Best snow tire for wet roads?

[snowfiend]

first off, where I live it doesn't snow. So these tires/wheels would only be on when I am going on planned trips to tahoe. its a 2 hour trip, with about 1:15 on either dry or wet roads. the last 45 minutes could be anywhere from sunny to blizzard.

 

I guess I need something that gives better wet performance? Although since they would only be going on when I am going to the snow, should I be looking for a good *snow* tire?

 

I have never shopped for winter tires before and need some help

[squishyface]

blizzaks... Portland members like them alot, and roll them into late spring early summer sometimes. And Oregon gets some rain. Problem is, they are a little bit more expensive, but worth every penny!

[krzyss]

Which Blizzaks? LM or WS?

 

Krzys

[squishyface]

I believe it's really personal pref.

[RochNY91TSI]

You'll find WS's more squishy than LM's, at least in my experience. Both are decent though

[nm]

Given that you're coming up from Folsom, get Nokian WRs.

They won't be negatively impacted by the warm temps down in the valley and will perform very well in the snow. They ahve good dry road performance. They also have extremely good wet traction.

In snow they're good enough that I've used them as a snow tire in Minnesota.

they aren't cheap, but given limited use, they'll last a really, really long time (as in you'll be replacing them for age, not wear)

 

Blizzaks are a bad idea, as when you're down in the 60F degree temps in the velley, they'll wear poorly. WRs will also have much better dry road perfomance.

[snowfiend]

Given that you're coming up from Folsom, get Nokian WRs.

They won't be negatively impacted by the warm temps down in the valley and will perform very well in the snow. They ahve good dry road performance. They also have extremely good wet traction.

In snow they're good enough that I've used them as a snow tire in Minnesota.

they aren't cheap, but given limited use, they'll last a really, really long time (as in you'll be replacing them for age, not wear)

 

Blizzaks are a bad idea, as when you're down in the 60F degree temps in the velley, they'll wear poorly. WRs will also have much better dry road perfomance.

Great info. The only time I will have the snow tires on is for specific trips to tahoe. they will be put on before I leave, and taken off once I get back. So I dont think I want a "performance" winter tire, just something that will get me to the slopes when no one else wants to go

[nm]

Great info. The only time I will have the snow tires on is for specific trips to tahoe. they will be put on before I leave, and taken off once I get back. So I dont think I want a "performance" winter tire, just something that will get me to the slopes when no one else wants to go

The Nokian WR will do that as well as nearly all traction tires. If it won't go, Caltrans has closed the road.

The best traction snow tire I've ever used is the Nokian RSI, but I think that would be overkill, and would not perform as well when the roads are clear.

[mwiener2]

If you are planning on use these as you say you are... then you should get a purpose built snow and ice tire. They wear very fast on dry pavement, but if you're only gonna put <500 miles on them a year, they'll probably dry rot before you wear them out.

 

I'd start with a Blizzak WS. The LM is a performance winter and sacrafices some bad weather traction for all weather traction.

 

I'd even consider studded tires.

[DrCloud]

Given your plan...

 

If I were driving from Folsom to Tahoe for day-skiing (meaning back home that same night), I'd go for Nokian WRs as my first choice, as they're Nokian's version of an all-season tire. I ran them on an STi as winter tires (for the performance rating and size availability) in the New Mexico and Colorado mountains and they were outstanding.

 

On the other hand, if the Tahoe trips were for several days (i.e., staying up there, possibly getting snowed on repeatedly, making lots of local trips), I think I'd go with MWeiner's suggestion about studded tires. They make a huge difference in the worst conditions. HPH

[mwiener2]

The nokian is still a compromise. A better tire for that route is a Wintersport M3 or 3D

[Guest]

The nokian is still a compromise. A better tire for that route is a Wintersport M3 or 3D

 

Do you have experience with both to make such a statement?

[mwiener2]

yes

[snowfiend]

Given your plan...

 

If I were driving from Folsom to Tahoe for day-skiing (meaning back home that same night), I'd go for Nokian WRs as my first choice, as they're Nokian's version of an all-season tire. I ran them on an STi as winter tires (for the performance rating and size availability) in the New Mexico and Colorado mountains and they were outstanding.

