i think i need snow tires

[blacktalon13]

i love my new 08 mazda5... but the dumb factory toyo tires SUCKS in the snow... we got dump with a LOT of snow today... i NEARLY got into an accident because some dumb dumb decided to change lane right beside me.. i swear i miss him by no more than half a foot... i pull over to change if i actually got hit because the guy took off ASAP without even stopping to see if there's any damage to the car. luckily he didn't touch me.. or else i'll be chasing him down.

and when i got home.. try pulling into the driveway den realize the snow is a tad too deep.. car stopped and couldn't move again.. took me about an hour to dig the car out of the snow.. luckily my neighbor saw me and start helping me push the car up... hopefully i didn't wreck my tranny. rev it up pretty high to get into my dumb long uphilll driveway... my baby only got 1700km on it.. i just pick it up about a month ago. god damn it...

alrite.. enough venting for now...

so my point is.. i think i should get snow tires soon... i don't want this kind of things happening often... (smash)

[coolmazda5]

Sorry to hear that, but if its of any relief, the OEM Toyo tires suck bad on any weather (rain is a good example). I'm just waiting for them to wear-off to kiss them goodbye. The fellow Canadians and further north (East, Central, West) US folks can offer good advice on tires. In the meanwhile, I'm just more careful when bad weather shows up (rain, sleet, snow)...

[blacktalon13]

i'm a very defensive driver during bad weather.. but there's just SOOOO much idoits on the road.. like that guy today.. changing lane when i'm RIGHT beside him.. it's like he didn't even look.. stuff like that i can not avoid...

my tires has 1700km on it.. still a long way to go for me.. i miss my old bridgestone pontenza tires.. they are good in the rain and snow. RE92.. very good tires.. but a bit expensive.. i used to work for bridgestone.. used to get employee discount... maybe i should go back to work there just to get tires.. hahahaha

[Zoom5Zoom]

i love my new 08 mazda5... but the dumb factory toyo tires SUCKS in the snow... we got dump with a LOT of snow today... i NEARLY got into an accident because some dumb dumb decided to change lane right beside me.. i swear i miss him by no more than half a foot... i pull over to change if i actually got hit because the guy took off ASAP without even stopping to see if there's any damage to the car. luckily he didn't touch me.. or else i'll be chasing him down.

and when i got home.. try pulling into the driveway den realize the snow is a tad too deep.. car stopped and couldn't move again.. took me about an hour to dig the car out of the snow.. luckily my neighbor saw me and start helping me push the car up... hopefully i didn't wreck my tranny. rev it up pretty high to get into my dumb long uphilll driveway... my baby only got 1700km on it.. i just pick it up about a month ago. god damn it...

alrite.. enough venting for now...

so my point is.. i think i should get snow tires soon... i don't want this kind of things happening often... (smash)

FYI to help you out of a bad spot with an automatic tranny put the shifter into Manual Mode and shift to 2nd Gear and then go... it should help..
Get winters well worth it specially for the safety factor.

[skyhawk]

I got our winter tires from mzda dealership. Winter tires and steel wheels. Because the cost was a factor (4 winter tires + 4 steelies), I went for the not-so-popular-yet and cheaper hankook. Although they have also the higher end winter tire brands. So, I'm stuck with the not so great OEM Toyo tire and hankook winter tires. It will take years before they wear out.

[joeboy]

If I didn't have snows....I'd be in big trouble!!

[skyhawk]

If I didn't have snows....I'd be in big trouble!!
I've always wondered. Should we put hubcaps (wheel covers) on winter tires or not. Which one would look better? Without covers, other drivers know at a glance that you have winter tires -- and it gives an image of 'that driver is cool and responsible '. On the other hand, plastic wheel covers at walmart can be very cheap.

[blacktalon13]

If I didn't have snows....I'd be in big trouble!!

r u in toronto too?

[joeboy]

Close...Peterborough. There was 12" on my car this morning! SNOW DAY!!!

[daan]

I've had 2 different sets of Nokian snow tires, they were expensive but unstoppable in the snow even in my light Miata. The first set lasted so long, they dry-rotted before they wore down. My wife's vehicle had "Firestone Winterforce" brand snows, those were a lot cheaper and worked pretty well. Again, on a car lighter than the 5 so no matter what snows you get they should work light-years better than the crappy OEM tires 5's come with. THe theory is that narrower, taller snow tires (compared to the steamroller 17"s) will work better. Getting 16" steelies and just swapping wheels every fall will be better (and cheaper) than having 17" snows mounted on your current wheels. Also this late in the winter season you may have some trouble getting your first choice in tires but you may also score a smokin' "end of season" deal so check around. I personally get all my tires from http://www.tirerack.com because they have the best customer service of any internet sales I've dealt with. Good luck!

