Take it from a northern alaskaner. You can't go wrong with Brigstone Blizzaks, Nokian Hakkapeliitas, Continetal Viking contacts, or Hankook I-pikes. Driven them all . I tend to favor Hakkapeliita and I-pikes. BUt all are great.
@Looch 1 it is relevant to this specific video . I’m Canadian and live in the Rocky Mountains so I wouldn’t be taking winter tire advice from someone who lives in Texas . Just like people who live in SoCal wouldn’t be looking for the same tires as someone who lives in upstate New York.
@Looch 1 good thing it does not rain where I am from in the winter months, IT SNOWS! If it doesn't snow where you are from in the winter why are you watching this video lol
@Looch 1 Listen your being such an a hole because if I talk to a person who lives in Louisiana and I myself who lives in Wyoming one of the coldest, windiest, and worst winter weather state and I live in the mountains so I want to trust somebody who have that type of experience or way more for I can keep my family safe people who lives in hot or warmer areas they never change their tires like ever they only use all season or they think that they have 4x4 or awd so they do not need snow tires and when those people come to places like these they think that one tire that all season is just good enough and that is one of the leading causes of road deaths in this state because people who don't use the natives advice but going on people like you advice.
I tend to overthink many things, but it actually didn't take long to choose winter tires. My first year with my own car and Bridgestone Blizzaks were on sale so I grabbed a set. Hopefully they live up to the hype. 👍
@@shaddapmyute9634 They did well last season. I don't drive a whole lot so I could kinda pick the better days to go out. So long as you're safe and cautious then they'll be fine.
Living in the Northwest of Canada you need aggressive tires! Tires like Michelin X Ice3 are garbage because of the amount of slush / wet snow we get! The freeze thaw from day to night time makes it even worse so only a tire with generous spacing between deep thread blocks and tons of saw tooth siping, soft rubber and studs will do! If the winter tire looks like an all season tire it will perform like one in this area! Pick the right type of tire for the area you live in with its winter weather demands instead of going by tire reviews from someone who lives in a different climate!
Many of us have problems searching for safe reliable tire for our vehicles especially me do to my kids riding in our van a lot I want to be sure they are going to be safe I understand that no tire is 100 percent but id like to be somewhat clear headed knowing my kids will get home safely your video truly helped me choose tire thank you
Can’t go wrong with Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone or Goodyear. They spend more money every year on winter tire R&D then other brands and their tires are consistently the top rated. For me I’m getting the Continental VikingContact 7.
The Michelin X-ice is mostly just for ice-covered roads as they don't have very large gaps between the tread blocks. Meanwhile, the Continental VikingContact 7 (long name) has way larger gaps, thus giving better performance in snow and slush, something that I need for long unplowed driveways.
there is alot of smaller companis who work for dose big names, and selling lower price but also some are even better and better quality then the big boys, just overpriced by the name
I just bought a set for my mom's car. The original Altimaxes were bad ass. My car got stuck at the pinch rail in bad snow storm. I got stuck, but going in forward and reverse, got free. It was crazy situation.
@@dcas7940 I loved the Altimax Arctic Ice tires. I've also owned the Winterforce tires, and several sets of them over the years, and no complaints. Ran across some Blizzak lm-60's last week for $60 with more than half tread. I'll see what happens. I just put them on yesterday and needed them last week lol. I've also owned Mastercraft Glaciertrex snow tires and I'm not as impressed with them, but they'll go on my wife's car today
@@atg402 Toyo are good mid-range. For me they are equals to Kumho, Giti, GT Radial, Maxxis , Nexen etc. The only difference is probably that Toyo will last a bit more.
Thanks for that. It’s pretty easy. Get winter tires period. If you can afford it get some cheap rims for them. Get smaller diameter and a narrower tire/rim that still fits your wheel specs. Change to them somewhat late and off them somewhat early to preserve tread.
Good advice. Too many choices out there, sets up for confusion for sure. The first solid choice is to opt for Winter tyres to begin with. They will make your all season tyres last that much longer... Yes, winter tyres are an investment but also investment protection -- what I mean by that: both tyres and vehicles are now very expensive. Yes, you have 2 sets of tyres for your vehicle but they also both can last 4 seasons comfortably (for example 4 winters) before you must replace them; and even then, that will depend on how much driving you do. Nail down your criteria and get some information you can rely on. What is most important to you? I've tried many tyres over time and noticed that for me, the way I drive and where I live and travel, Michelins are worth the extra $$ as they last 1 season longer than the rest and that's worked for me. Tyres that don't last long means spending more $$ in the long run.
Thanks very much Justin! I have bought winter tires for 30 years now and your advice is sound, timely and certainly applicable to the uninitiated. Glad you stayed away from mentioning brand names, making this a truly neutral review.
Companies can make good or bad winter tires. My first winter tires were Pirelli Winter 160 which were great. I then got some Pirelli Winter Carving for my next car and I hated them, so staying with a brand we know will not always work. My next winter tires will be some Michelin X-Ice Snow and I remember having a good experience with my father's Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 when I borrowed his car, so I hope it works out. I currently drive Toyo Observe Garit KX which I like a lot.
