Snow tires - Winter driving

[Jojo Versa]

Living in Montreal we get 4-5 months of winter, which means you need snow tires if you are using your vehicle. Do any members here live in very snowy areas meaning you get a minimum of 100 + inches (250 cm) of snow per winter, what have you installed for winter tires on your V and how does it handle in the snow, on ice and in the very cold -20° to - 30°.

What brand and size winter tires did you install ?

[vpnavy]

Until someone responds - you might want to check out your Owner's Manual.

It states the following:

Snow tires

If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select tires equivalent in size and load rating to the original equipment tires. If you do not, it can adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.

Generally, snow tires have lower speed ratings than factory equipped tires and may not match the potential maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the tire.

If you install snow tires, they must be the same size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all four wheels.

For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check local, state and provincial laws before installing studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.

[Jojo Versa]

HI VP,

Thanks for the reply, I am aware of that but I would like to install narrower winter tires than the standard factory tires, 40 years of winter driving here thaught me that a bit narrower on snow is always better than the wider factory size which is why i am curious to what others here have installed.

The wider they are the more the car floats and surfs on the snow.

[vpnavy]

HI VP,

Thanks for the reply, I am aware of that but I would like to install narrower winter tires than the standard factory tires, 40 years of winter driving here thaught me that a bit narrower on snow is always better than the wider factory size which is why i am curious to what others here have installed.

The wider they are the more the car floats and surfs on the snow.

Didn't know that (narrower tires). Fortunately, we live in Maryland (about 30 miles Southeast of Washington, DC) and get away with just radials. I use my 4X4 when it gets a little nasty though.

[XterraVersa]

The Versa's tires are skinny enough for the weight of the car. I had no problems this past winter in our unussually snowey winter. 2 blizzards of 20+ inches then week 3-8 inch storms. The Versa handled the snow & ice much better than the Xterra & became my vehicle of choice for commuting on the iced over roads.

The stock tires pick up plenty of de-icing gravel adding free studs.

[Martin Roy]

Jojo, since we share the same weather, I'm interested in knowing what you plan in buying. Snow is not really the issue here, but freezing rain is ! So I won't risk it on four-season.

Also, you are right with the "narrow factor" since it allows to dig deeper in the snow, but as XTerraVersa said, the Continental are skinny enough and it should be hard to find thinner.

[Legacy40k]

I live in Ontario Canada and have snow tires/rims for my Versa, I used them all last winter.

They make a huge difference. The car handles great with snow tires, and with the ABS in combination I never had a problem stopping, accelerating or climbing hills.

As the good year guy said on the commercial. Snow tires are the difference of skates on an ice rink vs running shoes on an ice rink.

[longo]

I am determined to put on a full set of Bridgstone Winter, Revo's with stock Versa steel rims. This will allow me to take them off on my driveway and return the factory mags with the OEM tires, for summer.

A nice set of plastic wheel covers that defy the winter road salt will do fine. Plastic Versa hubcaps sell for about $15.00 ea on eBay.

I have bought the 4 OEM steel Versa rims off the interrnet for 100 U.S. delivered (they are $80.00 ea at your friendly neighborhood Nissan parts counter!)

I am wondering if anyone has gone to a size or so up from the stock 185 65 15's ?

I wouldn't mind moving up to a little taller tire, like a "70" or even "75" if they would not rub on the suspension, or wipe off the fenders.


Modified by longo at 12:57 PM 11/10/2007

[NewToVersa]

Me im from ( Montreal, Québec ) and planning 4x stock size goodyear nordic from Canadian Tires. Had two tires on my previous car and they worked great ( and cheap ).

[Legacy40k]

I live in Ontario, I'm getting my winter rims/tires put back on my car this coming Monday. last winter they worked great. 4 Goodyear winter tires (cant remember the model), same dimensions and rim size as the stock ones.

[Ever Victorious]

If you wouldn't mind, when you get them put on, would you post the appropriate data in the "Official snow tire thread"?

[oliverya]

I am planning to buy four new snow tires for my 08 versa next week or so. I went to Costco yesterday and the guy showed me Michelin X-ICE 185/65R15 88Q which was the only one for versa from Michelin as he said in the store. The price is $135.99 canadians each (plus 14% tax in nova scotia), including installing, balancing, air check, etc, and you will also have $100 rebate after tax. Surprisely this $100 is going to be a instant discount so you dont need to mail in anything more.

