All Season Tire suggestions

[Broli]

Question


First off, this is a great site with chock full of awesome info. But the point of my post now isn't to praise, but I was hoping if someone could point me in a direction of getting some good all-season tires for the 3 with 16" rims.

Why all-season? First off, I've had the car for 1.5 years and in those 1.5 years I've driven over 65,000km (yup I commute a LOT), and already the tires are toast. Also having 2 sets of tires (winter and summer), just isn't cost efficient for me since I drive so damn much, not to mention the lack of space I have since I love in a townhouse condo.

Just tonite as you all know I thankfully braved the storm and managed to inch myself up the massive Yonge St. south hill just after York Mills. So as I finally came home, I realized that the tread pattern was next to nothing, and by nothing, I mean like a few mm's higher than the bottom of a coin sitting inside the tread. Yes it's VERY stupid of me, but I know that already :)

So, could someone please point to a good set of all-seasons that'll do me well in winter and be good enough for daily grind driving in the summer?

Thanks everyone in advance and I hope to be able to contribute more in future, but in the meantime I'm in need of some help for tire selections! :)


Response






zerogun, you'll find many all season tires that will do the job. My friends have the Goodyear Triple Tread and they are happy with it. You're still better off with a dedicated set of winters but sometimes we all can't afford $800 for an extra set of winters.


any other suggestions, please post them in this thread!

[MajesticBlueNTO]

zerogun, if you've got the cash for an UHP All-Season, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=055YR6SPORTAS&fromCompare1=yes&place=6) is probably one of the better all-season performance tires (i believe it came stock on the G35c a few years ago)

TireRack has a comparison between regular all-seasons where the TripleTread comes out on top (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=AS&width=205%2F&ratio=55&diameter=16&tireSearch=true)

on the cheap side, the Falken ZE-512 (http://www.tiretrends.com/tire_info.php3?detailID=6858) aren't a bad tire for the price.

[Kevin@nextmod]

The falken 512 i will not recommend. My friend got that for his accord and it sucked ass in winter in snow. But in the summer they are pretty good with water and they are grippy.

And +1 on the michelin pilot tires. My parents have a set on there camry and they are good in snow and wet, but ice you gotta be careful.

[brokenfinn]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=16179

Sorry for the rudeness shown towards you Mr. zerogun. I really can't help, but here's a 'nicer rant' :)

Really, I can't recommend any allseason, because I firmly believe that there is no excuse for NOT owning winters (unless you DON'T drive in the winter). The traction in the winter and summer are superior because you are using the correct tire for the corresponding season.
I know it costs money, but the cost is offset by the fact that both your winters and summers last almost twice as long because you are only using them for 1/2 year. Therefore the cost is basically a set of steelies.
I drive alot as well. I have put on over 60000 kms a year in the past, owned 10 different cars, and probably 15-20 different tires.

I believe that it is the cost of safety. It protects your insurance, your own life, most importantly other peoples lives around you.

BUT, if you insist on 'no-seasons' :) .... I'd suggest you look into the higher end of Hankook or Kuhmo tires. The Korean's are making the best value in tires. E-mail or call Tires 23, They sponsor this forum and have great prices and service! Good luck!
Michael

[Flagrum_3]

zerogun, if you've got the cash for an UHP All-Season, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+A%2FS&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=055YR6SPORTAS&fromCompare1=yes&place=6) is probably one of the better all-season performance tires (i believe it came stock on the G35c a few years ago)

TireRack has a comparison between regular all-seasons where the TripleTread comes out on top (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=AS&width=205%2F&ratio=55&diameter=16&tireSearch=true)

on the cheap side, the Falken ZE-512 (http://www.tiretrends.com/tire_info.php3?detailID=6858) aren't a bad tire for the price.

In addition to the above, you might try the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S high performance all seasons, their not quite the 'high performance' as the Pilot Sport A/S but better in the all season category and with the bonus of very long thread life to boot.


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[RedRaptor]

[url]
BUT, if you insist on 'no-seasons' :)

I don't know if the Mazda3 is the first car for most people here but it sure seems like it. Good all season tires are "3 seasons". You might believe that most all season tires are like the Goodyear RSAs. This is NOT the case. There are some very decent and excellent all season tires. The general theme on the board is to bash all season tires because for first time car owners, they think the RSAs represent 99.9% of the all season tires out there. The RSAs are a "no seasons" tire, well maybe one season (on a hot summer day) but I can ensure everyone, there are some very good all season tires out there. So don't let the blind and stupid lead you astray.

Another suggestion I have for all seasons are the Pirelli P3000. My family van is riding on the previous generation of hte P3000 model and a friend of mine has had the P3000 for a year now.

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Pirelli&tiremodel=P3000+Cinturato+M%26S

[Wild Weasel]

The only all-season tires that are winter appropriate are those with the little mountain and snowflake logo on them. I know the GoodYear Triple-Treads have them and I think there's at least one other brand that does.

They're not as good as winter tires in the snow... and not as good as summer tires in the warm season... but I wouldn't shoot someone down for using them year-round.

