Author Topic: Winter tires all year round? (Read 27981 times)

tigerb · « **on:** December 04, 2005, 04:24:27 pm »

I've been driving in Vancouver (Fairview area - close to downtown) for the past 10 yrs with just regular all seasons tires and no problems at all as we don't get a lot of snow here and if/during a few days of heavy snow, I simply don't drive at all and all the snow would eventually melt away in a short few days.

I'm interested to know what are the disadvantages of putting on Winter tires through out the year instead of using a set of Winter tires during Winter and another set of all seasons tires for the rest of the year? What will happen to the car with Winter tires on during the Summer months?

Thanks.

ovr50 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2005, 04:25:58 pm »

They'll just wear out and not be effective after a year or two. Other than that, nothing will happen; although if you're into serious driving (performance), winter tires would be inferior to summers.

tigerb · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2005, 04:50:43 pm »

Thanks ovr50

Ok, If I don't care about fast/performance driving, a set of Winter tires will last about 2 yrs vs a set of all seasons tires will last about 4/5 yrs? (If I'm to put on either set of tires through out the yr)

Regards.

safristi · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2005, 05:00:22 pm »

NOT quite so Fast OVR....there are folks running Dunlop M3's (V Rated winters) year round and say they are better than their ALL SEASONS (NOT dedicated HI PERFORMANCE SUMMERS.) hmm aren't some of the Hi Perf SUMMER rubbers are pretty lame in the WET!!!??.....could be a good debate here...........also the 4 Season Winter rated Nokians are good.........yes they will wear out sooner (winters) but the profile and ratings for some of the Hi PERFORMANCE Winters are better than average ALL SEASONS combined with BASIC WINTERS (Unless yer in the Northern SNOW COVERED 4 month areas)...
So maybe DO the MATH and save the two RIM FANDANGO and Change yer PARTNERS dance ...maybe ..maybe?

Hi PERF WINTERS ALL YEAR are a better deal.........see the ratings fer them.....pretty sweet in H & V
format......

Craig · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2005, 08:32:53 pm »

What Saffy said. I wouldn't be afraid to run an H or V-rated winter year-round. Nokian WR is the only "all-weather" tire I'm aware of, that is marketed as a winter tire you can drive year-round. I've seen people drive their Q-rated winter tires in the summer, but I gotta believe the tires are burning through their tread life at an increased rate.

duck · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2005, 11:07:49 pm »

Quote from: safristi on December 04, 2005, 05:00:22 pm

NOT quite so Fast OVR....there are folks running Dunlop M3's (V Rated winters) year round and say they are better than their ALL SEASONS (NOT dedicated HI PERFORMANCE SUMMERS.) hmm aren't some of the Hi Perf SUMMER rubbers are pretty lame in the WET!!!??.....could be a good debate here...........also the 4 Season Winter rated Nokians are good.........yes they will wear out sooner (winters) but the profile and ratings for some of the Hi PERFORMANCE Winters are better than average ALL SEASONS combined with BASIC WINTERS (Unless yer in the Northern SNOW COVERED 4 month areas)...
So maybe DO the MATH and save the two RIM FANDANGO and Change yer PARTNERS dance ...maybe ..maybe? Hi PERF WINTERS ALL YEAR are a better deal.........see the ratings fer them.....pretty sweet in H & V
format......

Tell me more about those Nokians Safi

My brother -in-law was promoting them over the last few weeks.

My Hankook does not have enough traction when braking

Craig · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2005, 08:39:47 am »

Hankooks will have plenty of traction if you match the tire to the conditions. Your A/S or worn Hankooks will struggle in the winter, but that's kinda the point of winter tires.

Nokian WR is simply a good winter tire that is marketed as an all-weather tire, meaning it is expected to run all four seasons. As always, there are better winter tires (in the Nokian line and others), and better A/S tires, but the Nokian apparently does a decent job no matter the conditions, with acceptable treadwear.

You'll pay a premium for the Nokian WR over most other tires, but you won't need a second set of rims or have to perform seasonly changeovers.

ericthejet · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2005, 10:02:47 am »

I would buy a high quality set of all season tires and be done with it.
You would get a bit better fuel economy as well.

Danomite · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2005, 10:25:34 am »

A good friend of mine runs a parts business here in Ottawa ..........they own the delivery cars that our out on the roads all day, every day, and rack up close to 100000 km/year every year. They run dedicated winter and summer tires for safety, and the winters are Nokian's. They have tried other brands - and no other comes close to the tread life of the Nokian's. Not even close.

Point being, they probably put 40000+ Km's on the winter tires every year - they know about winter tire tread life. Nokian's are one of the few true winter tires that don't sacrifice tread life for winter performance.

