Michelin X-ice 3 snow tires + PiP = 2 thumbs up

'Just thought I would post a quick 2-week review of the Michelin X-Ice 3 snow tires. I just had a set installed in the OEM size 195/65 15. 'Found a set on eBay for $464 shipped minus a seller rebate for $100 so $364 + around $45 for a local tire shop install/balance, so around $400 total out the door.

I haven't done long stretches of driving on them, but so far the mileage appears to be ballpark to the stock Yoko S33s (it's tough to tell this time of year since the lower temps and poorer road conditions are also contributing to lower mileages anyway). Michelin classifies the X-ice as a LRR tire. Highway noise is definitely more noticeable than the S33s but not unpleasant.

We had our first snow the other day (I'm in the High Plains/Central US). Not real deep (only about 4"), but wet, icy and slushy conditions coming down and on the road. I was VERY impressed with the car/tires in these conditions. I drove over to an abandoned parking lot and did some hard braking and fast starts from stops and tight, fast turns just to get a feel for the PiP and the tires. It was VERY difficult to break loose/spin on these tires. Along with the traction control and the ABS, this is a VERY solid, comforting vehicle to drive in these moderate snow/slush/ice conditions. 'Definitely more stable than either my old Jeep Liberty or Toyota truck for these conditions. Now of course deeper snow and more off-road conditions would be a different story, but I was quite surprised and pleased how well this FWD vehicle and tires did. I wish I would have had a camera for the expression of the guy in the Silverado I passed going up a small hill...he was fishtailing and making little forward progress while the PiP went up with no worries

I went out early the next day when the roads had iced up pretty well and again, very solid and reliable starting, stopping and turning when most other vehicles were spinning from their starts and sliding past their stops.

I'll post back as I get more miles on these tires, but with the little testing I've done so far I'd strongly recommend consideration of these tires for those considering a dedicated snow tire for the PiP. Apparently other reviewers on Tire Rack feel the same way (way more reviews for the X-ice 2 than the X-ice 3).

 

Hey thanks and let's definitely post back as we get some more miles on these tires. Like you, this is my first non-4wd or AWD vehicle in many, many years. My biggest concern is the lack of clearance underneath and getting high-centered if trying to plow through too much snow. But truth be told with climate change in my neck of the woods, those kind of snows are fewer and further between. And my Toyota 4x4 pickup can be called into service for the serious stuff I think I'm finally being honest with myself in what I really need (= actually use) in a vehicle and what I (and the 4x4/AWD marketers/advertising) convince myself I need For 95% of my driving, I think the PiP will do just fine...although I think these tires will nudge that % up a bit...