No one ever talks about hydroplaning on slushy conditions, even slush under the snow, just as dangerous as solid ice, and yes, I have the answer because I plowed roads for 27 years.🤣
@Terry Ferragame How do you like the Hakka's so far? I was planning on getting them for my S5 but sadly couldn't locate a set in time so I went with some Toyo Observes.
Tire width is also important. You can have winter tires but if they are too wide it defeats the benefits of the tire. I always run skinny pizza cutter snows and it transforms any vehicle
In the latest test from Tyre Reviews, the difference was actually minimal. What we saw is that thinner tires seem to have a little bit more traction, but will stop slightly slower than a wider tire (plow effect). It can still be a good move if only just to save money, but the difference between a good winter tire and a bad winter tire is much more significant to performance on snow and ice than the difference in the width of the tire.
@@jessewoody5772 Average joe driving is not rally driving though. And have you actually seen WRC tires? There's almost more studs on them than rubber lol. At normal speeds and with normal tires, the difference is fairly minimal with both having advantages and disadvantages depending on the road condition. In my case, a lot of my winter driving will be on plowed/clear roads where the wider tires perform better.
@@RicHSAD2 Well all I can say, and I speak from experience, All else being equal, a skinny tire outperforms wider tires on road in snow. A front drive with skinny snows beats a 4x4 with wide tires all day long
@@jessewoody5772 4x4 helps with traction, but not with stopping. One area where wider tires was tested to have an advantage is braking in the snow. It's not always better, which is just my point. Whatever works for you though. If you have good tires, you're already in a good spot. :)
I’ve gone through maybe 7 sets of winter tires since I started driving, I live mid Ontario. Just get the cheapest brand name tires you can find your not going to be racing ur fine. That being said the best winter tires I’ve had was the Michelin x ice. Second blizzak but I wouldn’t pay that much again for those as I feel it’s not needed I currently have tiger claws on three vehicles and they are more than enough for what I need at a fraction of the cost
I second your opinion... any cheap winter is gonna keep you out of a mess compared to an all season. I too have ran the blizzak and xice, I only found they outperform run of the mill winters for about the first season... after that they are just another winter tire... and they wear FAST. i cooked a pair of blizzaks in 24,000kms... that was my last set. They are not worth the money. On pickups I run a winter rated all terrain and they are fine... i wouldn't head in to winter with an AT with less than 4 or 5/32 of tread... buttttt they too are good. lots of 3PMS AT tires out there for trucks/suv and no second set of wheels/tires
I always used Goodyears All season Assurence tires and they got me through ok. This year I picked up Bridgestone Blizzak WS90s and figured I give it a try.
Very good video, that's to the point. As some people have pointed out, this is a bit more general and in some areas more specific info needs to be taken into consideration when buying one brand over another, but I stand with you on the overall message. Switch to winter tires if you live in an area where the temperature drops near or below freezing during the winter season. Proper tires are the single most important, yet most overlooked investment on any car. That's what could make the difference in making it home in one piece or cursing out in regret as you're plowing into someone or going off the edge of a cliff.
Hi from the U.K. we don’t get much snow in my corner of the country most years but have just fitted Michelin Cross Climate 2s to my wife’s Subaru Forester they should be a great all rounder hopefully 👍🏻🇬🇧
tried a lot of high end winter tires. haks, toys, cooper discos, and here to tell you. blizzos are hands down the grippiest and longest lasting ice cruisers.
I would put w tires in two categories: better for deep snow/slush with more spaced blocks, and better for comfort/low noise with less spaced blocks. Ones for deep snow are better driven through snow storms at speed - less floating - and better traction while pulling your car from 1ft of snow (plow trucks just passed). Comfort tires with close blocks don't do well in deep snow or slush and float at speed (dangerous). No tire does well on ice without studs. Mind you, in the 2000s tires had better traction because the rubber compound had more natural rubber. Natural rubber is the only compound that stays very flexible in low temperatures, thus best grip. Plane tires are the only ones made of 100% natural rubber. Since 2000, price for natural rubber has climbed and today w tires have less natural rubber %. Top range Blizzaks, Nokians and Michelin still have more natural rubber than other tires, that's why they perform better. The trend is towards less natural rubber % with each new model. Finally, keep in mind, some people praise a winter tire while driving a truck: truck winter tires have more spaced blocks than the same sedan car tire, and trucks are also heaver: a truck winter tire will always perform better than the same model on a sedan car.
I bought a set of wheels with winter tires already on them. They lasted me 2 winters and performed really well!! But to my shock, they were 11 years old and getting really dry-cracked! One of them had a sidewall tear, and was due to bubble or pop any day now. They're the Michelin X-Ice in a small 185/60/15 and still performed really well, but I just ordered the cheapest name-brand set I could find, and that was a Hankook i*cept iz2 in a 175/60/15 for $80 less than other comparable brands! Yes, you're right! Don't over-think winter tires! Just get a name brand tire, new or not older than 5 years, studded or non studded, and make them slightly thinner and taller than you would run for a summer tire!