On his advice, I run Nokian Hak's on my Outback - and this will be their 3rd year of service. They still have years of service left in them (we only put about 6K on them every winter).

I wouldn't recommend the Hak's for summer use (They have huge lugs, are studable, and the rubber is soft like you would expect in a winter tire). From what I read (elsewhere and above) the WR is engineered like an all season and can be run all year.

D.

safristi · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2005, 02:37:17 pm »

Yeh I don't OWN a DOMINOES....nor drive 100,00 K year round.....and feel Dunlop Winter M3's ALL YEAR "MAY!!?" just be ahead of their TIMES as TRUE!! ALL SEASONS for folks wif 200HP plus vehicles who don't wanna PLAY the November Fandango....change partners and Dozey DO over ta a new set of Tyres & rims.....

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2006, 09:02:04 am »

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/060630-1.htm

CAA-Quebec warns against using winter tires in summer

Craig · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2006, 12:44:17 pm »

Who warns against resurrecting old threads?

random006 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2006, 08:53:35 am »

Quote from: Craig on June 30, 2006, 12:44:17 pm

Who warns against resurrecting old threads?

Very true. However, given that this is the Tire forum, I'd rather resurrect an old thread, than an old tread.

I would not use winters in summer. Most true winter tires will be too squirmy and will wear down way too fast. Perhaps if you lived in or just below the Arctic Circle,...

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2006, 09:09:57 am »

I don't think anything's wrong with posting relevant information in an already discussed thread than start a new thread for the same topic.

safristi · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2006, 10:46:56 am »

NO NEED ta get all HYSTERIS onna us

duck · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2006, 06:00:55 am »

So what should I wear on my hoofs? Nokian WR or Dunlop M3's

morty · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2006, 06:27:00 pm »

I dont think it is dangerous just not generally a good idea. The warmer weather does make the compound that works so well in the snow so very soft. This can mean very poor handling and very rapid treadwear. This is more the case with R, Q and T-rated winter tires. If you are running H or V rated performance winters not as bad. Still not the best conditions to be running a winter. I think common sense and would dictate using "winter tires" in the winter. However, in the case wear tires are worn down past there usefulness in the snow many a person has let them run out in the summer to get those few extra miles.

safristi · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2006, 07:05:20 pm »

Ever the DIPLOMAT MORTY...but the division between Winters & All Seasons is narrowing and in many parts of the upper US & border Canadian areas in "almost" MOOT....except on those hellish few days when ICE should say stay home...and sleet and freezing rain the same response...OR if U are so IMPORTANT to the ONGOING TURNING OF THE WORLD that we can't be without ya for a day walk if close,ski if ya can,ski_doo too,or leave the driving to PUBIC!!! TRANSPO....smart folk might even listen to the weather forecast...call the boss..or move into a motel/hotel around the corner from yer IMPORTANT JOB...no NOT real Estate,LAW,StockBROKER....but say hospital employee or,cop or ambulance guy/gal and emerg service...the Air Contollers will work double shifts eh!! and no one will be flying anyway.....

roundupready · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2006, 08:57:06 pm »

Well. We have a set of old X-Ice on our old Toyota that we haven't taken off from last winter. We only drive around 100 kms/week with that car; we don't take it on highway, just puttering around the neighbourhood in a 10 km radius. Still got enough treads so we are driving it like they are 4-seasons.

That car is expected to die soon, so we didn't bother putting on the good tires. So far, the tires seem to be holding up. Just don't drive it aggressively and don't drive on highway for long period (these tires are not designed for high summer temperatures).

bowser · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2006, 09:47:26 am »

I did the switch from all season to the nokian wr's last fall. I like them. Good in the winter I travel alot on the 401/400 to the North Bay area and they are good on the ice packed backroads and driveways. Have gotton me out of areas I wouldnt go with the all seasons. That being said I know there are better strictly winter tires out there but these are a nice compromise. I dont notice any difference in summer driving - I do no performance driving though.

They really are not that expensive. One location in London was selling them for $120 each installed plus tax the other place $129 each insatlled plus tax. Comparable to expensive all seasons like the Michelin Harmony and not much more than a typical all season in the $85 to $95 range. Look out for tires at places that charge extra, extra for valve stems, disposal fee, etc after the fact.

I do not have the cost twice a year to do tire changes. The added cost of steel rims. The added cost of 4 seperate winter tires. I keep my aluminum on all the time. Dont interupt two saturdays out of my year watching someone change my tires while I pace around the shop floor or the display section. Just put them on and forget about it (check the pressure often).

I would recommend them.