Longer Tread Life From Snow Tires?

I like Micheline's MXV4+ Energy, which has been improved and is now called the Primacy. They are not a true snow tire, but are a good all-season tire which will give you a lot better wear than the really soft snow tires. Many people also swear by Nokian WRs.

Tom

 

All-season tires offer nowhere near the traction of a didicated snow tire. Part of the snow tires grip comes from the extremely soft tread, so switching to a harder snow tire may reduce overall grip.

I've used Blizzaks as well while I was stationed in Alaska (80% snow/ice, 20% just wet) and they performed satisfactorily and lasted longer than my original tires.

 

The Nokian WRs give good long life AND are rated "as good as" the Mich. ice tire on ice. I use them year round (but so far only have 4000 km on them). They were very good this winter, no traction problems, no stopping problems. Low noise. I had them on the anti-Prius as well (2001 Nissan Pathfinder 4X4) and they were great on that vehicle too.

Most people still think you NEED dedicated winter tires. They have yet to try Nokians.

 

Studless winter tires - and good studded winter tires - have a very soft tread compound to assist in grip, especially on ice and snow in cold temps. That means they will wear much faster than "all season" tires

There are tires that offer the Snowflake winter performance symbol, and claim to be "all season" use. I had such a tire put on my FJ Cruiser to replace - IMHO - the dangerous factory Dunlop Grandtrek tires. I went with Goodyear Fortera TripleTred, which is a directional truck tire that is also branded with the Snowflake

I did try them a bit last fall before putting on my dedicated winter truck tires, the Toyo Open Country G-02 Plus. This is also a directional tire, with a special compound they claim helps improve ice traction

Toyo Tire Canada Inc. Tires - Pneus

I suppose most people would just run the "all season" tire and put up with it. On my FJ, there was simply no doubt at all the difference in traction comparing the "all season" but Snowflake branded tire, to the dedicated winter tire. Ice traction was better, and snow traction was MUCH better

Note: My Prius with the studded Goodyear Nordic winter tires, has much better ice traction than my FJ on the studless winter tires. IMHO modern studded tires still have an edge on ice. I have attached a Swedish report on winter tire traction, and they also conclude that modern studded tires offer the best winter grip

With my Prius I have tried Dunlop Graspic DS-2 and Yokohama Ice Guard 10 studless tires. The Goodyear Nordic AKA Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 offer superior winter traction, but are louder on dry pavement

I hope to get another winter or two out of them. They aren't wearing quite as fast as your tires, but they are wearing

 

All good advice. Once again it comes down to compromises. How much snow and ice do you get, how hilly are your roads, how important is it too you to get out in bad weather. Only you can answer those questions. Also keep in mind that studded tires are illegal in many areas.

Tom