Is there anyone using X-ICE tires? The original all season tires are 185/65R15 86H... What's the difference between 86H and 88Q?

[NY.AD.MAN]

What's the difference between 86H and 88Q?

The speed rating

[longo]

Yes it's that time of year again here in the Great White North, time to shop for snow tires, winter survival kits and check to see if your block heater plug in is still somewhere under the hood. Your Cosco winter tire shopping trip sounds familiar. Hardly any selection, and outrageous prices.

I just purchased a great set of 4 Hankook iPike W409's for $49.95 each. All the U.S. Pep Boys had a 'Buy Four and Get the Third one Free' sale. These tires have a similar directional tread pattern as the popular Nordic ice racing tires.

(And while I am on the subject of CDN price gouging, as of yesterday, Dec. 10-07, a 5 quart jug of full syn Castrol oil is $19.97 at Wall Mart in the U.S. and and incredible $39.99 at our local Candian Tire!

My favorite motor oil for my old Dodge Van...Valvoline Max life, was $4.99 CDN a liter, and in the U.S. at 'Checkers' I bought a case for .99 cents a guart.)

User reviews claim the Hankooks to be the best snow tire on the road for their modest price, and outlast the Michellins 2 to 3 times longer on dry pavement.

The final CDN price rip off reminder was an e-mail from a big Nissan Dealer in Dallas Texas recently that was offering a year end discount of $2,000 off, including free oil changes on a new Versa SL .

[WDRacing]

I was just talking with a BFG rep the other day about snow tires for my SUV. I personally prefer the All Terrain tire for winter. They are louder during ALL driving conditions but they also handle ALL weather very well. To include driving through mud and snow and the occasional off road excursion. Not that I'm suggesting the Versa be driven off road. But if you end up in the Median, they will be able to get you back on the road.

The BFG guy said that most all terrain tires available, even non BFG brands have a high enough speed rating for cross country driving at highway speeds.

Since the Versa isn't a race car, I doubt there will be an issue with speed rating. AND since the AT's are usualy on SUVs etc, the load rating should be more then enough for a fully loaded Versa.

Just my .02

Probably my tire choice for a passenger car, BFG Winter Slalom

[Ever Victorious]

Since the Versa isn't a race car, I doubt there will be an issue with speed rating. AND since the AT's are usualy on SUVs etc, the load rating should be more then enough for a fully loaded Versa.

You weren't here yet for the conversation about not driving over 100 MPH because your TPMS sensors freak out.

Edit: Here's a picture of the tires that Longo and I have (although mine do NOT have the optional studs):

[WDRacing]

HAHAHA...really? Damn, can you wire in a toggle switch for the occasional spirited blast down the highway?

I obviously need to read up on those.

[NewToVersa]

To WDRacing. I had those tires on a previous car. They are good on snow and deep snow, quiet. Anything else they suck ( slush, ice, heavy rain )...

[WDRacing]

To WDRacing. I had those tires on a previous car. They are good on snow and deep snow, quiet. Anything else they suck ( slush, ice, heavy rain )...

I wouldn't use those myself, I'd use AT's...lol. But most people won't use those on a sedan

[gotak]

You weren't here yet for the conversation about not driving over 100 MPH because your TPMS sensors freak out.

Edit: Here's a picture of the tires that Longo and I have (although mine do NOT have the optional studs):

Looks like a Gislaved Nord*Frost copy....

[Ever Victorious]

HAHAHA...really? Damn, can you wire in a toggle switch for the occasional spirited blast down the highway?

I obviously need to read up on those.

We couldn't pin it on any one factor, but these people were driving 100+ MPH in the desert with stock Contis and the TPMS system. We figure that the excessive heat was causing a pressure increase to the point that the TPMS system threw a code... in the OPPOSITE direction of what their originally intended design was for.

Probably a good thing to have them flash when you're going that fast. Though the Contis are SUPPOSEDLY H-rated, I wouldn't trust them past 80 MPH.

And no, you cannot disable the TPMS system. The system was designed to comply with federal 2008 safety standards, which specifically says the system can not have an override or disable built into it.