This video is a good initiative and the message is on point for the targeted audience. You oversimplified a little bit (there are still a few notable factors to take into consideration such as snow vs ice tires, noise, stability over dry pavement) but I value the encouragement of people to finalize the purchase of winter tires as opposed to them get discouraged and putting it off until another year.
yeah. The few basic tricks of winter tires aren't expensive or secret sauce and work even on cheaper ones. It just is near impossible to combine that with summer performance. Hence why buying ANY winter tire in first place is the most important step. Most basic being "is the rubber mixed designed for freezing temperatures". Making hot temperature rubber for summer is easy. Making freezing temperature range rubber for winter tires is easy. What is near impossible is making lasting rubber, that performs spanning both. Hence: Buy winter tires, pretty much any winter tires in the first place. Since the rubber is meant to be driven on winter. Unlike summer rubber or all seasons, which also most often use summer tyre rubber outside of few VERY expensive options (because that is expensive secret sauce stuff, rubber that can span from -40 to +40 celsius). After that it is few basic things, deeper and larger grooves to catch snow, because snow sticks to snow. Lot of cross cuts to have edges, because edges stick on ice. Then some gripping crystals mixed in with the rubber. on hard core cases studs. Studs provide the ultimate ice traction, but that comes at cost of tire noise and near unsuitability to summer driving. road owners get really really mad, if one drives on bare asphalt with studs. All of this is decades old known stuff and the decades old tire designs aren't any worse now than then. As long as the tire is overall solidly build by any competent tire maker and they apply the few basic tricks of intending to make winter tires, one will be beating the pants of any summer or all season tires. One doesn't need the newest or greatest. 3 decades old winter tyre design based on expired patents (thus cheaper since no paying licenses to Nokia, Pirelli or other high R&D name brand) made by competent "generic option" tire fabricator will be 100/1 safer on winter. Since summer tires are really really really dangerous on winter. The summer rubber turn to hard plastic and after that it is roller skating on 4 hard plastic rollers over ice...... hard plastic is not known for ice grip. Specially typically rather smooth hard plastic. Hence all the accident videos of cars just sliding and sliding and sliding totally out of control down just a little slope from near zero speed. Summer tire on cold smooth ice is a ball bearing in a smooth metal groove. No amount of "I'm a good driver" will help in that situation. Hence why buying the "not going to turn to hard plastic at -5 Celcius" tires is the most important part. After that everything else is comparatively fine tuning.
Bought some continental winter contact SI’s tonight only to come home and read they were discontinued years ago….so now my mind is going nuts thinking I over thought it
People are overthinking in that they should just get winter tires to start, but that they should also just stick to a reputable brand. The difference between a cheap and a good tire has been shown to not be insignificant and it could save your life or someone else's. Not to mention that cheaper tires can often wear out faster, so in some cases you are just paying less now to pay more later, all while using an inferior product during that time.
Not really, for around the same prize you can get a pair of Kumho or Nexen, would be a lot better. GT Radial or Maxxis are also not that far up in terms of price.
I love this video, the emphasis on self reliance in the advice, like at 1:42. So much more helpful than other ways of giving advice, really thoughtful and well considered.
To stud or not to stud. I drive a pick up with all seasons on and never have any trouble. My wife however drives a Corolla front wheel drive and she’s a bit nervous driving. We live in the city and the streets are usually salted/sanded. I’m putting winters on the Corolla but I’m not sure if it’s worth studding.
Has anyone run the Certified brand from Canadian Tire? They're quite a bit cheaper than Michelin or Bridgestone but are they any good? Winter tires are so expensive now!
Blizzaks have a special compound that makes them the best, this compound wears out after 2 winters (aka 2years/2seasons) especially if your winters are spent on plowed & salted roads like towns/cities. After that they are just normal really great winter tires (without the special bite) X-ice is good on ice, great in snow, horrible in slush (you’ll fish tail on FWD/RWD) but they last long & they handle/sound like all seasons, they are very fuel efficient. I tried X-Ice but would prefer Blizzaks or the Nokian Hakka3s even for City driving in southern Ontario.
The newer concept of “All weather” tires, not to be confused with “all season”, has been great in places I live like northern US, Cleveland Ohio where we get dumped on with lake effect snow, but also have majority of months with wet and dry pavement as well. The Michelin Cross Climate 2’s have been an incredible breakthrough in engineering, being they function as a winter tire in snow, but also cut through water and bite the dry road without wearing down. An amazing pick!
I use to be a fan of Nokian but they don’t make the size I need anymore. Had continental snow tires for 3 snow seasons and was never impressed even first year. Going with vresteim wintrwc pro this time around. The siphoning already is superior but I haven’t gotten them yet. Live in mountains of colorado and always have dedicated snow tires- only 6 will fit my size. Will never pay more than. 270 per tire it’s never worth it. Drive with winter tires and accordingly to conditions and you will be fine.
@@menlopark4966 not as grippy as the Nokians but better than the continental. Going into 2nd season with them. Was never stranded or felt that uneasy last year and it was a hard snowy winter. I honestly don’t have many choices in the size I need so I guess I can’t be that picky! Overall good snow tire. Probably get 4 seasons from them if I have to.
@@brodenmacarthur3955 how the traction on hard compacted snow and ice? That's what I'm most worried about. Had a scary situation with some other snow tires that I'm trying to avoid.
