Snow tire performance

[V8Power]

Today we had our first real snowfall with inches covering roads. I’m happy to report that my first impression driving my Clarity in snow with Michelin X-Ice 3 winter tires stock sized turned out to be excellent. On my 30 minute drive home split between highway & city streets, the car felt very grippy without any hint of losing control when driving straight, stopping, turning and accelerating. The steering remained responsive and car felt planted. [emoji106] I’ve driven many cars with & without snows and with different brands of snow tires and am really impressed so far.

What have you experienced?

 

[megreyhair]

The OEM tires SUCKS in snow!

 

[Gearhead]

The OEM tires SUCKS in snow!

I gave the OEM tires a limited try in our first snow today. Going straight on flat snow covered street was fine. Stopping was only fair with loss of traction under moderate braking. Turning on sloppy slush poor with car all over the place. Overall better than the summer tires I tried in snow several years ago but not good enough for anyone planning on driving regularly in winter conditions.

 

[Mikep00]

The OEM tires SUCKS in snow!

All low rolling resistance tires are well known for being extremely poor in snow/cold.

While winter tires affect economy, I find that compared to the effect cold has on economy, it is not material. Maybe 5%, when -10C weather is giving me a 25% decrease in battery range.


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[insightman]

Our excellent Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 snow tires may not be as energy efficient as the OEM Michelins, but they claim to have Ultra Low Rolling Resistance. One poster has reported that an R3 version has supplanted the R2s we put on our Clarity last winter.

 

[Mikep00]

Our excellent Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 snow tires may not be as energy efficient as the OEM Michelins, but they claim to have Ultra Low Rolling Resistance. One poster has reported that an R3 version has supplanted the R2s we put on our Clarity last winter.

View attachment 2915

That is amazing!!!

Perhaps this info should be made into its own thread. I did lots of research on winter tires available to me and couldn’t find any that were also LRR.

If I knew of this brand I would have ordered online and brought them in from wherever.


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[Mikep00]

That is amazing!!!

Perhaps this info should be made into its own thread. I did lots of research on winter tires available to me and couldn’t find any that were also LRR.

If I knew of this brand I would have ordered online and brought them in from wherever.


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Holy crap those tires are $$$. I just priced a set of 4 compared to the X-ice 3’s I bought and they would cost me an extra $480+tax ($542.40). Energy savings over the life of the tires would be less than that extra cost.


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[megreyhair]

Where did you guys get the tire/rim? I think I will need to invest on a set.

 

[RichL]

Where did you guys get the tire/rim? I think I will need to invest on a set.

I typically go to Costco or Tirerack.com. I use the Tirerack user reviews to research the tire that best suite my needs in terms of handling, wear, noise etc... The real world end-user reviews plus tirerack's own staff review videos are very helpful.

Personally, I got Pirelli IceZeroes in 215/55 R17. First real snow fall in Toronto today. They seem to perform well in the snow just a little less grippy than the Hakka R2s on my wife's SUV but the Pirelli's cost less and handle better in the dry.

 

[insightman]

Where did you guys get the tire/rim? I think I will need to invest on a set.

If by "you guys" you mean me, last year I bought our Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 snow tires for about $180 each on eBay. The newer R3 tires on eBay are going for $212.38, including shipping. I put the R2s on the OEM Clarity wheels and bought the Clarity Accessory Wheels for the OEM Michelins (that tells you which wheels I like best).