Winter is almost here for some of us, which tires?

[JOE MAMA]

Meh, I don't think I'm going to buy snow tires. I've lived in Minnesota my whole life and never really needed them. Do they really make that big of a difference?

Its a huge difference - its really night and day! Besides, whether you buy 2 sets of all season tires in a 5 year period lets say or run all seasons and winters over the same period its a wash cost wise.

I live in an area that doesn't see nearly as much snow as MN and we run winter tires on both of our vehicles. All season tires aren't designed for snow and cold temperatures. Winter tires out perform all seasons by far, especially when driving in snow and icy conditions.

 

[ElZoom]

After all was said and reading the issues with non-stock tire sizes I decided to stay stock and get Yokohoma IG 20's....I hope they work out.....Im very surprised at the lack of stock sized tires for the 2......My first choice were studded General Artics.......

 

[Joker2]

Nokian and General and Michelin etc...
Quite a few choices.
My faves were the Nokians and the Michelin and the Stones.
Anyway, I could not get the Nokians in my size, I oversized and goofed (see my other posts/rants). I then exchanged those for some Exaltos for my DGF's car and went with Xice2s in the OEM size. So far I am quite happy.

 

[joshb003]

We got our first snow last weekend, did anyone else? I still have the stock tires on the car and I definitely had some trouble getting around, and the snow wasn't even that bad! I noticed that the ABS is very responsive, but that crunching sound it makes when active is sickening! I also noticed that light with the car/squiggly lines comes on all the time lol it must have a really good sensor for loss of traction.

Overall, I think I've decided to buy snow tires.

 

[fam]

damnit...not what i wanted to hear ;-)

 

[XCLR8TN]

Me either LOL

 

[fam]

other than going over a massive high level bridge most of my commute is in a straight line and flat...so I will see how bad these stupid tires are...may resort to weighing the car down with crap on snow days as well. I have way too many autox aspirational costs to think about a set of wheels and snow tires...so my goal will be to deal this year and get some good all seasons next fall.

 

[DrWebster]

My experience is the opposite of joshb's -- I was rather surprised at how well the factory tires handled our snowstorm this weekend. Nowhere near as good as our 3 with snow tires, but still decent. I'll make do with them this winter.

 

[MazdaTwo]

My experience is the opposite of joshb's -- I was rather surprised at how well the factory tires handled our snowstorm this weekend. Nowhere near as good as our 3 with snow tires, but still decent. I'll make do with them this winter.

+1

I feel that most of the snow driving issues I had were vehicle weight related to snow depth... not so much traction. I would say the tires are great... but they certainly got me through a pretty snowy winter in MD last winter.

 

[Joker2]

Update on Michelin xIce xi2 185/55-15 MPG: 36.5 Highway 40-80 mph Somewhat hilly from Johnson City NY to NYC NY over Route 17 via Bear Mountain bridge Route 2, down the Saw Mill. About 600 miles on them so Good Bye Mold Release and just upped the pressures to 35 up front and 33 for the back end. Really good tires. I have not taken them to the limit but will next weekend. I have to know when they start sliding how the car feels.

 

[XCLR8TN]

I've ordered the Blizzak WS-60 in a 175/55/15 for the OEM rims, I'll update once the snow hits... I'm going to attempt to not mount them until it snows

(I wish tirerack had a cheap steelie package option for us!)

 

[fam]

I think the 14" has steelie options on tire rack

 

[omer_yildir]

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My 2 with winter tyres, 185-55-15.

 

[XCLR8TN]

I think the 14" has steelie options on tire rack

I tried both sizes and it only allowed me to pick aluminum . I really like the way the black steelies look I'm jealous!

 

[fam]

Me too...its kind of like an "all business" look.

 

[genericmoniker]

14's fit. Ask me how I know. I actually had a set of OEM honda steelies sitting in my garage. Tried them on, they fit decently enough, but there was almost zero clearance. The ones I eventually ended up getting don't have much either, but I don't notice any rubbing so I guess it's fine.

 

[XCLR8TN]

I would say SOME 14s fit. Not all steelie designs (or aluminum wheels for that matter) have the same amount of clearance. I know for a fact that 14" "daisy" rims off NA Miatas need a spacer to clear the caliper bracket in the front of the 2.

 

[genericmoniker]

Quite the same point as saying some 15s fit. Offset, width etc etc etc. What I'm saying is it's possible to drop down to 14.

 

[Joker2]

Update on Michelin xIce xi2

As you know, I got these tires to fit my OEM 15" steel wheels for my Mazda2 Sport;
Since I got them, here is my feedback:

• Just as good as OEMs in cold dry weather
• Maybe better than OEM Yokos on cold days
• Really good in snow, yet nothing over 2 inches (maybe the Pilot Exaltos are better so far, My DGF is rolling on those)
• If you live in an area where 2" of snow is all you see and minimal icing, then the Pilot Exaltos should be a better choice
• I still have a few months of winter ahead including some NH, VT, NY, CT driving ahead so I will update once I hit more than an inch of powder

Much better grip under 40F than the Yoko Advans, as expected.

YMMV