Best winter tires for mazda3 plus toronto winters?

[faibs]

what are you guys using, is there a significant difference between all the brands
blizzaks, x-ice, snow carving, w300, garits???

[TheProfessor]

IMO probably the best winter tires out there are made by a company called Nokian. Unfortunately they are quite pricey. It's tough to say which tires are the 'best' as many factors play a role like price, type of driving, location (for me Toronto is pretty vague as it could mean downtown where there is liimited snow or up in Newmarket where there is way more) etc.

I personally have the Viking Snowtechs which for the money proved to be an excellent tire throughout last winter. They were rated #2 by Consumer Reports in a test which included some pretty big name tire companies.

[PlatMS6]

I had the Kumho KW19 on my Mazda3, I was completely satisfied with them and would have used them on the new beast if I could. They were kind of over the top for the GTA but with the 3's 1 wheel winter burnouts in winter having the bigger blocks helped.

People had bought the KW17 and were happy with them around the GTA, however they do get worn pretty quick.

I have decided to go with the Hankook W300 Icebears this year in the 17 225/50/17.

They do have a sporty tread but alot of Subaru users in the GTA like em for the $$$ and they tend to last a couple of seasons. (3 is all I want/expect)

I know some ppl on here went with them when the KW17 sold out as well and did not regret it.

[majic]

i have the w300s and 2 winters later i still love them..

their dry performance is VERY good and changing lanes through slush/snow is a breeze... they were fairly cheap when i bought them too

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..

[RedRaptor]

People had bought the KW17 and were happy with them around the GTA, however they do get worn pretty quick.


Can you even get the KW17s anymore? Seems like they either sold out or go for a premium nowadays.

I bought my set of KW17s two years ago and I've put over 10,000km over two winters. I wouldn't say they wear out quickly as myself and wtom have more than 85%+ treadwear left. But I guess it depends how hard you drive.

TheProfessor is right tho. Nokians are the "best" when it comes to winter tires.

[fourtrack78]

TheProfessor is right tho. Nokians are the "best" when it comes to winter tires.

Well i have Nexen EUROWIN(E/W)-550 first winter last year and i had no problems with them put about 4000 kms on them and still alot of tread left(still have the the little rubber spikes on them, just like if it was new). I wanted the KW17 but nobody had them @ the time.

[faibs]

I personally have the Viking Snowtechs which for the money proved to be an excellent tire throughout last winter. They were rated #2 by Consumer Reports in a test which included some pretty big name tire companies.


who was number 1?
also i am doing a lot of driving in Buffalo. and im not too sure about the rating system, can someone explain it briefly please

[PlatMS6]

Consumer Reports are pretty reckless with the ratings. The Vikings almost fared at the bottom of their 2006 report. While in 2005 were 2nd.

Also their tests are nowhere close to what major test bodies put out in the rest of the world and in the states. One major problem that I see is that they never release how they test or grade the tires during those tests.

Highly unrealiable.

I trust 1010 tires/tiretrends and the liek for ppl reviews. Even tho there are is some bias out there.

[fourtrack78]

I personally have the Viking Snowtechs which for the money proved to be an excellent tire throughout last winter. They were rated #2 by Consumer Reports in a test which included some pretty big name tire companies.


who was number 1?
also i am doing a lot of driving in Buffalo. and im not too sure about the rating system, can someone explain it briefly please


I think bridgestone blizzaks are # number1 and too much $$$. If you notice nobdy hear has posted prices for those.

[faibs]

looks like pirelli , michelin and bridgestone are just too expensive, since tehy are all in the same price range.

will i be safe in huge snow storms with the hankook w300?

[RedRaptor]

looks like pirelli , michelin and bridgestone are just too expensive, since tehy are all in the same price range.

will i be safe in huge snow storms with the hankook w300?


I think you are putting WAY TOO much into the brand name of the winter tire. Your question is pretty vague. In huge snow storms and a 18 wheeler comes crashing into you, then NO, you won't be safe no matter what winter tires you have on.

You have to determine your driving habits and route before anything. If you are driving within the GTA (Scar, North York, Sauga, Richmond Hill, etc etc), then you are fine with most winter tires as we don't get that much snow as places such as Barrie.

I've said this before...winter tires only help so much. Most of winter driving starts with the driver and his skills and a little bit of luck, since most people on the road not only do not have winter tires but are driving balding all season tires.

Goodluck!

[faibs]

looks like pirelli , michelin and bridgestone are just too expensive, since tehy are all in the same price range.

will i be safe in huge snow storms with the hankook w300?


I think you are putting WAY TOO much into the brand name of the winter tire. Your question is pretty vague. In huge snow storms and a 18 wheeler comes crashing into you, then NO, you won't be safe no matter what winter tires you have on.

You have to determine your driving habits and route before anything. If you are driving within the GTA (Scar, North York, Sauga, Richmond Hill, etc etc), then you are fine with most winter tires as we don't get that much snow as places such as Barrie.

I've said this before...winter tires only help so much. Most of winter driving starts with the driver and his skills and a little bit of luck, since most people on the road not only do not have winter tires but are driving balding all season tires.

Goodluck!

thanks for your reply.
ok ill try to clarify a bit, i will be driving a lot in the GTA early mornings and late nights (before plows hit the road) aswell as driving to buffalo (heavy snow i am assuming) i just need a tire that will handle itself very well in these conditions.

[TheProfessor]

What's your price point?

Edit: Here is a blurb from CR about winter tires - http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/special/press_release.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=792865&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=156209

[faibs]

Hopefully, from 600-750

[FLIPDADY]

Blizzaks are good but once the streets are dry say goodbye.

I've had my Kumho KW19's since Nov./04 They've been through an ice storm going to Michigan and many trips up to North Bay and Huntsville in white out conditions. They are still available as well as the KW17's.

