We just installed Latitude X-Ice 2s on our SUV. They feel as confident as any winter tire I've owned. Maybe the car version isn't as good, but the Latitudes are higher rated than similar spec Blizzaks.
Interesting to hear such mixed results with the X-Ice. It seems to get great results in the reviews (up there with the Hakkas), but maybe with our winters where it's more about packed ice than snow, it's not as good of a fit.
I think I'll just go with the studded Hakka's then and finally see what the fuss is about.
3 years seems short to me. How often did you guys have to change your tires due to wear?
For a winter tire, not really. I put a lot of miles on them, and it's not like you can run them down to bare tread. At about half tread wear, a winter tire loses it's advantage, so I typically change to a new set around that time.
It's not mixed results, it's mixed feeling. They may get similar test scores in terms of stopping distance and the like, but there's something to be said for a feeling of stability.
The flip side is, if you're mostly driving on plowed roads, they're quieter, more fuel efficient and in general closer to the feel of an all-season than anything else on the market. They're also supposed to have good tread life on cleared pavement. That does describe most of Calgary driving... What we had last week was an anomaly.
That said, studded hakkas are probably about as good as it gets.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
Interesting to hear such mixed results with the X-Ice. It seems to get great results in the reviews (up there with the Hakkas), but maybe with our winters where it's more about packed ice than snow, it's not as good of a fit.
I think I'll just go with the studded Hakka's then and finally see what the fuss is about.
I don’t know who’s been Giving them positive reviews but I’ve slid around once too many with the X ice. I remember trying to brake at an intersection and needing to purposely steer the car into the concrete divider to avoid collision with the car ahead of me because I was sliding too much. And I was only going at 50km/hr
Between 5 and 10 years and for winters I'd probably err on the side of 5 rather than 10 since the softness or flexibility of the tire (which reduces over time) is even more important to its function.
The price better be a fraction of a new tire to convince me to buy a 5 year old tire (since I'm going to want to use it only for a year or two), and often ppl are wanting close to what a new tire would be.
And yeah Kijiji people are hilarious with their tire depth ratings...
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303 is expensive? Compared to what? You don't have to use it specifially, Mothers makes a good protectant same with Simoniz. Think I've posted this before I file it under the category of need more evidence.
303 is expensive? Compared to what? You don't have to use it specifially, Mothers makes a good protectant same with Simoniz. Think I've posted this before I file it under the category of need more evidence.
Compared to not using it. Or other products that are cheaper. This is why I asked.
Got my winters on now. They are fairly old WS70's though and need to be replaced. They have enough life to get me to where the rush for winters this season is over so have some time.
Trying to decided between the newer WS80's and the Hakkapeliitta R3's. Anyone tried both and have an opinion?
Compared to not using it. Or other products that are cheaper. This is why I asked.
303 is about the same price as competing products a 32oz bottle was $25 last time I bought it. If you have a car that sits in the sun a lot it makes a big difference only downside is sometimes treated surfaces form a brown-ish coating not sure why.
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303 is about the same price as competing products a 32oz bottle was $25 last time I bought it. If you have a car that sits in the sun a lot it makes a big difference only downside is sometimes treated surfaces form a brown-ish coating not sure why.
I just checked and I think that has come down since the last time I looked a few months ago. It was $45 a bottle unless you were in the states.
Your tires do not need anything. It is not recommended by any automotive journal or manufacturer than I’ve ever seen, anyhow. If you think about it, the idea floating around the internet that a spray will reduce the wear on tread is absurd. To prevent sidewalk damage from years in the sun...maybe? Bags are intended to prevent UV damage, and keep your car clean when transporting them. If they’re stored out of direct sun, you don’t even really need them.
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So the only way that could work is if it affects the tire's material composition. And if it affects the tire's composition... is that at all safe? It'd change stopping distance, grip, every characteristic of the compound, and it hasn't been tested that way. I would think that it'd be worse news if it works.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