No others are acceptable for driving in snow.

All seasons do have a purpose. They're generally a harder compound and last longer than summer tires. They're safe to use in cold temperatures in the absense of snow or ice. They're actually pretty good for year-round use in Toronto SO LONG AS YOU DON'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW.

Yesterday's storm didn't come as a big surprise. They were talking about it coming since Wednesday afternoon so anyone caught driving in it chose to do so. I know I did. I knew I wouldn't get stuck.

The morons who couldn't drive up hills though and held traffic up all over the place should all have been charged. They should send tow trucks around to pick them up.

"Sir, you're gonna have to move your car. Now."

"I can't. Sorry. I'm retarded and can't drive my car up this hill."

"Sir, you've got 2 minutes to get this car out of here or it's being towed to the impound yard."

If you wreck your car on the 401, you don't get to wait for your mechanic to show up and fix it for you. Your car gets towed away to clear the highway. Why should it be any different when your stupid ass simply can't drive it because of the snow? It should still be cleared away at your expense.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

The only all-season tires that are winter appropriate are those with the little mountain and snowflake logo on them. I know the GoodYear Triple-Treads have them and I think there's at least one other brand that does.

They're not as good as winter tires in the snow... and not as good as summer tires in the warm season... but I wouldn't shoot someone down for using them year-round.

No others are acceptable for driving in snow.

All seasons do have a purpose. They're generally a harder compound and last longer than summer tires. They're safe to use in cold temperatures in the absense of snow or ice. They're actually pretty good for year-round use in Toronto SO LONG AS YOU DON'T DRIVE IN THE SNOW.

Yesterday's storm didn't come as a big surprise. They were talking about it coming since Wednesday afternoon so anyone caught driving in it chose to do so. I know I did. I knew I wouldn't get stuck.

The morons who couldn't drive up hills though and held traffic up all over the place should all have been charged. They should send tow trucks around to pick them up.

"Sir, you're gonna have to move your car. Now."

"I can't. Sorry. I'm retarded and can't drive my car up this hill."

"Sir, you've got 2 minutes to get this car out of here or it's being towed to the impound yard."

If you wreck your car on the 401, you don't get to wait for your mechanic to show up and fix it for you. Your car gets towed away to clear the highway. Why should it be any different when your stupid ass simply can't drive it because of the snow? It should still be cleared away at your expense.

Nokian WR is the other tire RAC certified (and their old NRW) that they brand as an "all-weather" tire.

you're still generalizing zerogun into the "stupid all-season drivers" camp since he does/did indeed drive in yesterday's snow with worn all-seasons.

it isn't the snow per se that is the achilles heel of no-season tires, it is the fact that the GTA uses salt on the roads. slush is far worse to drive in than packed snow.

what would be better is to plow the snow and throw down copious amounts of sand/grit like they do up north. i've driven in regina in snow (and cold) far worse than yesterdays storm in a rental with no-seasons and never once got stuck (granted the idea of a hill in the prairies is up the driveway into a mall parking lot).

[TheProfessor]

I for one will advise against the ZE512's from Falken. I had these tires and while there were great for the money they were utterly useless when the temp got cold and/or during even slight snow or slush.

[Flagrum_3]

Nokian WR is the other tire RAC certified (and their old NRW) that they brand as an "all-weather" tire.

you're still generalizing zerogun into the "stupid all-season drivers" camp since he does/did indeed drive in yesterday's snow with worn all-seasons.

it isn't the snow per se that is the achilles heel of no-season tires, it is the fact that the GTA uses salt on the roads. slush is far worse to drive in than packed snow.


Dare I add maybe inexperience, ( I know I'm going to hear it about this ) but, I and many I know have driven thru winters most of our driving lives on all seasons and even regular bias-ply tires at one point-(If anyone still remembers what those were). I personally have never been in an accident, averted many accidents and believe me its not a wise tale when people say winters now are nothing compared to say 20-30 years ago...Anyways my point is maybe its not so much the tires causing the problems but the people driving on them, as mentioned somewhere above even people with snow tires were having serious problems yesterday and many many times I've seen vehicles with all wheel drive or traction control or snow tires in the ditch or against the guard rail!
A good set of All-seasons (not the crapass RSAs), will get you thru any winter we'll see here in the GTA as long as 'Driving Sense' is used.
But on the other hand I would never tell someone not to purchase snow tires, especially to those with little experience or those whom might just find a sense of security by doing so.

IMHO,


_3


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[TheProfessor]

True enough Ron, even though I have winters it wasn't exactly a cake walk on the way home last night. I still had to drive with extreme caution and be mindful of what was going on around me.

[Whos ur dadd]

Trying to get up the hill at Bayview and Eglinton, it was clear who had snow tires and who did not. Twas really scary. Even my car with winters (but RWD) had a little difficulty getting up the hill.

Not that I add anything to this thread, but I think winter tires are a necessary cost of owning a car, especially for someone who commutes so much. If the cost of winter tires is too much, then perhaps a less expensive car choice should have been made. Thanks for the bandwidth.

