Rogue S all season radials

[ironwood]

First post, but don't know why I haven't joined the forum earlier as I've had four consecutive Nissan vehicles. I am very close to an offer on a 2011 Rogue S. Wish I could afford the SV or SL AWD but I can't. Waiting on dealer confirmation on sourcing of requested colour. The S comes with Continental 4 x 4 P215/70 R16's, all seasons rated M + S. I live in snow country in central Ontario and have used four winter tires on both our vehicles for years, with the exception of my former 2000 Pathfinder, on which I managed to get away with the agressive all season tread in winter. We probably have 2 months of winter left and I wonder if I can run the front wheel drive Rogue on new all season Continentals for the rest of the season so I don't have to outlay for new winter tires until next winter is upon us. Any thoughts as to whether I could get through the rest of the winter on new radials, or am I just kidding myself?

[kerrton]

In my opinion (this is my personal opinion, and is not a recommendation for others, everyone must make their own decision on this issue):

While winter tires are always the best option, I personally would be very comfortable running in winter conditions with your new all-seasons. You'll have lots of tread and the rubber will be relatively soft because the tires are new.

I have a Rogue FWD and am running my third winter on the orginal all-seasons and this car continues to handle great in very cold winters with tons of snow (Alberta, Canada) in a town that doesn't plow very quickly or extensively. Again, I totally agree that winter tires are your best option, but for me I feel that much of life is about risk assessment and determining what level of risk you are comfortable with. For me, a good set of all-seasons is acceptable considering I compensate for lack of winter tires by avoiding the fresh deep snowfalls and extreme cold days (I leave the car at home) driving very conservatively and leaving a lot of space between me and all other vehicles, I feel confident in my winter driving judgement and skills. I also stick to short in-town trips and don't venture out on to the highway unless the roads are completely clear. If I were in a situation where I was forced on to highway/freeways in winter I would definately get winter tires, and on really extreme winter days in town I always have the option to leave the car at home and take the bus, catch a ride or tax a cab.

The decision regarding your specific situation is up to you, whatever you choose just make sure you drive extremely carefully and take your time!

[ironwood]

Kerrton...appreciate your thoughts. I know snows would be better, and if I can get the Rogue S I want, I'll buy winter tires next season. And there is always my wife's Sentra on four snows for a wintery days when travelling together. When I go back to my dealer, I'm going to see if they have a Rogue S demo on all season radials I can take out, but I think there were only two and the one I tried was an AWD that had snows, so I'm not hopeful.

[philipa_240sx]

Any thoughts as to whether I could get through the rest of the winter on new radials, or am I just kidding myself?

Ironwood, I bought my Rogue SL FWD in Feb 2008 and did exactly that... I ran my all seasons for the couple of months of winter that was left. It's not ideal, but you can manage. The Rogue's VDC and traction control really help to overcome the reduced traction of an all-season tire.

But as you are well aware, nothing replaces a dedicated winter tire. Personally, I would be lost without my winter tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta).

[ironwood]

I'm ready to make my move for a Rogue this coming week to take advantage of the January incentives, namely 3 payments on us and $500 factory bonus discount. I'm going to stretch the budget a little and go for either the S AWD or the SV FWD, which are essentially the same price. My dilema is what is more important to me...the base model with AWD or the mid level FWD with a few goodies like alloy wheels, heated seats and audio display. Some advice would be appreciated. I live in snow country north of Toronto. Can I get through winter with all season radials with AWD? I drove my former 2000 Pathfinder with it's all seasons in winter, but the tread was more aggressive than the Rogue's. The S model comes with P215/70R 16 all seasons....I have a set of P215/60R 16 winter tires that are 5 winters old but with lots of tread life left...could I run those on the S model for the remainder of this winter and perhaps next, to defray the cost of winter tires another year or so?

[philipa_240sx]

Some advice would be appreciated. I live in snow country north of Toronto. Can I get through winter with all season radials with AWD?

Like I said before, you could likely get away with it. There is only 2-3 months of winter left. Heck, I drove 2 months through the winter of 2008 with all seasons on my FWD Rogue... that was a lot of snow! I live in southwest Ontario BTW.

I am still a big advocate of winter tires though. Regardless if it's FWD, AWD or 4WD

I have a set of P215/60R 16 winter tires that are 5 winters old but with lots of tread life left...could I run those on the S model for the remainder of this winter and perhaps next, to defray the cost of winter tires another year or so?

Those tires are too small in diameter, I wouldn't recommend it.

If the rims are from another 5 bolt Nissan (Altima, Maxima, Quest), keep them for next winter when you get new tires as they will fit the Rogue perfectly.

[Pescakl1]

....I have a set of P215/60R 16 winter tires that are 5 winters old but with lots of tread life left...could I run those on the S model for the remainder of this winter and perhaps next, to defray the cost of winter tires another year or so?

These tires are too old. After 5 years, they have lost their elasticity and are even harder than new all season tires.
You will get a false sense of safety until the first corner.
You can ask me how I know that if you want to hear a nice little winter story .

[ironwood]

Thanks all for your input. Pulled into our local liquor store on my way home this evening, and parked right beside a 2010 Rogue S AWD, the same model I may deal for this week. It had 4 snows! I asked the driver if she felt she could have gotten by on the OEM all season radials and she said up here ya gotta have snows! I wouldn't want to pay for AWD only to find out I need to buy a set of winter tires as well. I'm going to have to take the dealer AWD demo out again which is running on all seasons, and put it through it's paces on a few snowy side streets.

[philipa_240sx]

I'm going to have to take the dealer AWD demo out again which is running on all seasons, and put it through it's paces on a few snowy side streets.

Great Idea!