As the December 15th deadline fast approaches (like, tomorrow), I thought it useful to recount my winter/summer tire story. For starters, I purchased a used 2004 Volvo XC70 in the Fall of 2008. As I picked up the car in Toronto (not in my native Montreal), I was aware that the car required some new rubber.
In my position, as an auto journalist, I have the distinct advantage of not only test driving new cars, but trying many related products and this includes tires. Before I went off making phone calls to every rubber factory, I did some thinking and searching.
Throughout my years as a car critic, I've been privy to evaluating numerous cars and “trucks” shod with various makes of tires. Some have stood out as being excellent while others did nothing to improve the vehicle other than, for the dealer, listing “tires” as standard equipment.
Some names are familiar or even well known. In the winter tire department, Bridgestone and their Blizzaks are amongst the best known. Having owned Toyos and Yokohamas in the past, I considered Michelin, Gislaved and Dunlop as potential test subjects as they are seldomly installed on press vehicles. Also, given the reputation and size of each manufacturer, I thought they would be best suited to supply me with new rubber.
As the phone calls and emails pilled up, Continental, distributor of Gislaved, turned out to be the best match for availability, size and performance; a Swedish tire on a Swedish car, what could be better?
Well, it turns out that these oft overlooked tires are quite impressive. You're telling yourself that I have to say this but the facts speak for themselves. Other than a massive pothole in which I thought I was going to bury my Volvo, that caused nothing more than a blow out (the car travelled 15 km with a gash in the sidewall of the principal victim), the tires have performed flawlessly.
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In my position, as an auto journalist, I have the distinct advantage of not only test driving new cars, but trying many related products and this includes tires. Before I went off making phone calls to every rubber factory, I did some thinking and searching.
Throughout my years as a car critic, I've been privy to evaluating numerous cars and “trucks” shod with various makes of tires. Some have stood out as being excellent while others did nothing to improve the vehicle other than, for the dealer, listing “tires” as standard equipment.
Some names are familiar or even well known. In the winter tire department, Bridgestone and their Blizzaks are amongst the best known. Having owned Toyos and Yokohamas in the past, I considered Michelin, Gislaved and Dunlop as potential test subjects as they are seldomly installed on press vehicles. Also, given the reputation and size of each manufacturer, I thought they would be best suited to supply me with new rubber.
As the phone calls and emails pilled up, Continental, distributor of Gislaved, turned out to be the best match for availability, size and performance; a Swedish tire on a Swedish car, what could be better?
Well, it turns out that these oft overlooked tires are quite impressive. You're telling yourself that I have to say this but the facts speak for themselves. Other than a massive pothole in which I thought I was going to bury my Volvo, that caused nothing more than a blow out (the car travelled 15 km with a gash in the sidewall of the principal victim), the tires have performed flawlessly.
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