GET YOUR DEDICATED SNOW TIRES NOW !!!

Snow ... yeah, I’ve heard of that stuff. What a wild phenomenon...

“Snow tires,” you say? So, why would somebody want to make tires out of snow?

 

As long as you're getting them on loose rims, nows a great time, beat the rush.

 

Thanks! I figured, “snowman, snow tire...”

For the record though, here in Austin, we do probably do average around one snowfall per year, but only get any real accumulation about once every couple years or so.

The breakpoint seems to be somewhere around Waco, TX: In Dallas, it’s more like 2-3 snow storms per year.

Just FWIW...

 

Great video above. I like the part where the driver comments that turning and braking on ice with so-called all season tires is like curling. One afternoon coming down the mountain from skiing at Mt. Bachelor in my FWD car with 4 winter tires traffic was really slow and at one point stopped. I got out to rearrange something in the car and could barely walk on the slick ice polished by many skidding tires. The car was steady and stable when driving; the road was too slick to walk on.

-20°C = -4°F

 

Hummm, while they are budget-priced tires for sure, in the past 4 years I have purchased Michelin X-ice Xi3 195/65R15 twice both times for less than $60/tire final price after discounts and rebates. ($53.25/tire from a local tire shop on cyber Monday sale and $52.50/tire from Discount Tire Direct shipping included) I am not sure if I would go for those budget tires at that price.

 

Yeah, that is the point. Budget-priced tires usually do not have an additional discount and/or manufacturer rebates. If you have time to wait and watch for a great deal, you can have premium tires at a bargain price. Right now, Michelin is not offering any rebates. Next sales will likely to take place around Columbus Day weekend and even deeper discount can be had on Black Friday. Of course, for winter tires it may get too late for some areas and supply may get too low. So there is a risk. But no risk no gain. I am waiting for Michelin Latitude X-Ice for my SUV to go on sale. My target price is 30% off from MSRP of $211/tire.

 

Yap, I agree. But if you start shopping well in advance, you can avoid all that. Right now is a great time to shop for summer tires for next year. The best time to buy winter tires would be at the end of winter when tire place wants to get rid of their stocks. I already have my winter tires ready for my PRIME. I just ordered wheels for our SUV. If I find tires in the target price range I will put them on before this winter, otherwise, I may just wait for the end of winter. It's second car not needed for DD.

 

One year I put on the X-Ice, and the next day my wife drove the car. When she got back I asked how they were, and she said she hadn't noticed them, didn't realize the snows were on.

That's worth something to me.

 

After using Xice on my Gen3, I can't think of ever trying any other snow tires. My first ever snow tire was studded. It had the best grip on ice, but that was about all the good thing about the tire. On snow, it did not do so well. The worst part was on wet or dry pavement, I felt like I was always driving on a gravel road. My son has budget-priced snow tire, Sumitomo Ice Edge for winter. It is studable but my son has without studs. The problem is it still sounds like and feels like studded snow tires.

 

Just curious. How did you conclude this? From the data you suggested to check, it clearly shows the opposite.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=193

Now, I have never compared those two tiers side by side myself. In fact, I have never driven, or probably even rode on a car equipped with Yoko Ice Guard, so if you have driven both your opinion is perfectly valid.

 

Call me mr synical for this, but, The guy in the video (professional driver?), must be trying to make a point.
As he mentioned in the first test - straight braking - it took longer to reach 60 and longer to stop.
OK, it longer to reach 60, but how much longer. How much longer makes a big deal when determining how much longer it actually took to brake from 60, not the distance the black SUV was past the Orange one.

I'll be the guinea pig on the hub rings, unless someone else already tested them with a set of steelies.

Oh, for those nasty looking lugs, when mine get all narrly I pull um and get one or two of the wifes old nail polish bottles that's 1/4 full and paint them up with good ole enamel paint, and if lucky I get some flake in there too. The first coat usually gets wore off or chipped during install / tightening. but the second and third coat usually stick fairly well.

@Tideland Prius I'm really interested in your review of the hakkcapeliitta 's
even thought I doubt they will ever go on / be on sale in my size and even if I have to wait until next spring for a through evaluation.

one more thing before I go, I once got sears Traction X bias ply snows for my 72 charger, radials were just starting to show up for general tyre sales. But they were out of stock in my cars size and offered me one size smaller width. I swear I had so much more traction with those tires in the smaller width, even when I did get stuck in a snow bank I was able to rock her out without any ballast weight in the trunk.

What are your thoughts on 185 65 15 snows and 205 65 15 all weather for the prime?