I have read multiple threads on this subject but would like to know specifically in New England, what's better to have, studs or snow tires? Need expert advice before making the big purchase. Thanks!
Well, my 2004 Prius is one of the rare ones with hyper-sensitive Traction control. I've tried various studless snow tires (Dunlop Graspic DS-2, Yokohama Ice Guard 10's) which did little to help ice traction. They were *great* in snow Our Canadian Tire chain started carrying Goodyear Nordic studded winter tires a couple of years ago. This tire is exactly the same as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 sold in the EU Goodyear Eur-Winter Tire-UltraGrip 500 If you look under Tech Details, click Profile. A Flash movie loads that explains the tire construction and testing. This is a *very* aggressive winter tire, perfect for frozen Prairie winters This tire pretty much solved my Trac complaints, turning my Prius from a horror into a good winter driver. After two winters with this tire, here are my observations: Positive: - incredible ice and snow traction, very aggressive tread pattern - wear is slightly better than a Blizzak - Safe on wet roads during Spring melt, due to directional tread design Negative: - expect a 5-7 mpg hit due to the aggessive tread pattern - the tread pattern creates a hum/howl resonance on smooth dry roads at speeds of 55-65 km/h The Nokian factory studded winter tires are also great. If you expect to drive in serious winter conditions, I strongly encourage you to invest in dedicated studded winter tires The reason I prefer studded is that when we have weeks of -30 to -40, road deice salt stops working. Intersections and drifted highway sections will become icy and stay icy. I don't understand folks around here who will drive around on "all season" tires. Of course, if they slide off into a ditch, they blame the weather or road maintenance. If they slide through a stop sign, they blame the city. Whatever
Hey jayman, how do you know the 5mpg hit isn't due to the cold temps? We notice a hit on our Lexus hybrid, but atribute it more to the temps ... but if you've driven the winter tires in the summer, than that would answer the question. We like studs for winter, with the only drag being interstate travel. A ticketable offense. Though I DID manage to make the MT - CA round trip, without getting caught.
I'm also in CT, and the Prius I'm anxiously awaiting delivery of is replacing an '03 Subaru Legacy wagon. Subarus are good enough cars, esp in winter, but I've had three and have never gotten more than 24 mpg--I'm finally realizing that dragging around AWD all year long for those few winters days it's really necessary is foolish and expensive. Anyway, I would like to minimize the traction gap between Subaru and Prius with snows, but not studded snows--any suggestion for the best nonstudded snow?
Thanks for the helpful info Jayman, I really appreciate it! Mercuryct, I too traded my Subaru for my Prius and this will be my first winter without all-wheel drive in a number of years. The Subaru's are nice, but I LOVE my Prius!!!:wub:
Keep in mind that studs are illegal in many locations, including ours - despite the Michigan winters. Tom
I have 3 relatives who all own a Prius and live in Maine. They all use snows with studs during the winter months and have not had any problems getting around.
I have the winter tires on separate steel rims, so it takes 20 mins max to change over in my garage. The same temps, say -25 C, running the Michelin Harmony on the OEM wheels, then running the Nordic's, immediate fuel economy difference
Tom True enough. Google is your friend here, it's fairly easy to research studded tire regulations by jurisdiction. For example, Manitoba http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/pdf/h060-220.88.pdf Jurisdictions that nominally ban studded tires may make an exception for visitors, such as Minnesota https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/getpub.php?pubtype=STAT_CHAP_SEC&year=2006§ion=169.72 Makes me want to drive my Prius to Minnesota in winter, just for spite! :evil: jay
If it hasn't already been said, studs tend to tear up the pavement on dry roads and add more particulates to the air. They are also noisy and handle badly on dry pavement. Bridgestone Blizzaks are one of several studless optionss and in many snowy and icy conditions outperform street legal studs. I've ice-autocrossed for years using Blizzaks and usually my lap times are near the top of the studded category without using studs. If you are concerned about the enviroment or road wear, you should probably stay away from studs. Another option is a tire called Green Diamond. I haven't used them yet but I've heard good things about their ice traction. They are actually retreaded tires, (recycling---woohoo!) and have carbide crystals embedded in the rubber for ice traction. Green Diamond Tire
Actually, if you visit the Swedish road transport research site, VTI, they have disproven that First of all, modern studded winter tires are very friendly to roads. Even Ontario has relaxed the +30 year old ban on studded tires. The PM has been found to be primarily from sand that is spread on roads to provide traction on ice I will agree that aggressive studded tires, any aggressive tread tire, is noisy on dry pavement. As far as handling, the studless Yokohama Ice Guard 10 tires I had one winter handled far worse than the studded Goodyear Nordic tires I now use The Ice Guard tires should be driven with caution at highway speeds. Mine tended to wander badly, cornering was "interesting" to say the least!
I'm afraid that link is out of service. This one works Green Diamond Icelander 15" Passenger Vehicle Tires - Set of 4 and gives more detail of the Green Diamond--including the price, which might the reason the Green Diamond Tire website is defunct.
If you're not dealing with driving on ICE then you don't need studs. Those Green Tires mentioned are no real bargain, buy some real snow tires, not some gimmick re-cap!
