I currently use Michelin x-ice on my cars and have been happy with their traction. The terrain here is flat to moderate slope but we be in the snow-belt.
So what are you using and do you like them? Also, how much should mounting and balancing cost?
Thanks in advance...
Size? What vehicle?
On my last two cars I put Nokian WRG3 tires. While they have a snow rating they are also OK to use year round. They were designed for North America. There were great in New England and a couple of hills I had to cross.
Don't recall the price but competitive with other brands.I'm thinking is was in the $800 range for four complete.
If you can find them I was very satisfied with Nokian Hakkapeliittas. The Finns know a thing or two about snow. I'm currently running studded Kumhos and they get the job done too. They're noisy but that's what you get with an aggressive tread and studs. The temperatures here tend to hover around 32, warm enough in the daytime to melt, and cold enough at night to freeze so icy roads are a fact of life.
In many areas, alas, studded tires (well, "real" studs) are a heavy duty no no and can lead to huge fines and other problems.
I run Kenda Klever AT's year round here . They're pretty quiet for an aggressive tread pattern . We're a no-stud state , so I carry chains for the front wheels just in case I get caught out in an ice storm .
I'm in a very hilly part of NJ. Front wheel drive and regular radials. That's it. I don't get stuck in the snow and can get up and down the hills fine.
In this state they are permitted from October 1 - May 31. I have a mounted set and swap them out Thanksgiving weekend. I play it by ear in the spring but it's sometime in March or early April. The valley is dry and dusty by then but the roads to some of the trailheads can be iffy.
For that matter the trails are also iffy. I always have a pair of Yaktrax on hand this time of year or EnergeticSky spikes if it really sucks.
I've hung enough iron I never want to see a set of chains again :)
Nokian Hakkepillita R3 on the Sorento and the Ranger
Being an OTRT I can understand that . My chains have been mounted exactly one time - a couple of days after they arrived so I knew how to put them on . If they NEVER come out of the box again I'll be happy . And if they do , I'll be glad I've got 'em .
On Wed, 30 Dec 2020 22:07:51 -0700, rbowman posted for all of us to digest...
+1 I would also like to never to see snow or ice again...
When you live around N 47.0000 snow and ice is a given. otoh, the climate discourages the parasites one finds in the southern areas.
We don't have snow-choked passes here on the southern edge of The Ozark Plateau ... but we do have ice storms from time to time . Get a freezing rain after a few days of sub-freezing temps and you have a recipe for slick so slick you can't stand up on it . Roads here are hilly and winding enough that I won't drive on that unless I absolutely have to even with chains .
The R3 is just the newer model - slight change in tread pattern and possibly a tweak to the compound
The Haks will move and stop on ice you can't walk on - and without studs.
But how are they on dry roads as regards wear ? Up here they seal/chip with crushed limestone , pretty sharp stone and tire wear could be better . I can't justify the cost of a set of tires that might be needed for a couple of days every 2 or 3 years .
I run Hankook Dynopro truck tires. Sp? Love them. I will not be stuck.
Xterra 2004 59,000 miles
Better than 80% of my winter driving is on "dry" pavement (roads that have been plowed) -but when you need snow tires you NEED GOOD ONES. I've got 8 seasons on the ones on the truck - likely replace them next year even though they still havereasonable tread left.
On Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:49:13 -0700, rbowman posted for all of us to digest...
True. I could be anywhere and still find something to grip about...
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