Winter Tires

just about to try some dunlop winter M2

 

I live in Erie, PA, and I use winter wiper blades. I use Trico brand, one part number 37-260, 26 inch blade for the driver's side, and one part number 37-180, 18 inch blade for the passenger's side.

They just snap onto the existing arm.

I purchased mine at Auto Zone which offers to install them for the customer at no charge.

 

As far as the winter tires, I use studded Goodyear Nordic brand, which were introduced in Canada last year by Canadian Tire. It's the same tire as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 used in Europe

http://eu.goodyear.com/home_en/tires/repos...p?page=benefits

If you click on "Profile" you will get a Flash presentation about the tire. Last winter was quite serious for us in Manitoba, and these tires really are outstanding, especially on ice. The price is also very reasonable too.

However, any Canadian who is considering this tire should be aware it is *very* noisy on dry pavement. Not so much the noise from the studs, but the growling/humming noise from the very aggressive tread pattern. If you must drive in "real" winter conditions, this is the tire for you

As far as the winter wiper blades, I swear by them. They're very easy to put on, the old blade just unclicks and pops out, the new one clicks in. Especially in a blizzard, I'm surprised at all the people here who bitch and moan about their windshield being iced over by frozen wiper blades.

They can "afford" snazzy ultra low profile wheels, but can't aford $20 worth of winter wiper blades that might just save their life. Get real

As far as the TPMS, the warning light will remain on the entire winter. Once Spring arrives and you put the factory wheels back on, the light will go out

Question about your rims: are they steel? I would suggest going to NAPA and getting the correct conical seat lugnuts. The Toyota factory style lugs for the aluminum wheels will loosen up on a steel rim.

 

I'm getting a second set of rims to put on either Blizzaks or Michelin X-ice, but don't plan on using the TPMS sensors. Most of us can figure out if we have a flat and can check our tire pressure regularly. I did fine in last year's Minnesota winter on my regular tires but expect the car to do even better in the snow with the tire change.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Perk @ Oct 14 2007, 06:10 PM) [snapback]525534[/snapback]</div>

That's good to know. I have always had winter blades on other cars, and prefer them. They don't get ice stuck in them!

 

I like Michelin XIce no studs (at Costco) they work well in the snow

 

I run Blizzaks on dedicated wheels on both my Prius and my wife's HyCam. They are sweet. I skip the whole TPMS thing in the winter.

rpm
(MN)

 

I just got an extra set of Prius rims and put on Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi's, skipped the TPMS sensors too. I'll report back, they look incredible, hope they work as well as they look!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pie r sqd @ Nov 11 2007, 06:11 PM) [snapback]538064[/snapback]</div>

I've also had Blizzaks and X-Ice, both were great. I got the second set of original alloys for my Prius off of eBay for a good price. I got an earlier set of steels for the Jetta from TireRack.com with the snows mounted, which I would recommend. Current lugs should be fine.

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pie r sqd @ Nov 11 2007, 06:11 PM) [snapback]538064[/snapback]</div>

I got my second set of 4 rims from a very kind Priuschat member ($300 including shipping), they are used regular Prius rims, factory originals (no TPMS sensors). You might need different lugs if you by aftermarket rims. They are mounted and ready to go, just waiting for snow before I put them on the car.

These are my Nokian RSi's. If you look closely you can see that the tires are directional

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(craigk @ Nov 11 2007, 08:19 PM) [snapback]538126[/snapback]</div>

By the tread I see that they are Nokian WR's. What size are the tires, what was the price and where did you get them?

Sorry for all the questions but I have been trying to decide on what to get for my 2007 Touring. Since they don't sell those here in this area the best place I have found so far is on the internet at $118.45 a tire and about $80 to ship 4 to me here in OKC out of Colorado.

Thanks

 

I just checked on TireRack and you could get the Michelin X-Ice mounted and balanced on alloys, delivered for about $665. They do not have steels. This is for 15", which would be suitable. 16" would probably be an additional $100.+.

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(topkick @ Nov 12 2007, 12:16 AM) [snapback]538199[/snapback]</div>

They are actually Nokian RSi's, size 185/65R15 (same size as regular Prius tires-not touring). Tires Plus got them for me, approx $90 each plus mounting/balancing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(craigk @ Nov 12 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]538397[/snapback]</div>

Thanks craigk, they look like they will do the job for you. Most years we don't get enough snow and ice to go with dedicated snow tires. I am looking at a good all season tire and am about to settle on one but will have to have it shipped in.

 

As I have replied in several threads, the Nokian WR is a good choice. You don't have to have a second set of wheels/tires as you can use these all year round. I got 185/65R15 88H, stock size in the higher speed/load rating (there are two ratings available in this size). If you have a touring just get the stock size for your car. My speedo reads exactly what it did with the stock Goodyear tires.

Nokian WR is rated by Nokian as good as the Mich. Ice tire on ice.

The WR works very well on snow.

The WR works very well in rain.

The WR doesn't "squirm" on dry roads, and works very well, even on hot summer roads. It has a treadwear rating/warranty of 50,000 mi in the US and 100,000 km in Canada.

This will be my first winter with them on the Prius, but I've enjoyed their traction on the anti-Prius (2001 Nissan Pathfinder) and on a 2004 Mazda RX-8.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 12 2007, 11:48 AM) [snapback]538435[/snapback]</div>

Thanks David,

I keep looking at different tires and always seem to come back to the Nokian WR. Having good traction is important to me and also having a quite tire. Everthing I have read about the Nokian WR says it has those things. I just have not found a good place (cheap) to have them shipped in and as the gas goes up I doubt that it will get any better. I am going down to Houston this weekend and will look around there and see if I can scare some up, but most likley I will order them in when I get back in a couple of weeks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(topkick @ Nov 12 2007, 07:21 PM) [snapback]538625[/snapback]</div>

I bought my WRs online from the tirefactory. Email them and ask Ryan if he will still give you the Prius Discussion Group Price (185/65HR15 WRs for $97 each delivered). They were installed locally (at BJs Discount) for $42.

JeffD