SUV, CUV and minivan tires
There are a number of tires available for them also. The best pick is the Yokohama Geolandar IT G072 for price, quality and performance. The tread depth varies from 13 to 15/32 and so they offer great snow traction. The tire is designed 3-D stripes which create strong tread block, perfect for ice and snow. Previously, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3was the reference point however it has been replaced by the Blizzak DM-V1. As it has yet to be properly evaluated, we can't give it a nod however seeing as though it is an evolution of the DM-Z3, it should do well. The Toyo Open Country G02+ offers similar performance as the car G072 and proves to be a good alternative.
Performance winter tires
There are a number of people that have vehicles that are equipped with 17, 18 or even 19" performance tires. For the winter, in the case of a lease for example, it may be an expensive proposition to buy an extra set of steel wheels so getting original sized winter tires is often times the best way to go. Here is the best choice one can make. It is a Toyo Observe Garit KX. It has an aggressive tread pattern and has 12/32 of depth, more so than any other performance winter tire.
Another issue closely related to performance winter tires are runflat winter tires. A runflat tire is one that will allow you to travel a short distance without any air pressure in the tire. Those that have a car shod with runflat summer tires will most likely need to get runflat winter tires. This could be crucial for those that may require road side assistance. As far as I understand, you may not get the service free of charge if you are rolling on regular winter tires. And yes, these tires will cost more money to purchase than an average equal-size winter tire.
The best setup to have is to always have a set of good winter and summer tires on separate wheels. Some manufacturers claim that they have developed the ideal or “real” 4-season tire but the fact of the matter is that it is next to impossible to get both performance extremes in one single tire. As is always the case with tires, maintaining tire pressure is crucial especially as the outside temperature drops. This will help to avoid uneven wear and damage to this expensive yet sound investment.
A few tips:
When the average ambient temperature dips to between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, the time to consider switching to your winter rubbers has come as 4-season (performance tires well before) compounds begins to lose elasticity. If you still have doubts about what winter tires to get, minimally consider the ones that have the snowflake logo on the sidewall.
Dates to remember in Quebec:
For studded tires, you may use them as of October 15th.
All registered passenger vehicles must have winter tires as of December 15th.
photo:Jupiter Images, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Toyo
There are a number of tires available for them also. The best pick is the Yokohama Geolandar IT G072 for price, quality and performance. The tread depth varies from 13 to 15/32 and so they offer great snow traction. The tire is designed 3-D stripes which create strong tread block, perfect for ice and snow. Previously, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3was the reference point however it has been replaced by the Blizzak DM-V1. As it has yet to be properly evaluated, we can't give it a nod however seeing as though it is an evolution of the DM-Z3, it should do well. The Toyo Open Country G02+ offers similar performance as the car G072 and proves to be a good alternative.
 |
| Yokohama Geolandar IT G072 |
Performance winter tires
There are a number of people that have vehicles that are equipped with 17, 18 or even 19" performance tires. For the winter, in the case of a lease for example, it may be an expensive proposition to buy an extra set of steel wheels so getting original sized winter tires is often times the best way to go. Here is the best choice one can make. It is a Toyo Observe Garit KX. It has an aggressive tread pattern and has 12/32 of depth, more so than any other performance winter tire.
Another issue closely related to performance winter tires are runflat winter tires. A runflat tire is one that will allow you to travel a short distance without any air pressure in the tire. Those that have a car shod with runflat summer tires will most likely need to get runflat winter tires. This could be crucial for those that may require road side assistance. As far as I understand, you may not get the service free of charge if you are rolling on regular winter tires. And yes, these tires will cost more money to purchase than an average equal-size winter tire.
The best setup to have is to always have a set of good winter and summer tires on separate wheels. Some manufacturers claim that they have developed the ideal or “real” 4-season tire but the fact of the matter is that it is next to impossible to get both performance extremes in one single tire. As is always the case with tires, maintaining tire pressure is crucial especially as the outside temperature drops. This will help to avoid uneven wear and damage to this expensive yet sound investment.
A few tips:
When the average ambient temperature dips to between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, the time to consider switching to your winter rubbers has come as 4-season (performance tires well before) compounds begins to lose elasticity. If you still have doubts about what winter tires to get, minimally consider the ones that have the snowflake logo on the sidewall.
Dates to remember in Quebec:
For studded tires, you may use them as of October 15th.
All registered passenger vehicles must have winter tires as of December 15th.
 |
| Toyo Observe Garit KX |
photo:Jupiter Images, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Toyo