Best Tires for Summer / Winter / All season

[BigInALegacy]

Ok, so I'm getting new 18" rims for my LGT, and I'm putting some (snow or AS) tires on my stockers. I know I want a dedicated Summer tire for the 18's, and I'm undecided as to dedicated Winter's or a Winter-Geared All Season (I live in New England, we see decent snow, but it's not always snow covered roads), but figured I'd get feedback on both. If anyone in this area (NE) cares to comment on Winter's v AS also would be nice. I debated not going strictly winters for reasons like road noise, stiff ride, etc. Is that dumb on my part?

Summer shoes, I want them to stick well, wear well, and perform on dry and wet surface well. I'd rather not spend $200 a tire if I can avoid it by getting something comparable at a decent price ($100-150 range). My drive is a daily commute, 50/50 Hwy/City. I enjoy spirited driving, but I am not a racecar driver by any means. Some of the ones I looked at were:
BFG GForce Sport, Pirelli PZero Nero, Potenza RE050A Pole Position, Kuhma Ecsta STP, and Goodyear F1-GSD3. If any of the cheaper tires I mentioned are comparable to the more expensive ones, please let me know so I can save some dough. If I'm missing a tire I should consider, tell me please!

As for Winter's, I was looking at Blizzak WS50. I've heard good things both from friends and people here. If anyone else can suggest something please do. These will be going on the stock rims.

I have been debating getting winter-geared AS tires, seeing as it's not ALWAYS snowing and I hear strictly WINTER tires are loud on dry pavement, and don't handle/ride very well outside of snow. I hear the ContiExtreme (i think it's called) is an AS geared for snow, any other suggestions for a Winter-AS tire?

The one thing I do NOT want is to be sliding all over the place in the snow. I have never had my LGT in the snow yet, and I am coming from driving a 4x4 S-10 ZR2, so I'm used to sure footed snow handling. If I can get this out of a Winter-geared AS tire, and have better ride/handling when not in snow, GREAT! If it's gonna be that much of a difference in the snow vs. a dedicated Winter, I'll probably get a Winter tire.

Thanks in advance guys. You are a wealth of knowledge!

[rc0032]

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41976
Read this first.

No one will agree whats the best :spin:

[Vimy101]

ContiExtremes for winter on 17s. Snow biased AS, great in the rain and very good performance in the dry. Great choice for a winter tire in areas that don't see 6 months of snow that won't wear terribly on those warm Indian Summer or early spring warm spells and can be taken down to Florida for the winter vacation or up the hills for skiing.

[BigInALegacy]

I did look through the compendium, and the tire types were all over the board as far as type (winter, summer, AS), so while it gave me ideas on which tires were good for each type, it served less as a comparison of tires within the same class which is kinda what I'm looking for. Thanks though!

[BigInALegacy]

I know I probably won't get one definitive answer for any type, but if I can get some good opinions, it would make my tire purchase more comfortable.
Basically for the Summer's I'm looking to see if I can get away with a cheaper tire (like the Kuhma) with high-end performance like a Potenza Pole Position.

AS - Looking for suggestions on winter geared AS tires. Looking for opinions if I can suffice with a winter geared AS or should I get dedicated Winters

Winter - Suggestions in general for a tire. Opinions of winter tires v AS in New England (MA in particular), is Winter tires overkill, stupid?

[SC GT]

For summer, I'd go with Falken 452s. Good performance, good wear, good price.

[BigInALegacy]

Didnt even look at those...

now i think and i probably should have titled this 'advice on summer/wnter/as shoes'.. more fitting i guess. my bad!

[krzyss]

Instead of ice/snow winter tires (like WS-50) look for high performance winter tires like Dunlop Winter Sport M3, Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22, Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25, Continental ContiWinterContact TS810, Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 etc

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/snows.jsp

There is also Nokian WR, all season tire with Severe Service Emblem (mountain with snowflake).

http://www.nokiantire.com/en/summer_passenger.aspx

Krzys

[hal9e3]

Goodyear F1s. I've had Toyo T1Rs as well and the F1s KILL them. $184/tire @ Tire Rack in 225/40-18 so they're inside your budget too:)

[Underdog]

Winter (Oct-Mar): Dunlop Wintersport M3 (stock wheel and sizing)
Summer(Apr-Sep): Toyo T1R (225/40-18 on Rota Group A 18x7.5)
Abuse(A/S): Bridgestone Potenza RE-92s

I chose my tires because in Boston the weather deserves a winter oriented tire for ~6 months. The wintersports are a great blend of dry and wet/snow performance. They feel like summer tires at temps between 30-50F and don't get mushy till above that, even then only slightly. The Toyo's since April have exceeded my expectations and are as surefooted through standing water as they are on the tarmac.

Don't skimp on the tires!