THANK YOU! I have always had SUV's and 4X4 trucks in the past, and 90% of the tires I ran on those year round was BFG AT's. (Severe winter rated to start with as a added bonus. Also had AWESOME results with the last set of Kumho AT's that were on my former Jeep Patriot 4X4. However...............a while back I traded the Patriot for a Toyota PRIUS. And NOW...................now I am moving 700 miles away to a area that I will very likely be needing winter tires at least a couple of times this winter. And they dont make all terrain truck tires for a Prius. hahahaha! I was starting to panic. MY GOODNESS all the varieties' of snow tires for cars out there!!! 0_0 This vid helped a LOT!
@@Bromeh I guess you can talk to the dealer about a trial run to see if the uniroyals meet your standards or a full money back refund. Can you get goodyears elsewhere if you're not happy? I'm not saying goodyears are better than uniroyals, but I do know they're very good.
All you have to remember is that switching from all season to winter tires helps improve traction 90%. Spending extra for top quality tires will give you the remaining 10%
I’ve always had good luck with winter tires, however the current tires I have now are absolute GARBAGE. I’ve never felt so unsafe on the road as I have with the tires I currently own. I’ve had cheap GT radials to Gislaved tires. the BF tires on my car now have scared me half to death multiple times. You can’t just buy a winter tire and say whatever.
I believed this myth years ago. It proved to be mediocre in mountains winter, at best. Nokian used to CHEAT on tyre tests by supplying custom-made tyres. This disqualifies the brand for me forever.
@@GSPA100 only in emergency situations would a person need good tires. If you're not maintaining 3 cars length, then you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
@beeda69 Do you drive in Canadian winters? I had my summers on beginning of November and a snowfall hit. I could not stop the car to turn on another street. I could barely take off from a red light. I was an extreme hazard on the road and everyone was at risk.
@@GSPA100 yes, i use winter tires during winter and maintain a bigger gap. Michelin or Used winter tires, it ain't gonna stop if you speed and don't maintain distance. Also, i live in one of the coldest parts of Canada
I'm an extremely anxious person and have spent 5 hours reading about tires today.....so thank you - I needed this reminder.
Not all tires are created equal I just thought I'd throw that in there😂
Yup. You need help.
Then you need Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9, 10 or R3 :) I'm OCD about winter tires and the ones I mentioned are amazing
Nokian, thats what you need.. Nokian winter tires
Me too
Take it from a northern alaskaner. You can't go wrong with Brigstone Blizzaks, Nokian Hakkapeliitas, Continetal Viking contacts, or Hankook I-pikes. Driven them all . I tend to favor Hakkapeliita and I-pikes. BUt all are great.
Have had the same experience my self here in Norway. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice is a good alternative to.
@Looch 1 good thing we're talking about winter driving and not driving in the rain then.
@Looch 1 it is relevant to this specific video . I’m Canadian and live in the Rocky Mountains so I wouldn’t be taking winter tire advice from someone who lives in Texas . Just like people who live in SoCal wouldn’t be looking for the same tires as someone who lives in upstate New York.
@Looch 1 good thing it does not rain where I am from in the winter months, IT SNOWS! If it doesn't snow where you are from in the winter why are you watching this video lol
@Looch 1 Listen your being such an a hole because if I talk to a person who lives in Louisiana and I myself who lives in Wyoming one of the coldest, windiest, and worst winter weather state and I live in the mountains so I want to trust somebody who have that type of experience or way more for I can keep my family safe people who lives in hot or warmer areas they never change their tires like ever they only use all season or they think that they have 4x4 or awd so they do not need snow tires and when those people come to places like these they think that one tire that all season is just good enough and that is one of the leading causes of road deaths in this state because people who don't use the natives advice but going on people like you advice.
You right I’m definitely overthinking. Thank you.
I tend to overthink many things, but it actually didn't take long to choose winter tires. My first year with my own car and Bridgestone Blizzaks were on sale so I grabbed a set. Hopefully they live up to the hype. 👍
Howd they do 👀
@@shaddapmyute9634 They did well last season. I don't drive a whole lot so I could kinda pick the better days to go out. So long as you're safe and cautious then they'll be fine.
@@Just-Michael appreciate the reply thank you, im gonna look into those
You basically chosen the best ones on the market 😅
I grabbed blizzaks because they were on sale around the same time. I drive a lot, even in the winter and I had no issues with my fwd
Living in the Northwest of Canada you need aggressive tires! Tires like Michelin X Ice3 are garbage because of the amount of slush / wet snow we get! The freeze thaw from day to night time makes it even worse so only a tire with generous spacing between deep thread blocks and tons of saw tooth siping, soft rubber and studs will do! If the winter tire looks like an all season tire it will perform like one in this area! Pick the right type of tire for the area you live in with its winter weather demands instead of going by tire reviews from someone who lives in a different climate!
Thanks for sharing!
Many of us have problems searching for safe reliable tire for our vehicles especially me do to my kids riding in our van a lot I want to be sure they are going to be safe I understand that no tire is 100 percent but id like to be somewhat clear headed knowing my kids will get home safely your video truly helped me choose tire thank you
Can’t go wrong with Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone or Goodyear. They spend more money every year on winter tire R&D then other brands and their tires are consistently the top rated. For me I’m getting the Continental VikingContact 7.
definitely!
they are very good for grip ..i wouldn't bother with anything less than 170 bhp but anything over it's a decent investment.
