How do you pick winter tires?

[Fawiek]

My main experience is with Yokohama Iceguard. I like that the tire focused on excelling in real winter conditions (periods of dry, wet, slushy conditions) , exceptionally quiet, while doing well in snow.

I am about to try X-Ice this winter.

I think, they are all similar.

Crazy thing with the x ice, apart from the additional grip, the MPGs remained the same as tires that came with the car. Unreal.

 

[runwhatyabr]

Going for 7th year on General Altimax on my Q50s. Nothing bad to say about them, really good. Bought some Blizzaks WS90 for the CX5, will see how fast they wear. Had some Nokian Ipike on previous car and were not best but good enough . For a perspective with no fluff, local shop here in Ottawa did a good You Tube video on it explaining some choices. Winter tires by Slick

 

[SimpleCanuck]

Going for 7th year on General Altimax on my Q50s. Nothing bad to say about them, really good. Bought some Blizzaks WS90 for the CX5, will see how fast they wear. Had some Nokian Ipike on previous car and were not best but good enough . For a perspective with no fluff, local shop here in Ottawa did a good You Tube video on it explaining some choices. Winter tires by Slick

I have used Blizzak WS-80's and WS-90's, and the WS-90's are lasting much longer than the WS-80's and earlier.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

I've had Blizzak WS-80, WS-90, and currently have Continental VikingContact 7. Overall the Blizzak WS-80 had the best performance, but the good part of the tread was toast after 2 winters. Here in Colorado we get periods of dry weather between storms and it just caused it to wear super fast. The WS-90 lasted an additional winter longer than the WS-80 before the good tread was gone.

With the VikingContact 7 I am going on the 3rd winter this year with them and they seem to have plenty of tread left. I'd say they aren't quite as good as the Blizzaks were when the Blizzaks still had the soft compound layer, but they are still very good and so far they have been lasting given the wide range of road conditions we have in the winter, not to mention temperature swings.

 

[N7turbo]

Not surprised. Continental makes some of the best tires.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Crazy thing with the x ice, apart from the additional grip, the MPGs remained the same as tires that came with the car. Unreal.

I'm excited to try them, but I am hoping that the 2016 build date won't hold back on their performance too much. There is like 8 or 9/32nds tread remaining.

 

[stickerbush]

Am I wrong in thinking that there is an inverse relationship between tread life and grip? My thinking is that extended tread life comes from harder rubber compounds and grip is better with softer compounds.

I never run my tires down to the indicator bars, tread life is less important to me than how the tires perform in marginal (wet, icy) conditions.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Am I wrong in thinking that there is an inverse relationship between tread life and grip?

No, you're not wrong.

My thinking is that extended tread life comes from harder rubber compounds and grip is better with softer compounds.

Generally speaking; yes.

 

[N7turbo]

The best track tires are 200 treadwear.

 

[Lazy2.5]

The best track tires are 200 treadwear.

Duly noted. Knowing what treadwear rating is best for track use - on a forum dominated by crossover drivers - within a thread discussing winter tires.. Perfect.

 

[N7turbo]

Am I wrong in thinking that there is an inverse relationship between tread life and grip? My thinking is that extended tread life comes from harder rubber compounds and grip is better with softer compounds.

The best track tires are 200 treadwear.

@Lazy2.5 I was answering this question. In other words, YES there is a direct correlation.

 

[Freedom55]

I've had Blizzak WS-80, WS-90, and currently have Continental VikingContact 7. Overall the Blizzak WS-80 had the best performance, but the good part of the tread was toast after 2 winters. Here in Colorado we get periods of dry weather between storms and it just caused it to wear super fast. The WS-90 lasted an additional winter longer than the WS-80 before the good tread was gone.

With the VikingContact 7 I am going on the 3rd winter this year with them and they seem to have plenty of tread left. I'd say they aren't quite as good as the Blizzaks were when the Blizzaks still had the soft compound layer, but they are still very good and so far they have been lasting given the wide range of road conditions we have in the winter, not to mention temperature swings.

Glad to hear your VikingContact 7 wear well. Conti VikingContact 8 is new perhaps your next set?

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/continental-vikingcontact-8