Snow Tires - We Meet AGAIN!

[ragingfish]

Ok, here we are approaching snow-tire-buying season (not necessarily winter, though ) and I'm in a pickle. Over a barrel. Between a rock and a hard place. In a jam. In a tizzy. In a dilemma. You get my jive...My stock wheels on my G6 are 17x7, running 225/50 R17 crapinental no-season tires. I want to invest in solid snow tires for this coming winter, I got lucky last season because there were no major storms. I don't want to play the odds again this year.I bought 4 G6 stock steel wheels, 16x6". I need to find a tire that will fit these wheels while maintaining a close-enough ratio in size to prevent any complications with inaccurate speed readings, ABS failures, etc. My first move was to look into the Green Diamonds I so dearly loved. Naturally, they don't have the ideal size, 225/55 R16, which would yield only a 0.4% difference in overall diameter. The best options they can offer me are 225x60 R16 or 215/60 R16, which have overall diameter variances of 3.0% and 1.2%, respectively. Of course, the 3% one is a no brainer - I won't even touch that. The question, and basis for my poll, becomes this.Do I(A) stick with a brand snow tire I have used and truly trust, but run with a 1.2% slower variance in size, and possibly risk issues beyond speed (such as ABS), or(B) go with a different brand, in the ideal tire size - 225/55 R16 - and start the test phase all over again, HOPING that I make a good choice.If you vote B, please recommend a snow tire YOU HAVE PERSONALLY USED AND WOULD RECOMMEND, and not just a tire that you have "heard is good."Thanks y'a;ll.

[BlueCrush]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Go with the 215/60/16 Green Diamonds...or is it blue moons or pink hearts or yellow stars (No Wait! that's Lucky Charms...nvm. )

[millster]

I voted for go another way. Not that you can't necessarily trust the reliablity though. And here's why.When I owned my Vibe, I had to buy winter tires. Obviously, I live in MT. We DO have winter here. My Vibe came with the factory 17s and the Dunlop summer-only tires.My job required a lot of over-the-road travel and I couldn't use poor weather as an excuse not to travel. I NEEDED something reliable.I purchase the Goodyear Ultra Grip tires from Tirerack and was never disappointed. I travelled hundreds of miles a month and never once felt like I was in any danger. We're talking about major snow and ice too. Mountain passes over the continental divide, whiteout conditions in Glacier National Park, etc. Then, when I purchased my Sebring, I drove it through the first winter on the factory Goodyear all-seasons. I say drove but what I really mean is skated. It was like the car had a magnetic attraction to curbs. Taking a corner at anything over 1MPH was dangerous. I was genuinely scared to drive my car in the snow. I still had my Ultra Grips in the garage but the Vibe's wheels wouldn't fit the Sebring. The following winter, I had the tires mounted to the factory Sebring wheels since I couldn't dream of another season of sliding. I didn't want to end up in an accident. It was like a whole new car. Sure footed as anything on ice, snow, water, whatever. The Sebring does not have ABS and as with the Vibe, I never once felt like I was in any danger. I can, with every confidence, recommend the Goodyear UltraGrip tires. They've never let me down.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by millster »I voted for go another way. Not that you can't necessarily trust the reliablity though. And here's why.When I owned my Vibe, I had to buy winter tires. Obviously, I live in MT. We DO have winter here. My Vibe came with the factory 17s and the Dunlop summer-only tires.My job required a lot of over-the-road travel and I couldn't use poor weather as an excuse not to travel. I NEEDED something reliable.I purchase the Goodyear Ultra Grip tires from Tirerack and was never disappointed. I travelled hundreds of miles a month and never once felt like I was in any danger. We're talking about major snow and ice too. Mountain passes over the continental divide, whiteout conditions in Glacier National Park, etc. Then, when I purchased my Sebring, I drove it through the first winter on the factory Goodyear all-seasons. I say drove but what I really mean is skated. It was like the car had a magnetic attraction to curbs. Taking a corner at anything over 1MPH was dangerous. I was genuinely scared to drive my car in the snow. I still had my Ultra Grips in the garage but the Vibe's wheels wouldn't fit the Sebring. The following winter, I had the tires mounted to the factory Sebring wheels since I couldn't dream of another season of sliding. I didn't want to end up in an accident. It was like a whole new car. Sure footed as anything on ice, snow, water, whatever. The Sebring does not have ABS and as with the Vibe, I never once felt like I was in any danger. I can, with every confidence, recommend the Goodyear UltraGrip tires. They've never let me down.Thanks for the advice, but sadly, the Goodyears are not available in either my stock 17" tire size or the ideal size for the 16's...Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Get the cheapest snow tire that is the correct fit. I for one would not spend too much money on a dedicated snow tire if they are only going to be really "tested/used" maybe 5-4 times in 4 months. I have done ok without winter tires the last few years and that was driving a RWD Truck with no snow tires. This will be my first winter wtih FWD. If you have Traction Control and FWD with your vehicle + cautious driving would be more than enough oo.You would think "cautious driving" would be enough, but that's not the case. I'm not going to just get cheap tires just to say I have snow tires. I want something that will do what I want it to and not put my damn life at risk. I have a lengthy commute, and I travel a lot, so I'm not going to skimp on something as crucial as a tire -- the ONLY thing between the car and the road.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

ragingfish, May I suggest Nokian Hakkapelitta RSi in your proper size of 225/55R16.http://www.nokiantires.com/en/tire_hakkarsi.aspxThese are the best winter tires I have ever owned, from Blizzaks to Goodyears to Michelins.These are the best. I live in Calgary, I snowboard almost every weekend all winter long and these have got me through it all. They are on from end of Oct. to end of March.I do have to admit to you they are not on my Vibe. They have been on my forester (P205/55R16) for 2 seasons and look like 2 more are easily still left.There will be a bunch of others chiming in about what winter tires are the best... I think these are in this size range. IMHOgood luck,CAN-AWD-VIBE

[Raven]

I also recommend Nokian. I have the Nokian WR, the only 4 season tire with an extreme winter rating. They also have a treadwear rating unlike all other snow tires.