Buying tires....help!

[Mango]

I went in from my bi-yearly inspection and it appears that I need new tires. I haven't really noticed because my car has been pretty decent on ice, but it was confirmed by another mechanic friend, so I know the dealership isn't lying.

I drive a 2005 Mazda 3. I'm looking for all-weather tires and that's all I really know. I basically know very little about tires, where to go, prices etc. etc.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Any help would be appreciated

I'm a little disappointed that I need to change tires already....I thought they lasted longer, but of course, I don't know that for a fact.

[stang]

Buy some winter tires amd some rims....

Then in the summer buy some summer tires... and put them on your normal rims.

OR

Buy some winter tires and put them on your normal rims

Then in the summer buy some bling bling rims and tire


All season is for suckas!!!

[Mango]

I drive a Mazda 3...no bling bling is necessary

[JiriHrdina]

I'm actually in the same boat with my Saturn. Trying to decide if buying winters now is the best way to go or not. I've never drive on winter tires - is the difference that dramatic?

[Dion]

Have never bought winter tires and never will. Reason being is we don't get a lot of snow in the winter. Plus the fact that our countless chinooks tend to melt whatever is on the ground very quickly.

As for buying tires, Costco is a great place. Michelins are my choice of tires for my vehicle.

[JohnnyNipshank]

Yup it sure is. I just had some nokians put on my gf's 2005 sunfire for around 750 at Kaltire (using orginal rims). After driving it there and then driving it home it felt like they just put a 4X4 system into it, deffinetly worth it IMO

[stang]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

is the difference that dramatic?

Yes

[FurnaceFace]

If you don't want to deal with swapping tires Nokians are a good alternative. Got some WRG2's a couple of weeks ago from Kal Tire and while I haven't driven much they do seem good. Under $900 installed which is less than going with dedicated summer and winters with another set of rims.

I should add I do see the benefit of what Stang and others highly recommend. I think it also depends on what type of driving you do and when. If you're driving to work before the streets are cleared or do lots of highway at all times of day I can see the big benefit to winters. Calgary also is so variable with the weather and the city is good with clearing the main streets so it's not as vital as in other places - like Quebec where it's mandated - which get wet sticky and icy snow a lot.

Do a search for Winter Tires, there is a thread for a few weeks ago which might help you.

[Madman]

Nokia WR - http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...name=Nokian+WR

They are "All Weather" tires and not your typical all season tires. They can handle summer time duty but are also amazing in the winter.

Edit - WGR2 Are also All Weather as mentioned by FF above my post.

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I've never drive on winter tires - is the difference that dramatic?

Same as you I'd never driven on winter tires before. Last week I bought some rims and winter tires. Since this is my first foray into winter tires I just got Goodyear Nordic tires from Canadian Tire (cheap with good reviews LINK). They were on sale for my car at $91.50 a tire and each rim was $46.50 - total was under $700.00. I didn't get them put on the car, figured I'd do it myself when it snows - saved $60.00 plus tax.

Yesterday we were hit with a storm and I put them on in my garage. Took the VW Golf for a spin in about 10 cm of snow...all I can say is WOW. The difference is outstanding. I passed two stuck cars on an incline without spinning at all.

The Golf is my wife's car so I have to spend this winter still driving the Crossover on All Season's New Winter tires for me next year.

I am now a winter tire preacher!

[stang]

I put Godoyear Eagle ultragrip ICE tires on my Mustang and didnt get stuck once ina bad snow year... including a little burning through my buddys field on his farm (just to test out the tires)

In fact I got so much snow crammed in there that when we stopped driving it froze up and locked up the back wheels.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Madman

Nokia WR - http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...name=Nokian+WR

They are "All Weather" tires and not your typical all season tires. They can handle summer time duty but are also amazing in the winter.

Edit - WGR2 Are also All Weather as mentioned by FF above my post.

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2

Hmm interesting, this looks like a good solution for me as my SUV is just basically a commuter vehicle to work and back.

Is there any difference between "All Seasons" and "All Weather" or is it just the terminology?

[Nancy]

Well, the way the economy is going, you might be better off spending that money on a mule to pull your car around.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Hmm interesting, this looks like a good solution for me as my SUV is just basically a commuter vehicle to work and back.

Is there any difference between "All Seasons" and "All Weather" or is it just the terminology?

Big difference. All Weather tires from Nokian are essentially Winter tires that work great in the summer as well. All Season tires are summer tires, (at best), that may or may not work that well in Winter.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by FurnaceFace

I should add I do see the benefit of what Stang and others highly recommend. I think it also depends on what type of driving you do and when. If you're driving to work before the streets are cleared or do lots of highway at all times of day I can see the big benefit to winters. Calgary also is so variable with the weather and the city is good with clearing the main streets so it's not as vital as in other places - like Quebec where it's mandated - which get wet sticky and icy snow a lot.

I live in small town High River and have yet to see a reason to buy winter tires. For sure i could go out and buy some but what would be the point when 95% plus of time it would be driving on dry pavement. We don't live in a snow belt where a lot of snow is being dumped every year.

[JohnnyO]

I just put the Nokians WRG2 Suv on my Pilot and they are sweet. Kal Tire is the only seller and it will be around $1000 with an alignment.

[Old Yeller]

So do all weather tires degrade or lose their tread faster than all seasons would?

Not implying that would affect my decision, I'm just trying to fully wrap my head around the differences.

[FurnaceFace]

All Weather are in theory more like winter tires in that you get more grip and control in snow and ice. They have the same mountain and snowflake logo on them as winter tires do.

From this review of the Nokian WR http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/hl/nokian.htm:

Most tire manufacturers produce dedicated winter tires that bear the severe service emblem (a snowflake on a mountain) on the sidewall. The emblem is used on tires that meet specific traction requirements on snow and ice at low temperatures, and is recognized by Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada.

I'd suggest looking at the WR G2 as I read lots about the WRs have more road noise...although for most of us I'm sure this extra road noise is not really that noticable.

[JohnnyO]

There is an 80,000KM treadlife on the WRG2's I bought. So maybe not as high as a all season but not to shabby.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

So do all weather tires degrade or lose their tread faster than all seasons would?

Not implying that would affect my decision, I'm just trying to fully wrap my head around the differences.

When I did research on these tires a few years ago - I was reassured that they do not degrade any faster than a standard All Season tire. I had Nokians on my Maxima for half a winter, a full summer and the following winter and the tires were still in great shape.