[sebberry]

ContiExtremes for winter on 17s. Snow biased AS, great in the rain and very good performance in the dry. Great choice for a winter tire in areas that don't see 6 months of snow that won't wear terribly on those warm Indian Summer or early spring warm spells and can be taken down to Florida for the winter vacation or up the hills for skiing.


The ContiExtremes do not have the severe service emblem for winter conditions and as such are not recommended for continuous winter use.

Since the OP lives in a climate where snow is frequent but not always on the roads, the Nokian WR is a great tire. Severe service emblem for conditions where you need a true winter tire to use the road, but long wearing, excellent in the rain and quiet/comfortable for dry days.

My recommendation would be to keep the stock 17" wheels and put the WR's on them, then whatever summer performance tires you choose for the 18" wheels.

I run the WR's all year on my Outback XT.

[emlevins]

GY F1s in the summer and Nokian WRs for the rest of the year ftw. I've also ridden on the ContiExtremes (I like them but to as much as the Nokians) and the Dunlops.

[Vimy101]

The ContiExtremes do not have the severe service emblem for winter conditions and as such are not recommended for continuous winter use.

Since the OP lives in a climate where snow is frequent but not always on the roads, the Nokian WR is a great tire. Severe service emblem for conditions where you need a true winter tire to use the road, but long wearing, excellent in the rain and quiet/comfortable for dry days.

My recommendation would be to keep the stock 17" wheels and put the WR's on them, then whatever summer performance tires you choose for the 18" wheels.

I run the WR's all year on my Outback XT.

The ContiExtremes would be plenty of tire and better in the dry. WRs are fine but probably overkill. We're talking New England here not northern Quebec or Sweden.

[cwmiller]

What size of WR are you running on your OB?

[sebberry]

What size of WR are you running on your OB?

Stock size - 225-55-17

[sebberry]

The ContiExtremes would be plenty of tire and better in the dry. WRs are fine but probably overkill. We're talking New England here not northern Quebec or Sweden.

How much rain do you get in NE? I bet the WR's will be better than the Contis in the wet... just look at the tread pattern... much better water evacuation and much more sipings for better grip when cornering. Perhaps the Contis ARE better in the dry, but traction in wet and slippery conditions takes priority over traction in the dry.

We only get about two weeks of snow here per year, 12 inches total.. do I want to take a chance with a tire that isn't designed for snow?

[sic GT]

Check out the Bridgestone Pole Position 960 A/S. I have 8k on them & have driven in all kinds of inclement weather conditions w/ no problems. Nice tire maybe just a little narrow for the 225 width though.

[sebberry]

My experience with all season tires in the snow is that they are much worse for the 2nd and 3rd winters... they seem ok at first, but then they bite you in the behind when you rely on them as they age...

[Vimy101]

How much rain do you get in NE? I bet the WR's will be better than the Contis in the wet... just look at the tread pattern... much better water evacuation and much more sipings for better grip when cornering. Perhaps the Contis ARE better in the dry, but traction in wet and slippery conditions takes priority over traction in the dry.

We only get about two weeks of snow here per year, 12 inches total.. do I want to take a chance with a tire that isn't designed for snow?

I'm sure the WRs are great in the rain. The Contis are as well. I was amazed how good they were in the wet and snow. However, during the change of seasons I encountered a couple of 80F days followed by snow a couple of days later.

If you use A/S year round, they will get cooked. If the OP uses them as his winter rubber, they should avoid most hot running conditions and thereby be able to have them stay fresher longer.

The deciding criteria for me in the mild temperate area the OP is refering to (and me even in Chicago) would be how much back road driving I would be doing. If the majority of driving is done on salty freeways then the Contis make sense. Lots of back roads in a snow belt area? WRs might be the better choice.

[Saul_Good]

For summer tires i like the Azenis615s and/or the RE070s.

[feersum dreadnaught]

Continental Sportcontact 3 for summer, Hankook Icebear 300s for winter.

very happy with both.

[BigInALegacy]

Yeah, I'm probably 60/40 Backroads/Hwy. And I'm right outside Worcester, MA, so we do get a decent bit of snow in the winter (they call them Nor'Easters for a reason). Snow grip is definitely top priority, with comfort in dry/wet & longevity coming in second. Like I said, I drove a 4x4 S-10 ZR2 before the LGT and it was GREAT in the snow, I'd like to get as close to that as possible while still having some comfort/handling when there's not snow on the ground.

[krzyss]

What tires did you use on S-10?

Krzys

[BigInALegacy]

BFGoodrich AT 31x10.5... they were pretty nasty! Truck was pretty nasty! Too bad I hit a deer... and a telephone pole with it! (I'll post pics in my vbGarage sometime)

And for my troubles, I got an '08 LGT and a $400 car payment! LMAO

[feersum dreadnaught]

I went up to Okemo during the March 16 snow storm, when it dumped ~12" Friday, and another 10" Saturday night.

was very confident w/ the Icebears, never slipped until I was doing donuts in the parking lot on Friday night. saw a lot of fools backwards in the ditches on that trip...

price is right, and winter/snows + summer/sticky >>> all-season.

