1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Snow tires in Canada

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by cmstlist, Oct 29, 2014.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Tip: Just lift the wipers up. They work in scenarios where you expect the wipers to freeze to the windshield or in scenarios where you're expecting heavy snowfall (it's easier to brush the snow off the windshield knowing the wipers are out of the way, minimising the risk of damage).
     
  2. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
  3. plug-it-in

    plug-it-in Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    179
    112
    0
    Location:
    Kitchener, ON, Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    For better or worst I opted for a set of Nokian WGR3 "all weather" tires for my 2008 Prius. These tires as severe winter rated with asymmetric thread and some magical nanotechnology enhanced rubber compound to assure that they will stay plyable in the winter and will not 'melt' in the summer. The manufacturer does not claim that they perform as well as dedicated winter tires. Rather they seem to address city dwellers need and convenience. (Trivia: Nokian made tires in Finland well before Nokia cellphones. One would think they know winters over there - eh?)

    I had them installed on the factory rims with the intent of keeping them on all year around. . After driving them for a week on cool/cold dry roads and last week's snow in Kitchener I had a chance to feel out these tires on snow, slush and ice as well.

    So here are my one man observations to date;
    1. The Nokian tires ride firmer and a bit noisier compared my BridgeStone Ecopias.
    2. They give good feedback from the road, allow nice control of the car.
    3. The Nokians are low rolling resistance tires. On this point the jury is still out. Considering the changing weather conditions and the need to heat, there maybe some minimal loss mileage.
    For the items below please be aware that I am not a race-car driver. So I drive as I feel is safe.
    4. Performance in ice - steering and breaking - very good
    5. Performance on slush - - steering and breaking - very good
    6. Performance on packed snow - steering and breaking - good
    7. Performance in snow - steering and breaking - very good

    Will these tires work for everyone? Probably not. Here are our needs: to drive mostly in and around the city, and if the weather really sets in we don't go anywhere. So if you are a snowplough operator or even an avid downhiller, you are probably better off with dedicated winter tires like a Michelin Xi3 or similar.
     
    HaroldW and Tideland Prius like this.
  4. FireFire

    FireFire Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2014
    95
    15
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    For the steel rim, you can get from Costco online. I checked yesterday and it was $38.xx and ship to your door (I think it was free shipping but didn't check further)

    Costco winter tire price seems ok if the rebate is on.
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the report! This will be my first year with the WRG3s on the 2010 (have experience with the WR and WRG2 on the 2005 Prius. The 2005 is still wearing the WRG2).

    FWIW, autos.ca is also doing a year-long test

    Tire Review: Nokian WR G3 All-weather Tire Year-Long Test - Autos.ca
     
  6. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2012
    716
    95
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I for one am not pleased with the change from WRg2 to WRg3. Tideland do you find the WRg3 to be noisey compared to the g2? Hal
     
  7. cmstlist

    cmstlist Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    183
    40
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I paid $55/wheel tax included at Tires23 so that's $48.67 pre-tax.

    When I look up wheels for the Prius C on Costco, I get:
    15" X40957 = $47.99+tax
    15" X99123N = $43.99+tax
    14" X40720 = $46.99+tax
    14" X99100N = $39.99+tax
    Of course some people go down a size for winter but I was inheriting existing 15" snow tires. So Costco wheels would not have saved me more than about $20.

    Also my biggest issue with Costco was I couldn't get anyone on the damn phone. I called several locations and tried to speak to someone about an estimate on wheels and installation, and I was just eternally on hold and gave up.

    On the question of all-weather tires... I had honestly never heard of them as a distinct concept from all-season until very recently. Might be an interesting option to have with a brand new car. If you get AWs and plan on running them year round, do you just keep your OEM tires in permanent storage in case you might need them again one day?
     
    #47 cmstlist, Dec 1, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2014
  8. cmstlist

    cmstlist Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    183
    40
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Also in regards to tire storage, my summer tires+wheels are currently stored for a cost of $100 including tax that will also cover the springtime swap. Chances are the place I chose will not be long-term convenient so I will find somewhere else depending on where I am living and working.

    But any thoughts on the best deal in Toronto for seasonal storage and swapping of tires?
     
  9. FireFire

    FireFire Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2014
    95
    15
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    In some Costco, yes, I was at Vaughan Costco couple weeks ago and just can't even get into the parking lot. I normally just walk in the Costco which close to my home and they are not that crazy at all.
     
  10. sjr14221

    sjr14221 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2003
    115
    28
    0
    Location:
    WNY
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Just jumping in here....I have used the wr tires since I had my 2004 prius. I live in a hilly area where there are a couple hills that I have trouble ascending if they haven't been plowed. I also get stuck in lake effect snow storm driving conditions at least once or twice a winter.

    I loved the g1 tires for grip, but thought they were noisy. I used them for one winter season and then kept them on for the summer. They were not acceptable for the following winter, but still had additional summer life (I average 25-30k miles per year).

    I did not like the g2 tires. I thought they were slippery compared to the g1 tires, were extremely noisy, and wore quickly.

    I am currently on my first set of g3 tires. To me, they are much quieter than the g2, they grip better, and they still had acceptable tread so that I am using them for a second winter. I am very pleased with them.
     
    HaroldW likes this.
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I went with WRG2 once, for a snow tire, partially because they were the only snowflake/mountain tires left in town, partially because I'd read good things about them. The WRG3 tread looks very similar. On that basis only, I'm assuming there's not a lot of difference. They're in-between an all-season and a snow. They do have an impact on mpg, maybe 10%, comparing to something like Bridgestone Ecopia EP20. Or more. They have a bit of a "song" on the highway. The ride is a bit "truckish", though that could have been because mine were XL rating.
     
    HaroldW and sjr14221 like this.
  12. cmstlist

    cmstlist Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    183
    40
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I can report that my second hand Michelins handled slippery icy Ottawa roads very competently last weekend. Between those and my Sorel boots I was set.
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hmm, I found myself spinning the WRG3s on wet surfaces (rain) in normal or PWR mode. ECO mode works just fine. I didn't think the Gen 3 Prius had that much more torque than the Gen 2 (~114lb-ft vs. 100lb-ft at the wheels)
     
  14. cmstlist

    cmstlist Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    183
    40
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, ON
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    It's a little unfortunate though that this thread has drifted so far into talking about the non-C Prius as I really wanted it to be focused on how the C handles. In all sorts of ways it's really not the same car and you guys have your own subforums already ;)
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Fiiiiinneee :p
     
    ztanos likes this.
  16. Motov8r

    Motov8r Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2014
    102
    41
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I am having good luck with Xi3's. First winter in the c and so far so good. Have driven on fresh packed snow, frozen rain slush, heavy wet snow, and a mix of these. It gets pushed around in the heavy wet snow but did well in the other conditions. I opted for a second set of tpms sensors. I got the snow tires from discount tire and they reset them each season for no charge.
     
  17. FireFire

    FireFire Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2014
    95
    15
    0
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four