Hi all,

I'm sure this has been done to death but I haven't found a recent thread on the subject (if I'm missing something, please point me in the right direction - I'm sneaking this in during a busy day at work).

The subject line nutshells what I'm looking for, but the specifics: I live in Western MA at ~450 feet and work at ~1400 feet. I drive about 275 miles/week just for work and maybe 300 miles/week altogether. In the two snows we've had so far, my stock Dunlops have (obviously) been crap, and seeing as how I'd love not to die while commuting, I need snows.

I'm thinking about the Nokian Nordman 5s, the R2s, Blizzak WS80s, and the Michelin xi3s. (I'd love the Nokian Hakk 8s but they're a little out of my range). I'd be interested in recommendations for/against any of these, as well as the question of studs/no studs.

Also, minus sizing? Yes or no?

In crafting your responses, please assume I'm an idiot when it comes to details.

Thanks so much!

 

My recommendation: -1 sizing to 14", Michelin X-Ice3 snows. I did last winter with them and they are really good.

My previous car had 15" rims, I went with 15" snows. They were good. For my 2016 Fit the tire store recommended -1 sizing to 14". The sidewalls would be taller, for more shock absorption, but the overall circumference would be the same as a 15" tire. The -1 sizing 14" tires are narrower, sink down into the snow better and with a smaller contact patch, grip the ice and snow better.

The Michelin X-Ice3s have a $70 rebate on right now, but I'm sure competitors have the same.

Of course I was sceptical about -1 sizing 14" snows, but went through last winter with them. Huge grip, even in deep snow, even if the Fit's front is only 5.5" off the ground. VSA limits me, but I was able to accelerate, turn the wheel, grab the handbrake and slide the rear of the Fit around. The wife frowns but the kids and I like it. Still, unless the road has a layer of ice, there's not much sliding happening with the X-Ice3s.

There are others that recommend the Michelin X-Ice3s on this forum. Do a search and you'll find them.

 

I'm running General Altimax Arctic snow tires on mine. Mine's an EX so I went down to 15" wheels and 185-60x15 tires. Very happy with them. Good price and they seem to wear well. Not had a lot of snow last winter, but when we did, the car felt like it would climb a wall.

 

Thanks, guys. Gary, are those studded?

 

These ( 185/60-15 ) are on both our FITs . Studs on one and studless on the other . Good tire for the price . Start at 12/32s' . Siping is down to the base of tire . Had Wal-Mart match SEARS online price of $64.04 each and received a $50 rebate from GENERAL within 4 weeks . $64.04 - $12.50 ( $50 rebate / 4 ) = $51.54 each . Will take a hit on gas mileage .

 

No studs. 10 characters.

 

One less thing to worry about (gloat).

 

Currently using Michelin XIce3's in 185/60/15, and I couldn't be happier. All of my last 4 winter tires have been H rated, including this set. I like to have a bit more dry, winter weather grip, and all the H rated tires have not disappointed.


I've used lower speed rated winter tires, and their dry, winter road grip leaves little to be desired.

 

Rub it in !!!

 

I ran 14" wheel diameter last winter on AR (american racing) mags.

had a pretty much identical set on CSA 14" mags.

Well the CSA's with wheel weights stuck on (where the caliper is) DO NOT CLEAR the calipers.

so back to the AR 14". which also have wheel weight stuck in the same location.

Its probably possible to balance the CSA in a different location/way, and they will fit

JUST SAYING--NOT ALL 14" dia wheels will clear.

probably 95 percent do (especially steel) but be careful with cast alloy wheels. (with wheel weights especially)

This surprised me.

 

Do you use these tires all year? Would that be a bad choice? I get into the mountains every winter, but would find it hard to justify owning a set of tires devoted to winter. I deal with wet roads all year long.

 

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. After a whole lot of back and forth and endless anxious dithering and talking to people, I'm going with the Michelins. Cheaper than the Blizzaks (and there's that rebate), and I only know a few folks around here who stud. (Also staying true to the regular 15" size). I'll be sure to update if there's anything worth updating about. You guys are great!

 

I have 2 sets of tires: winter and summer. The winter tires are not really for snow, as we really do not get deep snow here in Toronto. The X-Ice3s are designed more for ice and water, rather than deep snow. With their sipes they really squeegee the water out from the road.

The X-Ice3s are pretty quiet, almost as quiet as the OEM tires. Winter tire rubber is meant to be flexible below 45F/+7C, where regular tire rubber turns hard. You could run them in the summer, but the higher temperatures would wear them down prematurely.

Owning winter tires is not expensive. The only additional cost would be the 4 rims, or $200. In the winter you save your summer rubber. You do need to store your winter tires, and you do need to change tires. If you have a winter that is at or below 50F/+10C for a couple of months with significant rain, then consider a set. Driving in a mountainous area would be much safer with winter tires, as the weather can be quite unpredictable.

 

Keep us posted... I got the Mich X-Ice Xi 3 installed today 185/60/15
Just ran them on the highway ( no snow) and they are quiet.

Lets see how they do under snow conditions.

Thanks

 

I have repeatedly tried to slide the Michelin X-Ice3s last year, with very mixed results. Unless you have an icy base, then add a dusting of snow, the tires have too much traction to slide. Add some speed, pull the handbrake, turn the wheel and hopefully you'll break the rear end free. Add a touch more speed if necessary. VSA or not made no difference.

 

I assume there are no tire pressure monitoring system components on the Fit's wheels that have to be duplicated on the steel wheels, correct?

 

No, the GK uses ABS sensors to calculate tire rotation as its TPMS.