 

On the other hand, if the Tahoe trips were for several days (i.e., staying up there, possibly getting snowed on repeatedly, making lots of local trips), I think I'd go with MWeiner's suggestion about studded tires. They make a huge difference in the worst conditions. HPH

 

not only to tahoe, but to lake almanor/mt lassen as well. that is a 3.5 hour drive, with only the last hour wet/snowy. So I think that crosses any studded tires off the list. I would like to stay the night occasionally, helps to get first chair

[Metal2You]

I thought studded tire were difficult to come by. Which models should I look at?

[nm]

not only to tahoe, but to lake almanor/mt lassen as well. that is a 3.5 hour drive, with only the last hour wet/snowy. So I think that crosses any studded tires off the list. I would like to stay the night occasionally, helps to get first chair

You see this sells me on WRs even more. They are a extremely good tire in the dry. And again, honestly, yunless you're going to be trying to conquer Mormon Immigrant trail in the middle of winter (out of states, it's not plowed in the winter), they'll give you more than enough snow and ice traction.

Cal-trans shuts down the highways well before you'd need even an RSI over a WR. Caltrans shuts highways down before chains are required on AWD most of the time.

 

FWIW, in my old FWD passat was able to travel with snow at about mid plate and not get stuck. Never did get stuck in with those, even in low speed, deep snow situations. Relatively highspeed with packed snow was also very good.

 

I wish LGTs could mount 16in, I have some good condition 16in WRs my brother used for the same duty located in Sacramento right now

 

Now if you're going to be on basically unplowed, low volume roads, then something studded would be a decent idea, but unless you need to go balls out on a studded tire, the WRs will be perfect.

[rjundi]

Michelin X-Ice and Blizzack WS perform on par with studded tires except in extremely icy conditions(but close). However if you encounter ice it may be best to not drive as other drivers likely don't have great tires and the chance of an accident is too high. Wait for the sander....

 

I will say my current Nokian WR G2 perform incredibly well on wet conditions like rain, slush(even deeper), and wetter snow. I think better than dedicated winter tires I have used like Blizzack WS-50's and Michelin Artic Alpins.

[Guest]

yes

 

Cool... can you elaborate on how Nokian WRs compare to the Dunlops?

[snowfiend]

You see this sells me on WRs even more. They are a extremely good tire in the dry. And again, honestly, yunless you're going to be trying to conquer Mormon Immigrant trail in the middle of winter (out of states, it's not plowed in the winter), they'll give you more than enough snow and ice traction.

Cal-trans shuts down the highways well before you'd need even an RSI over a WR. Caltrans shuts highways down before chains are required on AWD most of the time.

 

FWIW, in my old FWD passat was able to travel with snow at about mid plate and not get stuck. Never did get stuck in with those, even in low speed, deep snow situations. Relatively highspeed with packed snow was also very good.

 

I wish LGTs could mount 16in, I have some good condition 16in WRs my brother used for the same duty located in Sacramento right now

 

Now if you're going to be on basically unplowed, low volume roads, then something studded would be a decent idea, but unless you need to go balls out on a studded tire, the WRs will be perfect.

 

I think these WR's are going to be the ticket. The snow is just so wet out here compared to places like colorado or idaho that if its not actually snowing, its going to be packed pretty hard or removed already

[Josh775]

Make sure you check out the Nokian WR G2 as it has replaced the Nokian WR. The G2's will be a more comfortable ride on the dry pavement because of the inside out tread design and still give you unbelievable snow performance.

[mwiener2]

inside out tread design?

 

 

it's smooth on the outside with the tread on the inside? Won't slip on the rim I guess

[SubiGT]

For a 17x7 alloy wheel, what tire size would be better in terms of overall winter performance and safety? 205/50-17(taller/skinnier) or 225/45-17(shorter/fatter)

 

They both measure out to roughly the same(theoretical) diameter.

 

Tire would be Dunlop WS 3D's

 

This will be my first set of dedicated winter rubber as well.

[nm]

You want the narrower tire for snow performance.

[SubiGT]

thanks

[ilh]

I'm happy running 205/50R17 Nokian RSi on stock rims. I don't see the need to go wider with winter tires. These are already almost exactly the same width as the stock RE92s, which are narrow for their size.

 

The RSi are pretty good on wet roads with their aggressive directional tread. Having said that, my next winter tires will likely be Dunlop 3D or maybe Michelin PA3. I don't think I need the RSi here northwest of Boston more than a few days a year, and I wouldn't mind a bit more "performance" (i.e., less squirm) for the rest of the time on dry/wet roads.

 

--Lee