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Best snow tires

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Marj, Dec 16, 2019.

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  1. Marj

    Marj Junior Member

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    2012 Prius c
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    Three
    My old snow tires are shot, but I didn't realize it until I went to get them mounted today. Any suggestions on the best snow tires to buy for my car? The tire shop offered me a set of Cooper snow tires for $500 mounted, and they looked good, but the size he wrote down is the wrong size.

    I'm looking at tires online, and some places have a huge number of winter tires. It's hard to choose the best. And I don't know where to find ratings on snow tires.

    Your advice or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
    #1 Marj, Dec 16, 2019
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Best? Usually Nokian Hakkapeliita R3 and Michelin X-Ice Xi3 are the two top recommended ones.
    Others include the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80, Yokohama IceGUARD iG52c (if you see more ice and slush than compact snow), Pirelli Wintersotto 3, Continental WinterContact SI
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Dec 16, 2019
    dig4dirt likes this.
  3. skayaks

    skayaks Active Member

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    +1 for the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on the C. I've been happy with mine for 6 winters and trying to squeeze out a 7th. If you care about mpg, I've been impressed by the Xi3.
    But it depends on the type of conditions you may encounter. Even though I value the X-Ice for it's performance on ice and packed snow, when it was time to buy snows for my daughter's CR-V in Burlington, VT we went with Blizzak WS80s for the "blockier" tread pattern.
     
    #3 skayaks, Dec 17, 2019
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    General altimax arctic 12 on ours.

    Not sure I'd call it the very best snow tire on earth, but it was good enough to be a repeat buy between our previous car and our prius. Inexpensive and easy to replace if we were to get a bad puncture.

    I like the Nokians better, but they're ridiculously hard to find where I live. I'd be down a week if one popped.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 17, 2019
  5. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

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    Michelin X-Ice Xi3 were definite winners when I had them on my C. Wish the tread life was longer, but they perform in the snow way beyond what you would expect from looking at them.
     
    #5 rjdriver, Dec 17, 2019
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I think the Xi3 perform better in slush than the R3 (Michelin vs. Nokian respectively) so the Michelins might be a better buy for you in CT. In the prairies, the Nokians performed flawlessly in compact snow (city clears to about 2" of snow to protect the road from wear and tear from their blades) and ice (from freezing rain). On compact snow, my Prius corners as if the pavement was bare and I was on summer tires.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Dec 18, 2019
  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Michelin X-Ice Xi3 was on my Gen3, and now on my PRIME. It may not be the "best" traction tires on ice and packed snow as compared to some other leading brands of snow tires out there, but they are by far the "best" snow tires for occasional snow, sleet, or some ice. The key here is that they are so comfortable to ride when there is no snow or ice on the road surface and it has no effect on mpg compared to OEM LRR all season tires. Since you live in NE, chances are, you would be driving with snow tires on non-snow/ice covered road most of the winter like me. You will appreciate quiet and comfortable snow tires like Xi3.
     
    #7 Salamander_King, Dec 18, 2019
    Tideland Prius and skayaks like this.
  8. RichieRich

    RichieRich Junior Member

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    Hi Marj. I've got a little over 20,000 on my Prius Prime, but I was recently SHOCKED with how poorly it drives in the snow. And the traction system seems to make things worse! I could not even get up a small incline in my driveway...uhh!

    Anyway, I reached to an advanced Toyota tech at my dealership, here's his reply:

    "...Bridgestone blizzak are the best snow tire in my opinion. From your statement it sounds normal to me."

    I searched these forums and many people have recommended them through the years. I called Town Fair, they seem to offer a good price, see quote below.
    _________________________

    BRIDGESTONE
    BLIZZAK WS-90
    SIZE: 195/65R15H
    IBM: 54270
    Price per Tire: $98.00
    $392.00

    SERVICES INCLUDED (FREE)

    • Front Wheel Alignment
    • Dismount & Remount
    • Reset TPM Sensors
    • 30 Day Test Drive
    • Nationwide Warranty
    • Lifetime Flat Repair
    • Lifetime Tire Rotation
    • Lifetime Snow Changeover FREE

    NEW RUBBER VALVE STEM OR TPMS SENSOR RECONDITIONING

    Price per: $5.95
    $23.80
    For 4

    COMPUTERIZED WHEEL BALANCE
    Price per: $16.95
    $67.80
    For 4

    FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT

    IF YOU WISH, BASED ON YOUR VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION OF A FOUR WHEEL (FRONT & REAR) ALIGNMENT, TOWN FAIR TIRE WILL DO IT FOR $59.00. $0.00

    MASSACHUSETTS State Selected

    MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT $59.00

    TIRE DISPOSAL

    Price per: $2.75
    $11.00
    For 4

    MA SALES TAX
    $25.99

    TOTAL $579.59
     
    #8 RichieRich, Dec 26, 2019
  9. Reno411

    Reno411 Junior Member

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    Snow tires on a prius c lol. You must like to waste money. The car isn't driving in anything over a few inches. 69 hp and minimal ground clearance. Snow tires on a prius c lol
     
    #9 Reno411, Jun 23, 2020
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