Tire question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ericschand · 10-13-2006, 01:33 PM

I have 2 sets of tires. A winter set of 4, and a summer set of 4.

So, now I look, and it's going to snow on Monday. Oh goody,
summer tires are still on the car.

I'm down to less than 25% tread on the winter set, so I look and
Fountain Tire has a 4 for 3 sale on! Good timing.

However, instead of getting a set of winter tires, I thought
why not get a set of all-season, but good ones, like Goodyear
Assurance TripleTred?

How much of a difference does having pure winter tires vs
something like the above make? I can get winter tires,
but around here it seems pointless...

Thanks,
ers

Fobby · 10-13-2006, 01:41 PM

a HUGE difference. All season tires in Canada really mean 3 seasons tires. Do you drive out of town a lot? like for snowboarding/skiing and such? if you do, winter tires is the only way to go imo.

Ironhorse · 10-13-2006, 02:11 PM

^^^^^^^ times 2.

All seasons will only really help you in snow if they are 75% or better. Otherwise, you're a skid looking for a place to happen when there is snow & ice on the road.

albertGQ · 10-13-2006, 02:13 PM

Heres another question. Why don't poeple just purchase winter tires and keep them on their cars year round?

photon · 10-13-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Heres another question. Why don't poeple just purchase winter tires and keep them on their cars year round?

Performance and wear.. winter tires are usually much harder than summer tires so they usually perform quite poorly in summer conditions (ie have poor traction). Plus they wear faster so you'd go through tires much faster.

Though Nokian has some tires that are apparently very good at being both.

HitterD · 10-13-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Heres another question. Why don't poeple just purchase winter tires and keep them on their cars year round?

The reason I don't do this is because I don't want to wear them out too much when they arent really needed, especially since they can be more expensive than the average all-seasons

Bill Bumface · 10-13-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Performance and wear.. winter tires are usually much harder than summer tires so they usually perform quite poorly in summer conditions (ie have poor traction). Plus they wear faster so you'd go through tires much faster.

Though Nokian has some tires that are apparently very good at being both.

Winters are actually much softer than summers. Thats part of the reason summers suck bad in cold temperatures (they get too hard) and winters wear really fast in warm temperatures (they get too soft).

That said, I think its pretty stupid not to get winter tires living here. Its like buying a car and not getting the seatbelts to save $500.

Two places where you can get winters far cheaper than most other spots are Contemporary Motorsports and My Tires. Both local.

photon · 10-13-2006, 02:35 PM

Lol yeah, that makes a lot more sense!

JimmytheT · 10-13-2006, 05:00 PM

Nokian WR All Weather Tires.
They are probably the best all season on the market, which means you do not have to change them, and they are designed by Finns for the Finnish climate, which is very similar to the Canadian climate (especially North Central Alberta where I am).

They are great on snowy roads, and handle well in the summer.
The only draw back is they last for 100,000 km, where most tires have a life of 125,000-150,000 km.

Best tires I ever purchased though

BlackArcher101 · 10-13-2006, 06:11 PM

One word... NOKIAN!

They have a few choices, but if you want all-season, go with their WR. The WR is severe service rated and I beleive is the only all season to carry it. It's usually only the best winter tires that have this. Basically the WR is a winter tire that can be used year round and not wear like a regular winter tire. I myself just bought a set of Nokian Vatiiva. Not service rated, but has some very nice aggressive siping.

Shazam · 10-13-2006, 07:40 PM

Another prop for the Nokian WR.

But, dedicated winter tires are still better. But the Nokians handle way, way better.

If you want very good winter tires that don't cost a fortune, check out Kumho.

ericschand · 10-13-2006, 08:11 PM

Yeah, Nokian from KalTire. Many many recommendations for their
winter tires. Will probably head down Sat AM.

Thanks guys.

ers

fokakya · 10-14-2006, 11:16 AM

I'll put in my props for Nokian as well. The WR is actually an "All Weather" tire, vs. an All Season. I believe they might be the only tires allowed to claim the All Weather status, but I could be wrong, other companies may have produced similar types now.
But they are truly great tires, not super expensive either. Great for snow, (though of course not quite as great as pure snow tires) but they're also H-speed rated and have good cornering and handling in the summer as well. I would definitely buy another set.
If you go to Kal Tire and ask them for their best performance tire that's also good in the winter, they'll recommend the Nokians and not their most expensive tires just to make more money.