[SparkyBhoy]

We are heading to the BC interior this weekend, and I didn't fancy tackling the Coquihalla on the OEM tires. Cost is an issue at present, so I got a set of steel rims and some no-name winter tires through a buddy of mine (figuring that 'a' set of winters have got to be better than nothing).

We have had some snow here in the Lower Mainland this past week (stop snickering at the back you lot) so I figured it best to get a set.

The 5 is not my drive, but Mrs. Sparkybhoys, however I'll be the one doing the driving this weekend, so I took it out last night to a snowy slush covered parking lot for a spin. Only thing is...it didn't (spin that is).

I was quite impressed by the stopping/picking away, and, although it sounds like you are driving a tank when it's on pavement, I was pleasantly surprised by the difference in grip.

Mrs. Sparkybhoy was almost in tears when she seen the black steelies, but, with the steelies and the roof bars on, I think that it looks like a car you could take up the mountains!

Say no to wheel trims.

Oh, she became less vocal when I pointed out that she didn't have to try so hard to make her nice OEM alloys look unique by etching on her own curb rash...

[Raymo853]

You should never do the revving for long when stuck. The tires can easily overheat, be damaged or blow out. Yea it is cold, but the tire is only be exposed to a little ground, not lots of heat hungry ground and air.

[barryWest]

I've always wondered. Should we put hubcaps (wheel covers) on winter tires or not. Which one would look better? Without covers, other drivers know at a glance that you have winter tires -- and it gives an image of 'that driver is cool and responsible '. On the other hand, plastic wheel covers at walmart can be very cheap.

Someone once told me that putting on wheel covers helps keep the water/salt off your rim and thus reduces the rust; not sure what truth there is to that and how much it matters.
Personally I don't mind the look of the black winter rims, I much prefer that over the look of the el-cheapo wheel covers. I've got a set of cheapie walmart covers on our second car and when one started to wobble off this winter, it pretty much shattered when I tried to bump it back on (that's what happens in -20 degree weather anyway :))

[Esprit]

I have my snow tire put in right away after I pick up my MZ5 on Jan. Snow tire always give you better drive not only on snow also when it come down to low temperture like below -10c. If you don't want to pay a big price on 17" winter tire, You can always go to 16" and use 205/55/16 winter tire.
I bought my steel wheels from Walmart about CAD$56 each. I know Costco ask for only CAD$38 each but they are out of stock and not going to have it again until next winter. I did try Tirecraft but they want CAD$98 each.
Winter tire I bought all 4 from Costco and about CAD$780 all included. The tire is Michelin X-Ice. Very good winter tire, nice handling and not too noisey.

[blacktalon13]

17" michelin X-ice?

i think i'm gonna go back to my old work place and see if they can give me a good deal on some bridgestone blizzards.. those are damn good winter tires. but they wear down so quickly.

thanks for all the info guys. mazda 5 people r the best kind of ppl

[Stormtrooper77]

For winter/snow, the cheapest winter tires are significantly better than the best all-seasons. As far as I'm concerned, all-seasons are still summer tires.

[mrbwa1]

I'd hate to drive the 5 on A/S Radials in the snow. In fact, we only had the summer rims on for about 3 weeks after getting our 5! There is a pretty good thread in the Tires section about snows, but I'll give my short version. We got a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on 16" rims for tirerack.com. We could not have survived this winter without them!

In all honesty, I see no reason to put on 17" rims and snow tires. I've ALWAYS had extra rims for snow tires, as the slight added expense is much nicer than mounting and un-mounting every spring/fall. Also, if you slide into a curb, there always an extra summer rim to limp by. Unfortunately, I have bent several rims in the winter, 1 from a curb and 2 from potholes.

Buy some snows and don't look back! The 5 is a great snow car with he right equipment.

[qddave]

We got our snows put on the day after we picked up our 5 back in mid Jan. We went with 205/55/16 Blizzak WS-60's on steelies, no wheel covers. Looks ghetto on a white 5, but oh so functional. The manual mode is awesome in the snow too. I agree, there is no substitute for snows. I frequently leave people in the (snow) dust at intersections.

[mrbwa1]

The steelies don't particularly look bad... just weird. It reminds my of the cars on a transporter waiting to be delivered to the car lot. The don't add the wheel covers until they get to the destination. The steelies also make the 5 look a lot like a Matrix/Vibe missing it's wheel covers
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/2179272321_6aa4634d6c.jpg

I also noticed that the Steelies seem to pack a lot of snow up into the brakes, making for a very loud squeek when first reversing out of the garage.

[Esprit]

I did 16" X-ice from Costco with the steel wheels from Walmart.

