So essentially change your tires in October, right before the temp reaches 7 and there are lineups at the service centers for the winter change over.
End of Oct / early November.
Early October temps still hit 20*C which will chew through those winters and make them slush
Are there any specific recommended winter tires for 2014 mazda 3 gs? This will be the first year I'm looking to get winters (I couldn't afford it last year). Price is a factor but if something that'd be essentially all-seasons in year 2 or 3, I'd be willing to spend a bit more.
To add to Original topic -
Try getting quotes on comparable overall diameters.
For used I have used uniroyal tiger paws and firestone winterforce. I bought my new bridgestone blizzaks in july. The shop was trying to get rid of them so $660 for the set, 225/50/17
That's why you have winters on separate rims and you do the change overs yourself.
My car is parked underground and this allows me to stretch out my summer tire use to the max while saving the precious Blizzak compound for actual winter use. Last year was a super warm winter and I changed over end of November but could have gone easily into December but my insurance discounts require the winters are on by end of November max.
Looking at the 14 day forecast, looks like I will be doing mid to late November again this year...
The key to winter tire longevity is good alignment, proper inflation and only running them during the right conditions. I'm on track for 4 full seasons on my WS80's with the special compound (which is only 60% of the tread depth).
I like the Hankook I-Pikes RS's. Great performance over the past 2 winters and I bought them for a reasonable price. Just under $600 for a set of 205/50R17.
I agree, I have a set of Hancook I pike RS, grip great and both my parents have these tires. Highly recommend these tires to anyone!