Author Topic: General Altimax Arctic question (Read 35166 times)

dec · « **on:** October 13, 2007, 09:06:47 pm »

I've read that this new tire from General is in fact a copy of the discontinued Gislaved Nordfrost 3. Both Gislaved and General are owned by Continental.

Is the Altimax Arctic an exact copy? The thread is obviously the same but it is made from the same rubber? I'm looking to purchase new winter tires for our brutal Quebec City winters. Locally, 4 Altimax Arctic out installed would cost 100$ less than Gislaved Nordfrost 5. I'm very tempted to try them...
Any opinions?

morty · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2007, 06:25:52 am »

Brand new tire...no word yet.

Craig · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2007, 11:34:36 am »

Well, the tread pattern looks like an exact copy. You could choose a lot worse tires to copy:

dec · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2007, 07:02:55 pm »

I know it's identical and the NF3 was a fine winter tire. Still wondering if the rubber is the same, cheaper or if Continental made some improvements.
Too early to tell I guess...

dec · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2007, 11:00:42 pm »

Well Continental is not the only company reincarnating the Nordfrost3.

dec · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2007, 11:02:51 pm »

Meet the Wanli Challenger

It's safe to say that only the thread is the same

morty · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2007, 03:02:26 am »

I think everyone is copying this tire....Nokian Haka RSi

Craig · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2007, 11:05:26 am »

Quote from: dec on October 15, 2007, 11:02:51 pm

Meet the Wanli Challenger

It's safe to say that only the thread is the same

Must be another Continental brand, or how would they get around patents? By reversing the tread?

Ahhh...Made in China...now it makes sense.

The Pirelli Winter Carving was an early immitator of the NordFrost 3. Owning a set, and driving closed, unplowed roads last winter, I can tell you that the NF 3 are fantastic in deep snow. Just fantastic. After the Superbowl weekend last year, my wife wanted to buy the car and tires a present.

IMASA · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2008, 01:38:48 am »

Bumping an old thread.

Does anyone have any experience with these tires? They're super cheap in my size from the Tire Rack. I figure any winter tire is better than the summer tires that I have. This is for a Mazdaspeed3. My only concern is the performance on the dry roads that we get here in Vancouver, BC. However, I figure if I drive normally, it should be fine.

scorpian5 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2008, 10:51:39 pm »

I had a set on a ford focus last winter they where louder than normal tires but from what i have heard most snow tires are louder. They worked fine for me plenty of traction but i sold that car and need a new set.

X-Traction · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2008, 10:48:12 pm »

This is a good question. Like others here, I would buy a considerably more expensive tire than a tire I don't know much about. Unfortunately, this tire doesn't show up much in comparisons. If it indeed is an equivalent in construction and materials to known tires with the same pattern, then it would be no-brainer to choose it. But as it is, few will choose a tire that they will be owning and using for years, and which they may regret buying.

Isn't there a Continental with this same tread pattern?

dec · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2008, 09:14:03 pm »

I was satisfied with them last winter, I can't really compare how well they performed since it was my first winter with an AWD car. 2 other coworkers also bought them and they have no regrets.

FWIW- Last winter, CAA was recommending the Altimax Arctic in Quebec...

scorpian5 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 03, 2008, 03:00:22 pm »

I had a set of 4 on a 2000 focus last winter and they worked great. I just put 4 on my 2008 honda civic and will be trying them out today. I was going to put the ws-60 on but they where a bit to much $$$$$

Lexusfreak · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2008, 01:09:34 am »

I'm wondering about these too for my wife's Forester. My first two choices would be the new Michelin X-Ice Xi2 & the Yokohama Ice Guard IG20.....but can't find any left.

Anyone else have experience with these? The prices are reasonable.

gotak · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2008, 10:38:00 am »

Wish I can tell you but my sister ordered hers and just left them in the living room and haven't mounted them yet.

What's the point of getting winters when you are just going to leave them in the living room taking up space?

For what it's worth the rubber is softer then my Gislaved NordForst 5s.

Lexusfreak · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2008, 12:38:32 pm »

If you google 'General Altimax Arctic tire reviews' you will find some more detailed info.

The thing I like about them is they are made in Germany. Here's one article I found...

http://www.autocarepronews.com/default.aspx?type=art&id=81741&

Rick89GTS · « **Reply #16 on:** January 20, 2009, 10:37:54 pm »

All these tires use the same tread pattern /mold:

General Tire Altimax Arctic
Nokian Hakka 5
Nokian RSi
Gislaved Nordfrost 3
Wanli Challenger
Hankook W409 I'Pike
Pirelli Wintercarving

There's one more but I can't recall the name......

Noobee · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2009, 09:41:14 pm »

I'm thinking of getting the ARctics for my wife next year. They're also studdable. I'm not sure if I'll get them locally or from Tire Rack in the US.

braxus · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:25:18 pm »

I just ordered a set of the Altimax Arctic tires due to all the positive reviews I've read on them. I almost went X-Ice 2 tires, but the price was a bit high for them. I'll see how these handle on my Mazda 323. I picked up a set of Honda 14" rims to put these on my car. I like the tread on this tire. Another option was the Nokian Hakka R, but those too were expensive.

What are people's recent opinions of the Altimax Artic compared to Nokian R and Blizzak WS60? Also is the Hankook I Pike really the same tire as the Altimax Arctic? I see reviews of the General tire, but not the Hankook.

maritime_storm · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:49:51 am »

The Artic Altimax is available at Canadian Tire.