[blacktalon13]

your name is eddie right? esprit

i don't like u man.. u don't have to pay PST.. why must i live in ontario!!!

i'll check out costco.. see if they have any x-ice for cheap.

[Esprit]

Well, hehe!!
yes I am Ed.
If you need to look for the steel wheel, Costco may don't show MZ5 2008. Just ask for 16" MZ3 2006 or 07. Same as Walmart.
When I bought my X-Ice, Costco were CAD$60 off if you buy 4 tires.
Another good things to know for everyone is, if you are buying new tire, always check the manufacture date on the sidewall of the tire. Make sure is no more then two years old. Most tire for the best performance is within six years. Specially winter tire because they are using softer compound.

[Esprit]

Some member were asking about to put wheel cover to the steel wheel or not. I will say no. What I understand is you need air circulation for your brake disc to cool down after you brake. Steel wheel already has less air circulation space then most alloys rims (design may vary). Wheel cover may cover even more space (again depending on the design)
I am not saying that wheel cover will give you problem but I mean depending on the way that people drive or the way that how people brake. Outside temperture can make a different too. I saw people driving down hill with the brake on the hold time for more then a km. You can smell the brake pad from behide.
I may be wrong with the wheel cover idea.

[blacktalon13]

thanks for the tip, ed

i say no to hubcaps too.. unless they're those chrome spinners hubcabs that doesn't really spin.. those are COOL!!!! hahahaha j/k

[daan]

Blizzaks do work well when they're relatively new but only 50% of the tread depth is the special winter rubber compound, (winter tires have "softer" rubber) once you wear off half of the tread they're the same rubber as all-seasons. Of course worn-down Blizzaks still work better than the crap Toyos 5's come with.
I've always wanted to try a set of these:
http://www.greendiamondtire.com/
tires with little bits of silicon carbide molded right into the tread.

[coolmazda5]

Green Diamond Tires, invented in Iceland, what do those guys know anyway? ;)

Just kidding, great find daan, it is pretty clever I would say (yes)

[miwhite]

I got my Mazda5 at the end of Jan. I bought 16" Michelin X-Ice for 30% off at Crappy Tire. The tires were $135, steel wheels were $50. Only problem was finding four 205/55-16 tires. Some stores had one, some three - you know the drill. I bought the rims and tires at two different CT stores.

[bulwnkl]

Blizzaks do work well when they're relatively new but only 50% of the tread depth is the special winter rubber compound, (winter tires have "softer" rubber) once you wear off half of the tread they're the same rubber as all-seasons. Of course worn-down Blizzaks still work better than the crap Toyos 5's come with.
I've always wanted to try a set of these:
http://www.greendiamondtire.com/
tires with little bits of silicon carbide molded right into the tread.

That's right, Green Diamond, not Green Mountain like I posted before. I almost bought some of those this year. Wish I had. The pair I got aren't any better than good, new all-seasons.

Your point about the Blizzaks is why I've never bought any of those. I sure loved my Nokians, but dang they're expensive! If you only need snow tires a couple weeks a year, they're very difficult to justify.

[blacktalon13]

i don't like giong to crappy tires.. the so called "mechanic" there are retarded.. i went there once for an oil change and they didn't tighten the filter enough and started leaking oil everywhere...

[daddyzoom]

Just took delivery of a 2008 Mazda5 GT (with everything except the nav system). The remote start has been great these mornings. Got a great deal at the dealership when I purchased the vehicle for 16" winter tires/steel rims/hubcaps for $800 - put it throught the 0% financing. Best thing I did based on the industry reviews of the stock Toyo's that come on the vehicle. I wouldn't drive without winter tires.

[blacktalon13]

what kind of tires?

u're in durham region? i'm in toronto.. haven't seen lots of 08 around yet

[mrbwa1]

Blizzaks do work well when they're relatively new but only 50% of the tread depth is the special winter rubber compound, (winter tires have "softer" rubber) once you wear off half of the tread they're the same rubber as all-seasons. Of course worn-down Blizzaks still work better than the crap Toyos 5's come with.
I've always wanted to try a set of these:
http://www.greendiamondtire.com/
tires with little bits of silicon carbide molded right into the tread.

That's the reason I didn't go with the Blizzaks on the 5, even with their good reputation. I was apprehensive about the Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds, due to lack of reviews. So far, so good (other than Dunlop not sending me my rebate... GRRRR)

[Rivman]

M5 16" alloys on an '08 M3, with CTC P205/55R16 Nordic winter tires.
These have been just great this winter, with all the heavy snow conditions we have had -
definetly worth the investment.
"Thanks" Brian ! (canada)

[mrbwa1]

I didn't manage to get an pics of the 5 out in the snow, as she lives in the garage most of the time. I wanted to add a couple of photos to show how much snow the 5 has been coping with. It's a bit hard to see, but that's a suburban street with about 15 inches of snow! The driveway is my Mom, Sister and Nephew. Mom and the snow bank are bot about 5'6". February has come and we're seeing 40 F for temperatures, so it's melting off. There's only about 8" left here at my house. Mom still has 3 or 4 foot berms.

