I'm traveling through Canada in Oct. / Nov. and need to purchase winter tires. Also would like a spare donut tire. Any recommendations? I've lived in a climate where we don't even think about winter tires!
Maybe give a thought to whether you want to be changing a tire in 30 below zero weather. I'd get roadside service if I were you.
Michelin X-ICE2 were the best until Michelin X-ICE3 came out. And by best, I mean best winter tire that is non-studded and easily available at one of a bagillion tire stores. The more concerning factor may be your lack of winter driving training. I highly suggest you find a parking lot with snow/ice immediately on arrival or even a gravel rally track area and whip the car around to see how it feels. You don't want to learn how to get out of a spin/skid as it is happening...
Get a set of steel wheels for the winter tires and keep one of the OEM wheels and tire as the spare. Then, you can forget the donut, which is not as good as a full size spare.
As for winter driving skills, the best advice I can offer; if you know how to roller-skate, it's kinda like that.
Thanks everyone. I'll take a look for the Michelin's. I've had good success with there regular ones in the past. I do have Roadside service but it's not much use if you don't have a spare. The one irritation with the PIP, IMHO, since I had two flats in the first 5000 miles. So won't go on a long trip without a spare of some kind. And I grew up in New England, so snow driving is second nature to me. but thanks for your concerns. And since this is a fairly leisurely trip, I don't plan on heading out in any snowstorms. I do want to be prepared for the mountain passes though with good tires. @GregP507 - should I expect snow in Calgary in late October?
Yes you should. Expect the first snowfall any time in October, and full-on winter any time after November 1. A few users have posted pics of stowing a spare: PIP Spare Tire Stowage | Page 2 | PriusChat Wish list for next generation Prius Plug-in | Page 13 | PriusChat