[Whos ur dadd]

Dare I add maybe inexperience, ( I know I'm going to hear it about this ) but, I and many I know have driven thru winters most of our driving lives on all seasons and even regular bias-ply tires at one point-(If anyone still remembers what those were). I personally have never been in an accident, averted many accidents and believe me its not a wise tale when people say winters now are nothing compared to say 20-30 years ago...Anyways my point is maybe its not so much the tires causing the problems but the people driving on them, as mentioned somewhere above even people with snow tires were having serious problems yesterday and many many times I've seen vehicles with all wheel drive or traction control or snow tires in the ditch or against the guard rail!
A good set of All-seasons (not the crapass RSAs), will get you thru any winter we'll see here in the GTA as long as 'Driving Sense' is used.
But on the other hand I would never tell someone not to purchase snow tires, especially to those with little experience or those whom might just find a sense of security by doing so.

IMHO,


_3


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'cept when we were growing up, it was okay to hold the baby in your arms in the front seat. :P

[Flagrum_3]

'cept when we were growing up, it was okay to hold the baby in your arms in the front seat. :P


Unforunately thats still happening today at an alarming rate! and kids bobbing around the back seat too! ...Can never figure people out!


_3


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[MZ3_GS]

Yokohama H4s/V4s
Yokohama TRZ
Michelin Hydroedge
BFGoodrich Traction T/A
Bridgestone Potenza G 009
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Fuzion HRi

[baymoe]

I've also experienced driving in light snow with the Falken Ziex512s. They were one of worst tires in the snow/winter time to use. They wore out fast during regular driving so I wouldn't recommend them. The Tripletreds from Goodyear looks like a good year-round tire to use.

[Tires23]

For 16" all season tires, some of the best choices: (good winter/wet traction and wear life)

Yokohama TRZ
Goodyear Triple Tread
Hankook H727

Shoot me an email or PM for pricing

Thanks

[zerogun]

nice nice...thanks guys for the warm welcome. I've been in the forum game and car game a long time now. I've seen my days of net trolls and e-thugs all too often so obviously the prior thread was an act of infantism towards others from particular members.

anyway, all great suggestions and I'll check them out tonite when I get some time. I do believe firmly in snow tires as well, I used to run Nokian Hakkapellita (sp) on my Civic, but with the 3 and my place of abode, I am unable to get 2 sets of tires.

thanks again for the warm welcome. *applaud*

[rinse]

How long do all-seasons last in comparison to summer tires?

[majic]

km wise, probably the same, season wise.. probably 2/3s of summer tires

have a look at UTQG ratings to get a rough idea but it'll of course differ from tire to tire

[Flagrum_3]

How long do all-seasons last in comparison to summer tires?

Depends what you mean..if its tread-life your talking about then a 'high quality' set of all-seasons can last 100k-140k, summers maybe half the first number if your lucky...My last 2 sets of All-seasons lasted 130k and 140k.

If its the "period with which you can use them during the year" then your looking at probably April to late November for all seasons whereas summers should not be driven anytime where the temps are nearing 5 degrees, reason being the compounds on summers will get too hard turning them basically into slicks,this would in most cases force you to a much shorter period with which you can safely leave your summers on.


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[Wild Weasel]

If they turned into slicks, that would be wicked on cold dry days!! :bana

I don't think you meant to say what you said though.

Basically, it turns them into the equivilant of frozen hockey pucks. Great for sliding. Not so great for gripping. That's why tires are rubber rather than hard plastic. :chuckle

[Flagrum_3]

Slicks, hockey pucks, whats the difference? You know what I meant.
Oh and I failed to mention I used my all-seasons all year round too... ;-)


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[Wild Weasel]

Slicks are ultra-high-performance racing tires with no rain grooves on them. They stick like glue when used as designed!

If you're suggesting that the summer tires will act like slicks would in freezing weather then that's wrong as well, since even though they'll be frozen, they'll still have grooves in them.

[Flagrum_3]

FYI; "Slicks" is also a slang term for almost bald tires...thats what I meant.I was not pertaining to racing slicks......happy?


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[TB76]

Pricey, and even decent in the winter

Bridgestone RE960 A/S. #1 ultra high performance A/S on tirerack. 400 tread rating.

[b]

Slicks are ultra-high-performance racing tires with no rain grooves on them. They stick like glue when used as designed!

If you're suggesting that the summer tires will act like slicks would in freezing weather then that's wrong as well, since even though they'll be frozen, they'll still have grooves in them.

Reading this post makes me want to pull my eyes out with a staple remover. You clearly knew what he meant.


FYI; "Slicks" is also a slang term for almost bald tires...thats what I meant.I was not pertaining to racing slicks......happy?

_3

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Ha ha WW is never happy. The tire shop I deal with always uses the words Slicks & pucks... so you are right it is common term.

[Nextmod]

I sell lots of Falken 512's but I always tell the customers to get winter tires lol

just installed a set of 615's for a customer last week then it started snowing as soon as he left. hope he got home okay lol