Finally, an ice/snow test of car and tires

Today I got my first real test of the Michelin X-Ice tires. The conditions were 4" of new snow, with glazed ice on some parts of the road.

The tires performed beyond my expectations. They had good traction on both the snow and ice. My driveway is steep, but I had no trouble getting up it.

I now see why Consumer Reports rated this tire #1.

 

I have used them on ice and snow or what we call ice and snow out here on the left coast, 5 inches of sloppy snow that when you drive on it it turns to water covered ice and had little trouble, but I learned to drive up at the start of the Alaska Hiway so take most things in stride. Made it up one nasty hill with a lot of spunout cars on it and made it to the top. If the snow you have is soft and wet a decicated winter tire would probably be better. It's your money.

 

Lee:

Then I'm sure good "all season" tires will work fine for you. Not much of a choice way up here, especially in temps below -25 C an "all season" tread gets too slick.

I'm sure you're a nice fellow, but that picture is scary. You have any cat pictures instead?

jay

 

Note that winter tires are not just for snow and ice. Regular tires stiffen up more at low temperatures, and don't perform as well. So a winter-rated tire is better for temperatures below freezing even if the roads are clear.

 

Hello, I put Nokian Hak 2's without the studs on steel wheels. Great traction on my very steep driveway in Vermont but a high pitch whine on dry pavement. Louder than my Blizzaks and Integrities. I just turn up the tunes But I'm a going to ski no matter what. MPG didn.t suffer dramatically and I hope the noise reduces with breakin.