The Michelin X-ice is mostly just for ice-covered roads as they don't have very large gaps between the tread blocks. Meanwhile, the Continental VikingContact 7 (long name) has way larger gaps, thus giving better performance in snow and slush, something that I need for long unplowed driveways.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta or R3 🤯
there is alot of smaller companis who work for dose big names, and selling lower price but also some are even better and better quality then the big boys, just overpriced by the name
I've driven gen1 X-ice's, Firestone Winter forces, and WS80's but the most impressive to me has been General Tire Altimax. Extremely great value
i just buy nokians
I just bought a set for my mom's car. The original Altimaxes were bad ass. My car got stuck at the pinch rail in bad snow storm. I got stuck, but going in forward and reverse, got free. It was crazy situation.
Altimax all the way, they really outperformed my WS80, I wish I never switched
@@dcas7940 I loved the Altimax Arctic Ice tires. I've also owned the Winterforce tires, and several sets of them over the years, and no complaints. Ran across some Blizzak lm-60's last week for $60 with more than half tread. I'll see what happens. I just put them on yesterday and needed them last week lol. I've also owned Mastercraft Glaciertrex snow tires and I'm not as impressed with them, but they'll go on my wife's car today
I've always used Bridgestone Blizzaks, but this fall I'm switching to Michelin X-Ice Snow.
So what I got from this video:
1. Don't buy cheap Chinese made tires
2. Ask someone else
I've had blizzaks and cheap chinese tires... I noticed no difference lol
What about toyo tires? They are somewhat in the middle of cheap and expensive
@@atg402 Toyo are good mid-range. For me they are equals to Kumho, Giti, GT Radial, Maxxis , Nexen etc. The only difference is probably that Toyo will last a bit more.
Thanks for that. It’s pretty easy. Get winter tires period. If you can afford it get some cheap rims for them. Get smaller diameter and a narrower tire/rim that still fits your wheel specs. Change to them somewhat late and off them somewhat early to preserve tread.
Good advice. Too many choices out there, sets up for confusion for sure.
The first solid choice is to opt for Winter tyres to begin with.
They will make your all season tyres last that much longer...
Yes, winter tyres are an investment but also investment protection -- what I mean by that: both tyres and vehicles are now very expensive.
Yes, you have 2 sets of tyres for your vehicle but they also both can last 4 seasons comfortably (for example 4 winters) before you must replace them; and even then, that will depend on how much driving you do.
Nail down your criteria and get some information you can rely on. What is most important to you?
I've tried many tyres over time and noticed that for me, the way I drive and where I live and travel, Michelins are worth the extra $$ as they last 1 season longer than the rest and that's worked for me. Tyres that don't last long means spending more $$ in the long run.
Thanks very much Justin! I have bought winter tires for 30 years now and your advice is sound, timely and certainly applicable to the uninitiated. Glad you stayed away from mentioning brand names, making this a truly neutral review.
Companies can make good or bad winter tires. My first winter tires were Pirelli Winter 160 which were great. I then got some Pirelli Winter Carving for my next car and I hated them, so staying with a brand we know will not always work. My next winter tires will be some Michelin X-Ice Snow and I remember having a good experience with my father's Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 when I borrowed his car, so I hope it works out. I currently drive Toyo Observe Garit KX which I like a lot.
No one ever talks about hydroplaning on slushy conditions, even slush under the snow, just as dangerous as solid ice, and yes, I have the answer because I plowed roads for 27 years.🤣
@Terry Ferragame How do you like the Hakka's so far? I was planning on getting them for my S5 but sadly couldn't locate a set in time so I went with some Toyo Observes.
Just buy blizzaks and enjoy winter driving. No overthinking necessary
Tire width is also important. You can have winter tires but if they are too wide it defeats the benefits of the tire. I always run skinny pizza cutter snows and it transforms any vehicle
In the latest test from Tyre Reviews, the difference was actually minimal. What we saw is that thinner tires seem to have a little bit more traction, but will stop slightly slower than a wider tire (plow effect). It can still be a good move if only just to save money, but the difference between a good winter tire and a bad winter tire is much more significant to performance on snow and ice than the difference in the width of the tire.
@@RicHSAD2 skinny tires give much better directional stability in snow than a wide tire. All rally drivers use skinny tires for snow..
@@jessewoody5772 Average joe driving is not rally driving though. And have you actually seen WRC tires? There's almost more studs on them than rubber lol. At normal speeds and with normal tires, the difference is fairly minimal with both having advantages and disadvantages depending on the road condition. In my case, a lot of my winter driving will be on plowed/clear roads where the wider tires perform better.
@@RicHSAD2 Well all I can say, and I speak from experience, All else being equal, a skinny tire outperforms wider tires on road in snow.