[airick66]

I need the same sort of advice for my '06 Spec.B's 18's...but for Virginia's random climate. Any suggestions for what to use, and when to use them, would be appreciated...

[rao]

I better go check my Pirelli Neros, them must be melted by now :eek: :lol:

[sebberry]

I'm sure the WRs are great in the rain. The Contis are as well. I was amazed how good they were in the wet and snow. However, during the change of seasons I encountered a couple of 80F days followed by snow a couple of days later.

If you use A/S year round, they will get cooked. If the OP uses them as his winter rubber, they should avoid most hot running conditions and thereby be able to have them stay fresher longer.

The deciding criteria for me in the mild temperate area the OP is refering to (and me even in Chicago) would be how much back road driving I would be doing. If the majority of driving is done on salty freeways then the Contis make sense. Lots of back roads in a snow belt area? WRs might be the better choice.


One downside to the WR's is that they have fairly low ICE traction for a winter tire. However, that being said they will be much better than an A/S tire in the ice. The reasoning for this is that they are made of a harder rubber as to not wear out in the summer as quickly for when people use them as their all-year tire.

The big thing that you want to look for is how well do the tires steer and regain traction from a slide. The more aggressive the tread pattern, generally the better the bite. The more sipes in the tread blocks, the better the bite.


And Vimmy, I think my Outback is better in the snow than your SpecB :lol::lol:

[Vimy101]

^ The Spec.B has more clearance than an LGT. :)

[krzyss]

BFGoodrich AT 31x10.5... they were pretty nasty! Truck was pretty nasty! Too bad I hit a deer... and a telephone pole with it! (I'll post pics in my vbGarage sometime)

And for my troubles, I got an '08 LGT and a $400 car payment! LMAO


Poor deer.

I do not know much about truck tires but AT is probably All Terrain which are quite aggressive tires. Aggressive meaning they have plenty of sipes, groves and knobs to provide decent on road and off road traction.

If this is the case then high performance winter tires are probably not what you want.

Where do you intend to drive in winter? Wachusett Mt? Back roads?
Roads are quite well maintained in Worcester area. Unless there is Nor'easter and then it is better not to be on the road at all.

Krzys

[BigInALegacy]

I'm actually more toward Fitchburg if you know the area. Surrounding towns like Nashua, Chelmsford, Dunstable, Tyngsboro, Pepperell, all are pretty much 80-90% back roads. I work in Worcester, so I'd also be driving there and back 5 days a week as well on the highway.

As per how much it rains here: I'd say a decent amount. New England weather is as unpredictable as the lottery!! I'd say about 20% rain, 20% snow, 60% dry if I had to put stats on it. As for where I drive, 60%+ backroads, 40%- highway.

Yes the A/T are, ...were :(..., all terrain, pretty much off-road tires. Big, beefy, lots of tread, knobby, tons of tread pattern.

BTW: F that deer!

[krzyss]

We commute on the same I 190. I just go the other way.

I have very similar problem.
Take this year. Spring like weather untill February (I saw some guys on winter tires Blizzak WS-50 in October - I wonder how much multicell compound was left for real winter 4 month later) and then cold, snow, ice.

For more fun I have 45 mile round trip commute so I rack miles up pretty fast.

I have 2 sets of wheels (OE and Saabaru 17x7 BBS RK). OE still has RE92s with 50K miles. I bought SP5000 (AS high performance) for the other set (www.townfair.com - local store had them on sale 225/45R17 for 440.00 installed). I used them as my winter setup. Now I am back on Bridgestones and hope that they will be worn down before autumn. Then I will put my SP 5000 back and have wheels to think about new tires.

I think my ideal setup (considering weather and 25K miles per year):
summer high performance or summer grand touring
and
high performance winter

or

3 season oriented A/S
and
winter

Possible combinations:
re960 and revo 1

Michelin Pilot Primacy and Dunlop M3 or 3D

Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S and Blizzak LM-25

Krzys

PS I am still saving money for next tires.

[hal9e3]

Another alternative is the Goodyear F1 A/S, which will be available in July.

[krzyss]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+F1+All+Season

You can buy them from tirerack already. I hope they will have test results soon.

Krzys

[cwmiller]

Not seeing the OB size for the goodyear F1 a/s. 225/55r17. :mad:

[turbo427]

I had good luck with the Assurance TripleTred on my Forester XT but didn't see the right size for my GT, live in mountain of NC and we get a good amount of snow, I have a steep drive way so need good traction, going down.

[jim1969]

Another alternative is the Goodyear F1 A/S, which will be available in July.

anyone running these?