[faibs]

Blizzaks are good but once the streets are dry say goodbye.

I've had my Kumho KW19's since Nov./04 They've been through an ice storm going to Michigan and many trips up to North Bay and Huntsville in white out conditions. They are still available as well as the KW17's.

Im assuming you are saying that they did a great job??
u have these on ur 3?

[Skarbro]

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..


Those ratings are speed ratings.* They aren't directly related to softness/hardness (which is measured by a durometer).* You can have two tires with the same durometer rating with different speed ratings. H-rated tires are rated for higher speeds than S, T and Q though.*

My Pirelli Winter Carving tires are T-rated - which is just faster than the speed limiter.* *;)* I haven't yet driven them through winter, but they are really good on dry so far.

[majic]

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..


Those ratings are speed ratings. They aren't directly related to softness/hardness (which is measured by a durometer). You can have two tires with the same durometer rating with different speed ratings. H-rated tires are rated for higher speeds than S, T and Q though.

My Pirelli Winter Carving tires are T-rated - which is just faster than the speed limiter. ;) I haven't yet driven them through winter, but they are really good on dry so far.



i know what those ratings are.. :-\

a softer tire (what the lower speed rating WINTER tires are) will wear out faster (especially if you drive on the 407).. there's no UTQG for winter tires.. they are their own beasts altogether.. anyway.. i am happy with my H rated w300s since often the roads are cleared of snow and they grip very well in those conditions as well

also to the OP, do you need steelies as well? if so add about $50-60 per corner..

[faibs]

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..


Those ratings are speed ratings. They aren't directly related to softness/hardness (which is measured by a durometer). You can have two tires with the same durometer rating with different speed ratings. H-rated tires are rated for higher speeds than S, T and Q though.

My Pirelli Winter Carving tires are T-rated - which is just faster than the speed limiter. ;) I haven't yet driven them through winter, but they are really good on dry so far.



i know what those ratings are.. :-\

a softer tire (what the lower speed rating WINTER tires are) will wear out faster (especially if you drive on the 407).. there's no UTQG for winter tires.. they are their own beasts altogether.. anyway.. i am happy with my H rated w300s since often the roads are cleared of snow and they grip very well in those conditions as well

also to the OP, do you need steelies as well? if so add about $50-60 per corner..

ya imgetting steelies and figure its about 200-250 for the set

how are the w300's in snow before the roads are cleared?

[Skarbro]

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..


Those ratings are speed ratings.* They aren't directly related to softness/hardness (which is measured by a durometer).* You can have two tires with the same durometer rating with different speed ratings.* H-rated tires are rated for higher speeds than S, T and Q though.*

My Pirelli Winter Carving tires are T-rated - which is just faster than the speed limiter.* *;)* I haven't yet driven them through winter, but they are really good on dry so far.



i know what those ratings are..* :-\

a softer tire (what the lower speed rating WINTER tires are) will wear out faster (especially if you drive on the 407).. there's no UTQG for winter tires.. they are their own beasts altogether.. anyway.. i am happy with my H rated w300s since often the roads are cleared of snow and they grip very well in those conditions as well

also to the OP, do you need steelies as well? if so add about $50-60 per corner..


Again - the speed ratings do not correlate with the durometer of a winter tire. Just because a winter tire has a lower speed rating, it doesnt mean it is softer. ;)

[majic]

it all boils down to how and where you drive.. for the GTA area i would suggest H rated tires (such as the w300s) b/c they will last you longer and they still perform very well in the winter.. the softer tires (S, T and Q rated) tend to be better for ICE and they would wear out faster during regular (dry highway) driving..


Those ratings are speed ratings. They aren't directly related to softness/hardness (which is measured by a durometer). You can have two tires with the same durometer rating with different speed ratings. H-rated tires are rated for higher speeds than S, T and Q though.

My Pirelli Winter Carving tires are T-rated - which is just faster than the speed limiter. ;) I haven't yet driven them through winter, but they are really good on dry so far.



i know what those ratings are.. :-\

a softer tire (what the lower speed rating WINTER tires are) will wear out faster (especially if you drive on the 407).. there's no UTQG for winter tires.. they are their own beasts altogether.. anyway.. i am happy with my H rated w300s since often the roads are cleared of snow and they grip very well in those conditions as well

also to the OP, do you need steelies as well? if so add about $50-60 per corner..

ya imgetting steelies and figure its about 200-250 for the set

how are the w300's in snow before the roads are cleared?


to be honest, those are my first snows .. but if it means anything i've gone to blue mountain for snowboarding and a road trip to mtrl.. it's like the HIDs of tires (for winter) can't compare to stock..

as for skarboro.. whatever.. not going to continue a battle of wits with someone who comes unarmed.. (or thinks is armed to the t!ts)

[faibs]

i am just about to buy them but Consumer reports didnt rate them so well

[Skarbro]

as for skarboro.. whatever.. not going to continue a battle of wits with someone who comes unarmed.. (or thinks is armed to the t!ts)

Battle of wits? I'm merely pointing out that there is no correlation between speed ratings and the durometer ratings of tires. All a speed rating tells you is how fast you can safely spin the tire before it becomes unstable and can potentially break up. Google it if you don't believe me.

BTW, I'm not trying to be confontational. I'm too old for childish battles on the internet. Just carring on a discussion...

[TheProfessor]

i am just about to buy them but Consumer reports didnt rate them so well


IMO CR should only be one of many sources for your investigations on which tire to buy.

[Wild Weasel]

If anyone cares, I run Blizzak WS-50's on my Sunfire and was very happy with them last year. Amazing in the few days we had real snow last year and perfectly fine on dry pavement as well.