Hi All,

I am planning to get winter tires for my TSX and i am going with Nokian Hakkapeliitta R.

I am in VA and could some one in DC Region let me know whether any Tireshop sells the Nokian Brand Tires !!

I have the spare OEM Wheels and i am not able to decide whether to get the
215/50/R17 , 205/60R16, 205/50R17 .

Can i have R16 Spec on 17" Wheels ?? I have read many threads indicating 16 will be better for Winter..

Could some one pls suggest ??

Thanks
Mars

 

You need 16" rims if you want that tire size, its just that 17" has less selections and 16' gives you more traction,

I was using nokian wr for 4 winter seasons had to switch out the front two for the newer 2. THeir great when it does and doesnt snow.

 

I would recommend not getting the Nokian R's. Like lcrazyaznl above, I'm also running the Nokian WR, they are much better than the R's. If I were to replace mine (currently on stock rims), I would replace them with 205/50/17.

As for local dealers:

http://www.nokiantires.com/dealer-locator

 

Hi

Thanks for your reply.. Nearest dealer is at least 100 miles away !!!..

I might get the Dunlop SP Sport from my local sams..!!

Mars

 

I'm seriously considering the Nokian WR's. Just out of curiosity, how well do they hold up tread wise if you use them during all 4 seasons?

Also, how good is the snow traction with them vs. a designated winter tire such as a Blizzak WS-60?

I'm really debating on whether I should just dump my crappy OEM Michelins with 20k miles on them (07 TSX), or just get some winter tires - Blizzak or the Dunlops. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

I had the Nokian WR on my 2nd gen TL for 4 winter seasons and they were great. I'm not sure what the weather is like where you're from but I doubt it'll be as bad as parts of Canada (unless you live in the mountains or in the upper latitudes like Wisconsin / Minnesota, etc). WR are all-season tires but have the 'snowflake' (which indicate for extreme winter use) so their tread design can be used for real winter applications.

For my current car, I've gone with the Nokian WR G2 (generation 2 of the WR series) and so far, I haven't had a real chance to test them outside of wet weather. Tires are quiet and grip well when the temps are below freezing. When I first got them (temp 70F, resins on from fresh tires could be seen on the treat) ... I thought they were horrible in terms of handling. But then I realized I was going from my 19" Bridgestone with treadwear of 140 to a tire meant for cooler temps ... my opinion changed immediately once it got cold.

Another option, check out tirefactory.net -- they sell online and free shipping to the lower 48. I used them and like their service. Highly recommended.

 

THey lasted me winter 2005 to the past winter pretty great with buffalos long winter season here.

Snow is unpredicted, I'd have to estimate if im at 100,000 miles i probably got about my 50,000 miles worth on just those tires during winter.

I also make a drive almost 4 times back and for nyc every winter to switch them on and off and go home during break.

so 450 miles each. I never get blizzaks or winter tires because buffalo it snows like once in awhile we just get alot of it at once, and most of the time im not driving in snow.

Just when even I need to drive i rather have my nokian wrs, than my summer tires.
They work out well if your really driving on light snow, to a few inches, i've got them stuck in 5 inches of snow yesterday, but that was only due to my ride height, all the snow build up in the wheel wells.

So i just kick them out ever 20 mins if the snow is coming down hard. Other than that i find them very quiet tires and easy on the ride.

 

Finally i bought the Michelin X-Ice from tirerack and have them installed at costco..

I would love to get Nokian tires but i don't have any one who sells them locally in DC Area!!

Thanks for all the suggestion..