Michelin CrossClimate 3 being released - contact Michelin to encourage them to make it for Prius

I tried winter tires, which have a special rubber compound that grips on ice at temperatures below freezing (depending on formulation) I believe. The downside of this, I found, is that the tires become very slippery at temperatures higher than this. So much so, that I was often getting stuck on level, snow surfaces. The car appeared to have zero traction, and the tires would spin out in a small depression, leaving the car immobile.

This did not happen with the all-season tires I had on. I was able to easily manage on all the road surfaces I encountered throughout the winter. Safety trolls will no doubt gang up to tell me I'm stupid, but I find all-season tires to be safer overall.

 

Honestly I'm glad I sold my stock wheel setup and grabbed some light weight 16s and CC2s. Winter driving has been great and I've got enough tread wall where I have very little concern over wheel damage. Even just on wet roads there is a noticeable difference in grip. Had a couple light oversteering on wet roads with the stock tires but same roads, weather, and speed with the CC2s never have an issue.

 

what rims are those and where did you get them from?

 

Not entirely true on the rule of thumb depending on where you live.

In Quebec, winter tires are required by law, and I get a discount on my insurance here in ontario with winter tires for the winter months as well.

They tend to perform better through most of the winter and it regularly gets down below -10 to -15C. So swapping the tires, even though we average 15k km a year on the main car, works well for us.

Unless of course, I'm misunderstanding and all weather tires qualify for winter tire benefits under the laws and insurance discounts as well.

 

Michelin's going to look at 5th gen Prius sales volume, how many other cars have that size, and of those groups, how many are looking for an all-weather option. In other words, see if it's worth it.

 

Anyone know updates on this? And, wondering, is there a CC3 that fits the 19" wheels? Thanks.

 

All-season tires are 3-season tires.
If you get a lot of black ice conditions try the Michelin X-Ice - they work really well, ride like an all season tire and have good fuel economy. If you drive in a lot of deep snow and slush and unploughed roads get the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. They have a softer ride, worse fuel economy and sluggish handling but better deep snow/slush traction. I have first hand experience with both and prefer the X-Ice for our mostly highway use here in the snow belt in southern Ontario.

To the OP: I use the X-Ice on all my vehicles with dedicated 16" wheels...it's easier to find tires for 16" wheels over the 19". Buying 19" wheels for winter tires is a waste of money in my books. What you save on rubber you can buy a set of dedicated steel wheels for your winter tires.

 

Well if the X-ice truly ride like an all season and have good fuel economy, why not just leave them on year round if you live in areas where it snows?

 

Some do around here. I’d think they’d wear fast in the heat of summer (due to softer rubber formulation), still, it’s simpler, one set of rims, which counts for something.

 

LOL

I have been more than happy with my OEM Dunlops. I just got a new set before they even half wore out. Besides, the fuel economy with this “world’s best tire” will suck, which is what I care about most.

 

Michelin USA has since announced that that the CrossClimate 3 isn't coming to North America anytime soon and that it will continue to sell the CrossClimate 2 "for the next several years":

MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATE 2 - Vehicle Tires | Michelin USA (last FAQ on the page)

 

And that comes in the size you need?

 

If it comes down to what I'm most comfortable with,
I'll stick with all-season in all seasons.

 

Do you wear your winter clothing like a parka and winter boots all summer even when it's 30oC outside?

 

I had them. They do ride well with good mpg.

 

Depends on the summer weather. When it works, it works, just like tires. Also wear a face mask in the summer, depending on smoke from Canadian wildfires.