A front drive with skinny snows beats a 4x4 with wide tires all day long
@@jessewoody5772 4x4 helps with traction, but not with stopping. One area where wider tires was tested to have an advantage is braking in the snow. It's not always better, which is just my point. Whatever works for you though. If you have good tires, you're already in a good spot. :)
I’ve gone through maybe 7 sets of winter tires since I started driving, I live mid Ontario. Just get the cheapest brand name tires you can find your not going to be racing ur fine. That being said the best winter tires I’ve had was the Michelin x ice. Second blizzak but I wouldn’t pay that much again for those as I feel it’s not needed I currently have tiger claws on three vehicles and they are more than enough for what I need at a fraction of the cost
Collectively costing the government millions by damaging roads > spending $100 more on tires
I second your opinion... any cheap winter is gonna keep you out of a mess compared to an all season. I too have ran the blizzak and xice, I only found they outperform run of the mill winters for about the first season... after that they are just another winter tire... and they wear FAST. i cooked a pair of blizzaks in 24,000kms... that was my last set. They are not worth the money. On pickups I run a winter rated all terrain and they are fine... i wouldn't head in to winter with an AT with less than 4 or 5/32 of tread... buttttt they too are good. lots of 3PMS AT tires out there for trucks/suv and no second set of wheels/tires
@@666dynomax I also found the blizzak wore out fast. Do you know if x ice last longer?
I also found the blizzak wore out fast. Do you know if x ice last longer?
I always used Goodyears All season Assurence tires and they got me through ok. This year I picked up Bridgestone Blizzak WS90s and figured I give it a try.
You need to boycott Goodyear. They became woke and paid tbe price. Blizzaks are the only tires that squeal on ice.
Very good video, that's to the point. As some people have pointed out, this is a bit more general and in some areas more specific info needs to be taken into consideration when buying one brand over another, but I stand with you on the overall message. Switch to winter tires if you live in an area where the temperature drops near or below freezing during the winter season. Proper tires are the single most important, yet most overlooked investment on any car. That's what could make the difference in making it home in one piece or cursing out in regret as you're plowing into someone or going off the edge of a cliff.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi from the U.K. we don’t get much snow in my corner of the country most years but have just fitted Michelin Cross Climate 2s to my wife’s Subaru Forester they should be a great all rounder hopefully 👍🏻🇬🇧
tried a lot of high end winter tires. haks, toys, cooper discos, and here to tell you. blizzos are hands down the grippiest and longest lasting ice cruisers.
I use Nokian hakka 9 on a AWD Mitsubishi, I love winter!
BRING ME MORE METERS OF SNOW!!!
- Quebec
Solid advice Justin. Comments on sticking to the reputable brands are on point. Auto
Trader...we need more reviews by Justin!
I would put w tires in two categories: better for deep snow/slush with more spaced blocks, and better for comfort/low noise with less spaced blocks. Ones for deep snow are better driven through snow storms at speed - less floating - and better traction while pulling your car from 1ft of snow (plow trucks just passed). Comfort tires with close blocks don't do well in deep snow or slush and float at speed (dangerous). No tire does well on ice without studs. Mind you, in the 2000s tires had better traction because the rubber compound had more natural rubber. Natural rubber is the only compound that stays very flexible in low temperatures, thus best grip. Plane tires are the only ones made of 100% natural rubber. Since 2000, price for natural rubber has climbed and today w tires have less natural rubber %. Top range Blizzaks, Nokians and Michelin still have more natural rubber than other tires, that's why they perform better. The trend is towards less natural rubber % with each new model. Finally, keep in mind, some people praise a winter tire while driving a truck: truck winter tires have more spaced blocks than the same sedan car tire, and trucks are also heaver: a truck winter tire will always perform better than the same model on a sedan car.
I bought a set of wheels with winter tires already on them. They lasted me 2 winters and performed really well!! But to my shock, they were 11 years old and getting really dry-cracked! One of them had a sidewall tear, and was due to bubble or pop any day now.
They're the Michelin X-Ice in a small 185/60/15 and still performed really well, but I just ordered the cheapest name-brand set I could find, and that was a Hankook i*cept iz2 in a 175/60/15 for $80 less than other comparable brands!
Yes, you're right! Don't over-think winter tires! Just get a name brand tire, new or not older than 5 years, studded or non studded, and make them slightly thinner and taller than you would run for a summer tire!
This video is a good initiative and the message is on point for the targeted audience. You oversimplified a little bit (there are still a few notable factors to take into consideration such as snow vs ice tires, noise, stability over dry pavement) but I value the encouragement of people to finalize the purchase of winter tires as opposed to them get discouraged and putting it off until another year.
yeah. The few basic tricks of winter tires aren't expensive or secret sauce and work even on cheaper ones. It just is near impossible to combine that with summer performance. Hence why buying ANY winter tire in first place is the most important step.
Most basic being "is the rubber mixed designed for freezing temperatures". Making hot temperature rubber for summer is easy. Making freezing temperature range rubber for winter tires is easy. What is near impossible is making lasting rubber, that performs spanning both. Hence: Buy winter tires, pretty much any winter tires in the first place. Since the rubber is meant to be driven on winter. Unlike summer rubber or all seasons, which also most often use summer tyre rubber outside of few VERY expensive options (because that is expensive secret sauce stuff, rubber that can span from -40 to +40 celsius).
After that it is few basic things, deeper and larger grooves to catch snow, because snow sticks to snow.
Lot of cross cuts to have edges, because edges stick on ice. Then some gripping crystals mixed in with the rubber. on hard core cases studs. Studs provide the ultimate ice traction, but that comes at cost of tire noise and near unsuitability to summer driving. road owners get really really mad, if one drives on bare asphalt with studs.
