gurot1

I'm looking for a new set of snows and I was wondering what your experiences have been with the above tires. I was initially thinking dunlop 3D, but they are mostly sold out. I currently have Pilot Alpines that are 4 years old. I like the dry traction, but they could use a bit better grip in snow and ice. I was gonna look at nokian but 1, they are hard to find and 2 they are pricey! I can get toyo or pilot for about 750 installed taxes inc( gonna use my old 16" steelies).looking at 205/60/16. Anyone have any input regarding the above two? One reason i like the pilot alpines i had was because even when it warms up they are okay and not melting on the road. Our weather can change 30degrees overnight in southern ontario! i remember going from 10 degrees celcius to minus 20 the next day once!

Buckshot

I'm running the 2nd season on the Toyo Observe G02+ on my wife's Windstar and there a great tire with little increase in audible road noise. For my 2002 TL Type S (215/50R17), last year I mounted Nokian Hakkapillita 2s (215/55R16) on steel rims and they are fantastic. I used the original Nokian Hakkas on my Thunderbird for 4 winters and am sold on them. These are a directional tire with very little increase in road noise and handling remains good. I run 34 PSI (instead of 32). While they are very expensive (I paid $1000 mounted, balanced, taxes incl), when amortized over 4 winters, that's only about $60 more per winter. How much was your last rediculous Canadian fill-up at $.93/liter for premium? Mine was over $50! If you need another recommendation, try Gislaveds as Steelecase Tire in Markham has stopped selling Nokians due to another huge price increase this fall. They now recommend this tire as a premium. I believe that Continental may own the label now.

gurot1

Do the toyo's slip much? I was looking at Nokian, but they are pretty hard to find, especially this late in the game for this winter!

Jim_sir

Just put on a set of Observe Garit KX, 215/55/16 on steel CRV 16" rims with TPMS sensors.
I have found the Garrit KX's much quieter than the Observe 02's I had previously.
The directional response is better than the stock Michelins, I hope that they will wear as well as the Observe 02's.

elkski

I just put on some Mich Pilot PA2 225/55/V17's on the stock 17x8 rims. I hope these will provide good snow traction for the wife? Maybe I should have gone with a more dedicated now tire since I have a spare set of rims with sensors but winter snow comes and goes here so much... I always feel like buying tires is such a choice and no good test data for each car/tire size/snow/ice condition.

gurot1

Jim_sir, how are the new KX's comparing to the go2+ other than noise? Any opportunity to drive through snow yet?

Jim_sir

I found the directional response better than the stock michelins.
The ride is a slightly softer as the tire have a slightly higher profile 55 vs. 45 (approx. 1/2" higher) The feel, ride , and handling have been excellent, I don't feelas if I am driving with snows, much better than the 02's.
Haven't been able to see what they are like in the snow yet (we have not gotten any) yet, it has been abnormally warm so far this season (above freezing) and it doesn't look like we we see any snow until after the new year. (no white Christmas)

A very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to everyone on the forum.

J.M.

elkski

undate on the Mich Pilot PA2 225/55/V17's on the stock 17x8 rims.
We had a real snow test this past Sunday.. about 8" of powder snow on warm ground. The top layer of powder got soft the deeper you went , it was the kind of snow that provides great traction as it fills up the tread and then holds well. THe church parking lot was in use but I was able to drive on some unplowed streets. I was able to go up hill in the full snow depth snow and even go through a plow drift. I was surprised at how hard it was to get the rear end to even think about going around? I am very satisfied that we are now driving on some snow tires instead of suicide slicks. Dry ride is not that poor infact these tires might be better on the skid pad but I'm sure the rubber is wearing faster. a little less steering response due to the 55 vs 45 series.