The Winter's Coming Winter Tires Thread

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Just ordered some Continental ExtremeWinter Contacts, anyone used these before? They were highly recommended online.

Have had them a couple of years. 9/10 would mount on my rim again

[ChickenPho]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Just had a set of AT's installed on my truck.

Should be way better then the All season stock tire that were on when I bought it.

I highly suggest getting ahead of the game and get your winters on ASAP.

I got a feeling Winter is coming sooner than later this year...

Got my winters put on today. People always think im crazy that i put on winters in the first week of October, i always do this simply to beat the rush. Places are gonna be slammed from next week and on. Then everyone will be in a panic frenzy to get them on and then complain when they have to wait. Well.....plan ahead.

Sure it puts a bit more wear on my tires (not much really) with the extra couple weeks of mid teens temps, but i dont drive a lot anyways and after 4 winters my snow tires still have 80% tread. And this is with 4 years now from putting my snow tires on early Oct.

Ill be putting on new ones next year anyways, i usually keep 5 years as my limit for how long ill keep tires (regardless of tread left) and wont go past it. The rubber breaks down over time and not worth risking safety. Most will want to squeeze every last ounce of tread out of their tires, not me, I replace sooner as I like to have maximum performance from my tires.

The only crappy thing about putting them on early is snow tires on dry roads suck for handling and ride comfort. Its just mushy. But I can put up with it for a couple weeks.

Besides its already prett cold in the mornings, hovering around 0 in the really morning hours. The drives to work last week sucked on summer wheels cause there were a couple days -1.

[ChickenPho]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

There are some old posts about guys picking up the Federal Himalayas. Can anyone comment on how they were?

I have these on my car and going onto the 5th winter right now. They are really good tires for the price you pay. They are on par with the Hancook WR2s.

I paid $110 for mine per tire in winter 2010. After 4 winters and about 30k KM, I have 80% tread left. The performance of them are really good, never had a problem. Would probably buy the same tires again next year when I get a new set of winters.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I had to put the winters on this weekend - a nail in the summers accellerated the switchovers.

What's the consensus on the gravel rocks that inevitably get jammed into the grooves of the tread? I pick out the larger ones - is this necessary? I figure it affects the ability to evacuate water so I do.

[vtec260]

I put mine on today as well as I'd rather put them on while weather wasn't freezing in the garage. I left the rocks in the treads as they'd aid me on icy roads for extra traction. Went for a quick drive around the block and, man, it was noisy and soft. But I like -1 sizing's less punishing ride with taller sidewalls.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I had to put the winters on this weekend - a nail in the summers accellerated the switchovers.

What's the consensus on the gravel rocks that inevitably get jammed into the grooves of the tread? I pick out the larger ones - is this necessary? I figure it affects the ability to evacuate water so I do.

They're designed to pick up rocks to sort of act like studs. I think your watever evacuation reasoning is a good one though. I think it'd have to depend on the tire, pattern, siping, etc

[The Yen Man]

My winter tires are currently sitting in my garage and I've been itching to put them on. But looking at the long term forecast, it looks like we still have temperature in the teens for the next 7 days. I guess I'll play it by week. But I'm thinking in 2 weeks is probably the max I'd go before putting them on. Unless David Spence tells me otherwise I guess.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Agreed. I just called them this morning actually for a quote for my folks, and they spent a few minutes calculating what seems like a pretty good quote.

I wish that places would reply to emails promptly as well, but I have always had better luck just calling them.

FYI - they are apparently taking appointments for after October 21st, but that's not unusual for any tire shop at this time of year, I don't think.

I dropped in to Kal Tire at Northhill today to ask about getting a tire patched. They offered me Wednesday due to being busy, a lot to do with winter tires. For me it was just a tire patch so went to Canadian Tire on 64th and had it done inside a half hour.

[Nufy]

If your regular shop is busy may i suggest Tire Craft Braeside Auto.
Thats where I got my AT's installed last week.

Order to install in less than a week.

[Chill Cosby]

Anyone know who stocks Nokians in Calgary (or area)?

I need a new set of Hakkapeliita R2s but it appears Kal Tire doesn't carry them anymore (or at least not in the size I need) and going for the studded 8s seems crazy.

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by Chill Cosby

Anyone know who stocks Nokians in Calgary (or area)?

I need a new set of Hakkapeliita R2s but it appears Kal Tire doesn't carry them anymore (or at least not in the size I need) and going for the studded 8s seems crazy.

I think Tunerworks has them

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've found Princess Auto to have mostly cheap chinese-made stuff...which is good for some things, but with tools I usually try to stick to higher quality so i dont have to buy it ever again. I guess I'm wondering what the "Lee Valley" is off the car tool world.

PA actually has some good floor jacks. Just check the reviews online and you'll be able to figure out pretty fast which ones are junk.

Other than that, Canadian Tire has some decent ones as well. As always, never buy anything full price there because they go on ridiculous sales all the time.

This one is pretty good:

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/F...Jack/8160996.p

I bought this one because I prefer steel. The problem being this thing weighs 100lbs:

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/F...Jack/8002093.p

They all go on sale here and there.

[Burke Salad]

Where can you get Nitrogen filled tires topped up? Do you need appointments for such service?

[Bill Bumface]

^Top them up with air. 78% Nitrogen!

[Burke Salad]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

^Top them up with air. 78% Nitrogen!

That wouldnt harm the tire, would it?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

That wouldnt harm the tire, would it?

Outside of the tire is exposed to air...

[GoinAllTheWay]

nm

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Burke Salad

That wouldnt harm the tire, would it?

Although radical, the idea of filling tires with "air" is really catching on.

I have an "air" dispensing device in my garage. For only $20 I'll top you up with 78% Nitrogen. I'd book soon though, word is getting out!

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Although radical, the idea of filling tires with "air" is really catching on.

I have an "air" dispensing device in my garage. For only $20 I'll top you up with 78% Nitrogen. I'd book soon though, word is getting out!

is that for one tire or four?

[Jackpot_Smooth]

Originally Posted by Chill Cosby

Anyone know who stocks Nokians in Calgary (or area)?

I need a new set of Hakkapeliita R2s but it appears Kal Tire doesn't carry them anymore (or at least not in the size I need) and going for the studded 8s seems crazy.

Kal Tire can't get more of them from other stores?