All of this is decades old known stuff and the decades old tire designs aren't any worse now than then. As long as the tire is overall solidly build by any competent tire maker and they apply the few basic tricks of intending to make winter tires, one will be beating the pants of any summer or all season tires. One doesn't need the newest or greatest. 3 decades old winter tyre design based on expired patents (thus cheaper since no paying licenses to Nokia, Pirelli or other high R&D name brand) made by competent "generic option" tire fabricator will be 100/1 safer on winter.
Since summer tires are really really really dangerous on winter. The summer rubber turn to hard plastic and after that it is roller skating on 4 hard plastic rollers over ice...... hard plastic is not known for ice grip. Specially typically rather smooth hard plastic.
Hence all the accident videos of cars just sliding and sliding and sliding totally out of control down just a little slope from near zero speed. Summer tire on cold smooth ice is a ball bearing in a smooth metal groove. No amount of "I'm a good driver" will help in that situation. Hence why buying the "not going to turn to hard plastic at -5 Celcius" tires is the most important part. After that everything else is comparatively fine tuning.
Truth bro. I recommend studs if they are allowed where you live. But they arn't for everyone, I personally won't drive without them at this point.
Tires are the one thing I NEVER feel bad about spending more money on. A good tire is important.
Even not that well known brands do make decent winter tires. For instance, I've been pleased with GT Radial and Maxxis.
Bought some continental winter contact SI’s tonight only to come home and read they were discontinued years ago….so now my mind is going nuts thinking I over thought it
ProTip: EVERY tire sold in Canada/US must meet/exceed DOT standards. Regardless of name on the sidewall.
People are overthinking in that they should just get winter tires to start, but that they should also just stick to a reputable brand. The difference between a cheap and a good tire has been shown to not be insignificant and it could save your life or someone else's. Not to mention that cheaper tires can often wear out faster, so in some cases you are just paying less now to pay more later, all while using an inferior product during that time.
thanks for making this video, was overthinking it big time. Now i know.
I’m getting some Coopers tomorrow just in time for a snow storm! I can’t wait. 🥳
How'd you like the Cooper's?
Are MAZZINI SNOW LEOPARD 2 a good winter tire for snow/wet/ice/cold conditions, considering the price?
Not really, for around the same prize you can get a pair of Kumho or Nexen, would be a lot better. GT Radial or Maxxis are also not that far up in terms of price.
@@DeepSlice got 4 set for $500 cad.
Im not overthinking: I buy Continental. And if not in stock, Michelin.
Blizzak winter tires for Colorado is my favorite 😍
Try Hakkapelitta 10
I love this video, the emphasis on self reliance in the advice, like at 1:42. So much more helpful than other ways of giving advice, really thoughtful and well considered.
Well... some winter tires are stupid loud where some are near quiet ! Once you've had a loud one, you will think twice before picking one.
To stud or not to stud. I drive a pick up with all seasons on and never have any trouble.
My wife however drives a Corolla front wheel drive and she’s a bit nervous driving.
We live in the city and the streets are usually salted/sanded.
I’m putting winters on the Corolla but I’m not sure if it’s worth studding.
I bought the cheapest available winter tires I could find: “Certified” brand from Canadian Tire 🤷♂️ I figured anything is better than my all seasons.
My winter tires are 7 years old. Good tread. 80%. Should i replace them?
IMO any winter tyre is better than the summers
no way . id rather a good year summer tyre than a fake crappy winter cheap one
A reputable tire shop won’t sell you bad tires, you should be safe asking for the cheaper option.
Has anyone run the Certified brand from Canadian Tire? They're quite a bit cheaper than Michelin or Bridgestone but are they any good? Winter tires are so expensive now!
Thumbs up when I saw the 60km to Sudbury sign
I also found the blizzak wore out fast. Do you know if x ice last longer? Or what is the longest lasting winter tire?
Blizzaks have a special compound that makes them the best, this compound wears out after 2 winters (aka 2years/2seasons) especially if your winters are spent on plowed & salted roads like towns/cities. After that they are just normal really great winter tires (without the special bite) X-ice is good on ice, great in snow, horrible in slush (you’ll fish tail on FWD/RWD) but they last long & they handle/sound like all seasons, they are very fuel efficient. I tried X-Ice but would prefer Blizzaks or the Nokian Hakka3s even for City driving in southern Ontario.
@@retiredrebel thank you
How anxious am I? how much looking up have I done?
enough to know that the Mazda CX30 or 5 has blizzaks (just by looking at the tread lol 3:42 )
great advice. A test of the best and the cheapest winter tire would be interesting to see.
I'm scared. Just reached out to a shop for a quote. Waiting to hear what they say
Next best thing All-weather tires and run them in the summer. I highly recommend Nokian WRG4 SUV.
Thanks for the tip!
The newer concept of “All weather” tires, not to be confused with “all season”, has been great in places I live like northern US, Cleveland Ohio where we get dumped on with lake effect snow, but also have majority of months with wet and dry pavement as well. The Michelin Cross Climate 2’s have been an incredible breakthrough in engineering, being they function as a winter tire in snow, but also cut through water and bite the dry road without wearing down. An amazing pick!