[coolmazda5]

I didn't manage to get an pics of the 5 out in the snow, as she lives in the garage most of the time. I wanted to add a couple of photos to show how much snow the 5 has been coping with. It's a bit hard to see, but that's a suburban street with about 15 inches of snow! The driveway is my Mom, Sister and Nephew. Mom and the snow bank are bot about 5'6". February has come and we're seeing 40 F for temperatures, so it's melting off. There's only about 8" left here at my house. Mom still has 3 or 4 foot berms.

Holly smokes, nice pics!

For a moment I thought you would say that the MZ5 was buried in that snow bank behind your mom :D. Reminds me when we used to live in Boston, and we were not getting even half of that amount! Yet, one day was so bad I was not able to find my car so I had to dig around to find it by license plate (we were living in an apartment complex, and everybody would drive the same Hondas or Toyotas). For that, glad I moved further South ;)

Back on topic, good thing the Mazda5 has a more unique shape for those cases, otherwise (lol2):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PiQiuA-WbI

[Dyx]

I had a friend whose car spun 360degrees last saturday, fortunately she had no car coming on the opposite direction and the car behind was far away. She and her car was ok except for her confidence that night. That I think is the best example why we need Snow Tires!

[Zoom5Zoom]

M5 16" alloys on an '08 M3, with CTC P205/55R16 Nordic winter tires.
These have been just great this winter, with all the heavy snow conditions we have had -
definetly worth the investment.
"Thanks" Brian ! (canada)

I remember those.....lol glad your enjoying em..

[Zoom5Zoom]

I had a friend whose car spun 360degrees last saturday, fortunately she had no car coming on the opposite direction and the car behind was far away. She and her car was ok except for her confidence that night. That I think is the best example why we need Snow Tires!

Are you saying there are more just one car in Winterpeg... lol

[was98strat]

i love my new 08 mazda5... but the dumb factory toyo tires SUCKS in the snow... we got dump with a LOT of snow today... i NEARLY got into an accident because some dumb dumb decided to change lane right beside me.. i swear i miss him by no more than half a foot... i pull over to change if i actually got hit because the guy took off ASAP without even stopping to see if there's any damage to the car. luckily he didn't touch me.. or else i'll be chasing him down.

and when i got home.. try pulling into the driveway den realize the snow is a tad too deep.. car stopped and couldn't move again.. took me about an hour to dig the car out of the snow.. luckily my neighbor saw me and start helping me push the car up... hopefully i didn't wreck my tranny. rev it up pretty high to get into my dumb long uphilll driveway... my baby only got 1700km on it.. i just pick it up about a month ago. god damn it...

alrite.. enough venting for now...

so my point is.. i think i should get snow tires soon... i don't want this kind of things happening often... (smash)

Uh hello...You're in Canada... NOT using winter tires is foolish! "all season" tires get pretty ineffective below 5c unless you live in a part of Canada where the winter temp rarely gets bel 5c then get winter tires!

I've had Pirellii Winter carving's on my 5 since the first winter, it's not expensive to do and will save some wear on your summer tires! Don;t even get me started on the safety aspect! If you want to be able to control your car in emergency situations and STOP you NEED winter tires! It should be the law, like in Quebec!

[daddyzoom]

what kind of tires?

u're in durham region? i'm in toronto.. haven't seen lots of 08 around yet

Ajax Mazda indicated that the winter tires they and other Mazda dealerships are selling (as part of a steel rim & tire package) are supplied by Good Year and based on the Ultra Grip. The tires have performed very well so far.

[mrbwa1]

For a moment I thought you would say that the MZ5 was buried in that snow bank behind your mom :D. Reminds me when we used to live in Boston, and we were not getting even half of that amount! Yet, one day was so bad I was not able to find my car so I had to dig around to find it by license plate (we were living in an apartment complex, and everybody would drive the same Hondas or Toyotas). For that, glad I moved further South ;)


Reminds my of my cousins talking about Upstate NY. One had one of those old Subarus from the 80s that had the low rang 4wd and he managed to drive it out of a 4 foot snow bank! To be honest, this kind of snow happens here once every 10-20 years. Usually we get no more than 4 inches at a time and rarely see more than a foot before getting plowed.

I am so glad that I pushed my wife to get snows, even after ponying up the dough for a brand new 5. I wish I had gotten a photo of the 5 after navigating the street, there was a scoop of snow all the way up to the top bumper lip and pressed into the fog light and radiator openings.