Official snow tire thread - Start of winter

[Ever Victorious]

This thread is for posting information about winter tires and winter conditions.

Please post the following information:

Model of winter tire?Size of winter tire?Studded?How many seasons have these tires been used?

Brief descripton of normal winter weather conditions in your area.

Brief description of planned use of the tires.

Please do NOT post information on previous performance of tires during the winter, please do NOT post miscellaneous banter in this thread. At the end of winter, we will create another post to update with information on actual experiences with the tires, and actual weather conditions experienced during the winter.

I will start.

[Ever Victorious]

Model of winter tire? Hankook Winter I-pike W409Size of winter tire? 185/65/15Studded? They can be studded, but mine are not.How many seasons have these tires been used? None, tires are brand new

Brief descripton of normal winter weather conditions in your area: Mostly near freezing temperatures, some ice and occasionally 2-4 inches of snow.

Brief description of planned use of the tires: General winter use, plus a few trips over local passes (significant snow and compact ice from late November to March) to visit relatives on the other side of the state. Possible sleet/freezing rain exists where the relatives live.

[Vahagn23]

Im going to use the stocks , it says they are all season tires so it should be good, lol is continental a good company anyways?

lately havent seen much snow around here, though it should be packed with it

[Ever Victorious]

Im going to use the stocks , it says they are all season tires so it should be good, lol is continental a good company anyways?

Some people like them, but the majority of us don't like them, we feel they are inferior tires.

So much for no banter... *sigh*

[longo]

Sorry for more 'banter' EV'

I noticed that you are going to run the "Hankook Winter I-pike W409's this winter, from what I have seen and read about them, they should be great. The tread has a 'running V' pattern in the center that should help with slush and rain, and the outside lugs looks like serious little snow shovels.

I have been running a set of 4 cheap $50 ea Wal Mart winter tires on my old Dodge Caravan for the past 3 winters in Alberta, (we know snow) and with them on it takes on winter conditions like a snow-mobile.

With this experience of added stopping power and traction I want the same saftey with the Versa...the other benifit of 4 winter snows' is often never mentioned, that is a nice soft ride on bad pavement.

I am hoping to find a little taller winter tire for the Versa...nothing extreme, just up from the 185 to a 205 65 15.

end of 'banter'.
Modified by longo at 7:12 PM 11/14/2007

[NewToVersa]

Why do you want a taller tire? Dont tell me you find the stock size sporty ( thin ). Nissan should have an optional 16inch mag wheel and stock 15in steel wheel.

[gottafly]

Last winter, I got a set of Dunlop Graspic DS-2's like these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...+DS-2

Got them in the same size as the stock all seasons, and they are not studded or studdable. Anyhow, they don't allow studs (on tires that is) here in Ontario.

Weather around here can get as cold as about minus 25 C (-13 F), we usually get a few feet worth of snow, and the shoulders of winter can be pretty wet and slushy.

My wife, who drives the V mostly, is a community nurse, so she drives around the region all day and needs to be able to get around regardless of weather and be safe while doing it.

Very satisfied with them so far, and got them for something like $85 per at Walmart.
Modified by gottafly at 11:09 AM 11/12/2007

[Mutsy]

General Altimax Arctic (aka Gislaved Nord Frost 3)http://www.generaltire.com/gen....html

185-65-15

Non studded but studdable

Winter conditions in Quebec can change a lot in short period: Snow (light and heavy), ice, freezing rain, slush, very low temparature.

[bikeman]

Even though we're the snowiest city in the lower 48, I'll be using the stock Conti's. If it doesn't work out, I'll let ya know.

David

[longo]

I have been checking the other options for a slightly taller tire, in the same 185 width, because I firmly belive from experience, that a narrow winter tire , cuts through snow much easier than a wider one..., 215 for example.

The other thing that I noticed about the Versa last winter, was there is a tendency for the car wheel wells to really pack up fast with frozen snow. The wheel compartments are full of little nooks and crannies that hold on to the snow and won't let go. I always have to clean the accumulated snow off the V' each time it rolls onto the driveway, from even short winter trips down town. Large, packed chunks of snow hang on the fender well behind each tire, and those are the Veras OEM 'all season (except winter) tires.

A wider M&S tire than the 185 would pick up even more, plus sandblasting the body on every turn, from all the road salt and sand they use here for 5 months of the year.

But, "NEWTOVERSA," you are right about the OEM 185 65 15's not being "Sporty" but Sporty can get you killed in the winter conditions around here.


Modified by longo at 11:28 AM 11/15/2007

[Ever Victorious]

Bump for those that are new, those that missed it, or those that just got snow recently.

[marleyfan]

I'll be staying with the OEM tires again this winter. They served me well last winter and got me through the conditions we get here in the Vancouver area. Hopefully with a year of treadwear now on them they will continue to be as good. If not I'll probably get a set of Kuhmos like I have on the wife's Vibe. Not sure which ones they are but they have served us well for 2 seasons now.

[AG]

Michelin X-Ice215-60-15Not studdedOntario, Canada -> snow,snow,snow1st season

[loyd87]

WinterForce185/65/152nd season

Really great!

Good in snow and Ice but a little bit better in Ice condition

[mosquito_R]

Hi all, this is my first post here. Thanks, members, for your input because this forum helped me decide on the purchase of a Versa SL CVT hatch.

I have a quick problem re: winter tires. Will 14" wheels fit? Specifially, I have a set of Hyundai Accent (1997) wheels (4x114.3mm / HPO / 12x1.5 Lug-nut / 67.10mm Bore) and would like to run 185/70R14.

Do you all have any comments on this?

Thanks!

[Ever Victorious]

I don't think anyone's tried it yet. Your biggest problem point is going to be fitting it over the front calipers.. No way to know unless you try. Obviously, try BEFORE you buy tires for those rims.

Alternatively, most tire shops carry generic steel rims for carrying winter tires... 15" rims shouldn't be more than 25 or 30 dollars a piece.

[mosquito_R]

Thanks, EV for your answer. I'll give it a go with a fit test prior to purchase. I just wanted to make good use of a set of rims I have kicking around, that's all. I do know that brake caliper clearance in the front might be a problem though.

I'm picking up the car tomorrow night and will try the fit test the day after. I'll post some results soon.

cheers,Mosquito_R

[frankoV]

Funny thing: I left the OEMs on and didn't have a problem through our snow and ice [but I'm getting winter's for next season anyway]

[KKaWing]

The versa has the exact offset bolt pattern and tire size to the volvo s40. One huge difference is caliper size and the kicker, which ended up costing me is: the center hub size is much bigger. I use the over priced oem steels right now.

[mosquito_R]

Just got snow tires for my Versa!

Tires: Nexen Euro Win 650Size: 185/65R15Rims: 15"x6"(?) take off wheels from Sentra (these could be 5.5")

Put these on just in time for the crazy snow dump that Calgary got. The car's still less than 1000km on the clock and the OEM alloys and tires are now put away.

Most people think I'm crazy putting winter tires this late in the season but given the crazy weather, I got no choice.

BTW, I never do the winter tire changeover to summers until Victoria Day long weekend.