I use to be a fan of Nokian but they don’t make the size I need anymore. Had continental snow tires for 3 snow seasons and was never impressed even first year. Going with vresteim wintrwc pro this time around. The siphoning already is superior but I haven’t gotten them yet. Live in mountains of colorado and always have dedicated snow tires- only 6 will fit my size. Will never pay more than. 270 per tire it’s never worth it. Drive with winter tires and accordingly to conditions and you will be fine.
Thanks for sharing!
Update?
@@menlopark4966 not as grippy as the Nokians but better than the continental. Going into 2nd season with them. Was never stranded or felt that uneasy last year and it was a hard snowy winter. I honestly don’t have many choices in the size I need so I guess I can’t be that picky! Overall good snow tire. Probably get 4 seasons from them if I have to.
@@brodenmacarthur3955 how the traction on hard compacted snow and ice? That's what I'm most worried about. Had a scary situation with some other snow tires that I'm trying to avoid.
I have 14" tires on my 99 Camry. I'm sorta screwed for buying 14" snow tires. I picked Mastercraft Glaciers Trex made by Cooper. Did I mess up?
Those are pretty good. They are a new design from Cooper, much better than the old design Cooper used to sell.
I'm looking to buy a car in 2015 to 2018, Nissan about $ 18.000.00 or less. In gray black Rena Daniels
best advise I got. thanks.
4.5 second 0-60 Porsche with manual gearbox does need a particular tire
Good Stuff, Great Help, Good Tips 👍Thanks!
THANK YOU! I have always had SUV's and 4X4 trucks in the past, and 90% of the tires I ran on those year round was BFG AT's. (Severe winter rated to start with as a added bonus. Also had AWESOME results with the last set of Kumho AT's that were on my former Jeep Patriot 4X4.
However...............a while back I traded the Patriot for a Toyota PRIUS. And NOW...................now I am moving 700 miles away to a area that I will very likely be needing winter tires at least a couple of times this winter. And they dont make all terrain truck tires for a Prius. hahahaha! I was starting to panic. MY GOODNESS all the varieties' of snow tires for cars out there!!! 0_0 This vid helped a LOT!
Put the skinniest snows you can find and your prius will be impressive
Are uniroyal ice and snow a good ‘reputable’ brand?
i've had great results with goodyear ultra grabs
My Ford dealer only has these UniRoyals in stock and I’m suspect.
@@Bromeh Are the uniroyals already on your car? I just don't know if they're good or not.
@@louisborselio8608 not yet as I’m not sure about the brand or model either.
@@Bromeh I guess you can talk to the dealer about a trial run to see if the uniroyals meet your standards or a full money back refund. Can you get goodyears elsewhere if you're not happy? I'm not saying goodyears are better than uniroyals, but I do know they're very good.
well this didnt help at all
All you have to remember is that switching from all season to winter tires helps improve traction 90%. Spending extra for top quality tires will give you the remaining 10%
What about noise comfort. Cheaper winter tires are LOUD!
no way 90% . maybe 55% with a real expensive top brand . 90% no way
Cross climate 2 and never swap anything until you need new tires
They are junk
@@yamahass66 first I have ever seen anyone say this
Why?
I will just put it this way, buy Nokian winter tires period! You’re welcome.
I liked my bridgestone blizzaks better than the Nokian winter tires I had on my 2018 4x4 f150.
@@jennykirk9516 Which version of the Nokian's did you have vs which Blizzak's?
@@alextorkelson hakkepeliita r2 and my bridgesrones are blizzak dmv2
I need actual science. I just love how everybody argues about which tire is best and everyone has different results 😂
i know goodyear ultra grabs are good and Achilles winter 101 suck.
agreed
I’ve always had good luck with winter tires, however the current tires I have now are absolute GARBAGE.
I’ve never felt so unsafe on the road as I have with the tires I currently own.
I’ve had cheap GT radials to Gislaved tires. the BF tires on my car now have scared me half to death multiple times.
You can’t just buy a winter tire and say whatever.
No its really very simple. buy Michelin.
You look like Hunter Biden 😆
Minus the meth pipe ! And after he got his meth mouth fixed, with a new set of choppers.....
He finally found a job.
NOKIAN is no1 for winter...
I believed this myth years ago. It proved to be mediocre in mountains winter, at best.
Nokian used to CHEAT on tyre tests by supplying custom-made tyres. This disqualifies the brand for me forever.
There’s a lot riding on your tires. Get studded.
Studded aren't legal everywhere.
Not my problem, they are completely legal where I live.
Omg
If you're a good driver, you wouldn't need expensive tires.
Makes zero sense, but ok.
Ok Fernando Alonso 🤡🤣
@@GSPA100 only in emergency situations would a person need good tires. If you're not maintaining 3 cars length, then you shouldn't be driving in the first place.
@beeda69 Do you drive in Canadian winters? I had my summers on beginning of November and a snowfall hit. I could not stop the car to turn on another street. I could barely take off from a red light. I was an extreme hazard on the road and everyone was at risk.
@@GSPA100 yes, i use winter tires during winter and maintain a bigger gap. Michelin or Used winter tires, it ain't gonna stop if you speed and don't maintain distance. Also, i live in one of the coldest parts of Canada
This video have zero useful information