cabose369

So I want to hear what those of us in Canada who have TL's are doing for Winter Tires.

I just got 2 seasons out of Michelin Pilot Alpine PA3's (40,000km). I am trying to get Costco to get Michelin to warranty them for premature wear. The tires wore in the middle the most. Sides are 7/32, middle is 6/32. All inflation and service was done at Costco.

However, in case this fails I am curious to see what everyone else here is doing and how it has worked out in case I need to buy new winters. I am in the GTA so input from those here would be most appreciated because we have some horrid snow and snow plowing here.

Please state where you live, what model TL you have, what tire size you are using and what rims you are using.

Example:
Greater Toronto Area, Ontario
08 TL-S
235/45/17
OEM Rims

One of the problems I found is that, because I have the TL-S, stock steelies don't fit. I don't where to get some cheap steelies that will work because of the Brembo brakes in the front.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Not canadian but we get pretty harsh weather here in NE. To get around the brembo clearance issue I'd recommend getting yourself some stock 04-06 TL wheels as they are easily available at a reasonable price.

I had the Alpine PA3s on my car last year, used the set up for one snowfall and ended up selling them right away as these tires pretty much sucked.

Currently I am using studded General Altimax on my stock 17" wheels and I couldnt be happier.

Another reason why I hated the PA3s was lack of deep snow traction. I travel to work at 4 AM in the morning and usually roads are not that clean at that time hence I needed a tire with good deep snow traction and the Altimax does just that and then some

Edward'TLS

The PA3/PA4's are high performance snow tires.

They are built for high performance driving on the dry winter roads, and in light to moderate snow. So they won't perform as well as, e.g., the Blizzak's, in deep and heavy snow.

Bankz

I just picked up some oem stock 07/08 type-s rims with winter snow viking tires for $200 off this guy who traded his car for a Audi S4, tires have one year left on them

happyboy

Waverley (Halifax) Nova Scotia
2005 TL 6 speed
225/45-17
OEM rims
Dunlop Graspic gs2

This will be my fourth winter...they are okay in snow, but on wet roads at plus 2C I will occasionally spin in 2nd gear at half throttle...which is weird cuz my bald summers will still stay hooked up easily. Anyhow, I my winters on a late as possible (Dec19th this year) and pull them off in early April, so I might have 24-26,00kms on them. Might get another year yet.......

cabose369

Studded are illegal in Ontario. Otherwise I would have probably considered getting some.

I actually found no problems with the PA3's in any snow. My dad has XI3's on his 04 Camry and I found that my tires handle the snow significantly better than the XI3's. With that being said the premature wearing of the tires sucks.

I'm gonna look into that 04-06 TL rim cause that is a very interesting option I didn't realize was available. Thanks for that.

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Ill tell you what; my brand new all season sumitomo's suck ass on this Toronto slush. They must not put much effort into the city roads cause I was sliding all over

happyboy

New snow tires are actually better not studded due to advances in rubber composition. Only place studded tires are better is where it stays really cold so you are driving on compacted snow (way up north...like Grande Prairie Alberta!), or on ice........................................

cabose369

where are the rest of the Canadian drivers inputs? I also would like to hear from Americans who have to run Winter Tires due to the snowfall they get.