20. And, Costco was starting to run out of the X-Ice at some stores, so...

If you go with the Corolla rims, you can rest assured: they do work, ie: I'd go the "pick up the rims/nuts and head for Costco" route, as long as they have stock, and time.

Aside: I'm kind of wondering what the switch to OEM 15" size is doing to our ODO: our stock 17" are slightly smaller OD, it's about 98% fewer revs-per-mile. Not sure if our speedo is adjusted differently, I've heard it is. So now with the 15" snows on: if it says 98 km/hr, it would have said 100 km/hr with the 17". Slight difference.

 

I just put Bridgestone LM60's on my PriusV with rims.... Great tires

Had them put on our Genesis Coupe last year and work fantastic in ice and snow.

 

Treadlife is about 4 seasons, that is what discount tire says. I never got stuck. We live in the country and have a long uphill driveway and is no problem with winter tires in snow.

The Genesis is great..it is our fun car... almost 17000 miles not one problem. The Sonata 2.0T sounds very interesting and I am very curious about the Sonata Hybrid (KIA Optima hybrid). I love my PRIUS though.