Snows &/ or all weather tire recommendation

T

tomboger

Member
I recently bought a '06 MX5 Grand Touring and am seeking some advice on winter tires. Currently have Michelin Pilot going threadbare and need traction for minimal snow driving conditions. Retired don't need to get to work etc.. Just don't want to get stuck.
Would a veteran Miata driver advise me on pros and cons of snows or all weather tires. Did some research, choices are as follows:

Michelin X ice xi2 $120- best snow tire
General Altimax Arctic $67- adequate snow
or
Michelin Pilot A/S plus- $175- superior all weather

Also some sites recommend mounting snows on a smaller rim, 16", with a lower profile tire, 205 60 r 16. Does anyone have any experience driving with minus size or any of these or other tires, or offer any suggestions?
Thanks in advance........................T
 
get a 2nd set of wheels and make them dedicated snow tires, and see how much blizzaks cost.
 
Snows

Thanks for the advice. I had read reviews on snows and Blizzaks are good but rate below Michelins for road handling and noise. Meantime I'm headed to the junk yard to check for some cheap 17" rims
 
i just drove 6 hours (which took me 3.5 hrs to get there) back home in General Altimax Arctic tires, and i would say that they probably saved my life quite a few times.

i was able to go 55 on the hwy passing people going around 20 or 30, these tires are quite amazing, esp for the price!

on the country back roads where no plows had gone, i would stay in 4th gear around 40-45 mph, with about 2-3" of snow on the roads...

on the dry roads going 75, i noticed no tire noise either...but my exhaust is pretty loud too :p

now this is with all 4 snow tires and a fwd car... don't know exactly how it would be for rwd, but i'm sure a lot better!

remember to check for alignment too when you have the tires put on!
 
if you can get 16" or even 15" rims (if it clears the calipers) it's so much better for snow traction. And narrow down your tire too...Ex. Summer tires and wheels 215/45ZR17 17x7.5. Winter tires and wheels 195/65R15 15x6 or 205/60R16 16x7. you can even get narrower tires and wheels if you want.

For my protege I use 215/45ZR16 tires on stock rims for summer and 185/70R14 tires on 14x5.5 rims for winter.
 
thats a lot of wheel for the tire width you're talking... I'm running a factory sized 17" snows this year.. I ran 195/55/R15 on my MSP last year and HATED it.
 
Wagonbacker9 said:
thats a lot of wheel for the tire width you're talking... I'm running a factory sized 17" snows this year.. I ran 195/55/R15 on my MSP last year and HATED it.
Click to expand...

Too much grip? :P

narrower tire and higher sidewalls = better snow traction while moving forward and when turning.

We have at least 10 feet of snow each year, along with rain and icy roads, everything. I've been driving cars for about 9 years now and i always had good snow and ice tires (michelins) and narrow tires with higher sidewall (smaller rims, hence bigger sidewalls to compensate)
 
section width I might agree with (I think it is HIGHLY condition dependant)... but as for taller side walls... I can't see how that would be better. I HATED how squirmy they were... be it slush, snow, or dry pavement.. I didn't feel like I had the stability I did on my 17's.
 
We just got about 24" of snow in Maryland about two weeks ago. I drove in it with my MS3 just fine. I have Goodyear Eagle GTs that are about 2 months old. I drove in both powder and packed snow. Other than the ride being VERY rough in the packed snow, it was fine. I highly recommend these tires for year round performance.
 
I hope never to have to use an all season off of a 4x4 again. with 4by.. I'm not so worried. my gf's cherokee handles packed snow just fine.
 
general altimax's are a fine snow tire.. priced better than nearly any other snow tire out there.. I am giving Continental's a shot, because the altimax wasn't available in my tire size... and I'm matching em with a continental on the rear. it was price competitive with the next cheapest tire.. so I figured what the hell.
 
Wagonbacker9 said:
section width I might agree with (I think it is HIGHLY condition dependant)... but as for taller side walls... I can't see how that would be better. I HATED how squirmy they were... be it slush, snow, or dry pavement.. I didn't feel like I had the stability I did on my 17's.
Click to expand...



Higher side means more traction when car is sideways, in mud or snow. Try having traction with 3" sidewalls. The TIRE gives you traction, not the wheel. And it absorbs bumps and road rash better! I don't know what the winter looks like in your part of country, but here it's like war. We had a big snowstorm 2 years ago (2 feet of snow in less than 24h) And I saw lots of big 4x4 (like infinity fx and bmw x5, just to name them) rolling on 20", and getting stuck in like 1/2 foot of snow, while I just passed them with my 2wd...

I agree with you, on dry pavement or in rain, my 14" wheels stabilty is worse than with my 16" wheels. But oh so great in 1/2 foot deep snow!!!
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

New Posts and Comments

U
2008 CX-9 Grand Touring Key Fob Question
Replies
0
Views
1
unforgiven
U
P
Changing Instrument Cluster Language to Polish
Replies
2
Views
114
ponsik
P
I
Hard wear on edge of tire
Replies
6
Views
157
docKiwi75
D
X
  • Question Question
About to get a Mazda Portege 5!
Replies
0
Views
47
Xavjr._
X
M
    • Like
  • Question Question
Aftermarket Headunit Options that do it all?
Replies
9
Views
1K
kpoon
K
K
ATOTO A6PF 7" Android Double DIN Head Unit with Backup Camera Installed
Replies
0
Views
70
kpoon
K
View more…

New Threads and Articles

Back