UPDATED: Time For Winter Tires for the Sienna: updated with final quotes

[Trainman]

Updated final quotes are here: http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,63925.msg602026.html#new



It's that time again   

215/65R16 is the size.

Studs are required.

Lots of driving from the Interior of BC to the Coast, so a wide range of conditions can be seen in the 300 km drive: heavy rain-wet snow-compact snow/ice (hence the studs after last years adventures  )-dry fluffy snow.  Also quite a swing in temperatures from +10 to -20.  elevation change is 1,300 m going through the Coast Mountains, so the Coq gets big dumps of snow on the west side, Snowshed Hill area (8% grade is what it is posted at).  No traction control on the van.

Due to the studs, there is limited selection.  Kal Tire is only carrying the Arctic Claw for studded this year; Fountain Tire recommends the Ultra Grip but in a narrower aspect as they do not offer the OEM size as studable.  Other than Canadian Tire, we would need to go to Kamloops for other tires.

Thoughts?

Or other suggestions for a studable winter tire?

[TheMAN]

It's that time again   

215/65R16 is the size.

Studs are required.

Lots of driving from the Interior of BC to the Coast, so a wide range of conditions can be seen in the 300 km drive: heavy rain-wet snow-compact snow/ice (hence the studs after last years adventures  )-dry fluffy snow.  Also quite a swing in temperatures from +10 to -20.  elevation change is 1,300 m going through the Coast Mountains, so the Coq gets big dumps of snow on the west side, Snowshed Hill area (8% grade is what it is posted at).  No traction control on the van.

Due to the studs, there is limited selection.  Kal Tire is only carrying the Arctic Claw for studded this year; Fountain Tire recommends the Ultra Grip but in a narrower aspect as they do not offer the OEM size as studable.  Other than Canadian Tire, we would need to go to Kamloops for other tires.

Thoughts?

Or other suggestions for a studable winter tire?

Lots of choices available. Here are just a few.

Kumho I*Zen Wis (KW19)
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Kumho&tiremodel=I%2AZen+Wis+%28KW19%29

Federal Himalaya WS2
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Federal&tiremodel=Himalaya+WS2

Firestone Winterforce UV
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Firestone&tiremodel=Winterforce+UV

Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Pirelli&tiremodel=Winter+Carving+Edge

Hankook W409 Winter i*Pike
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Hankook&tiremodel=W409+Winter+i%2APike

General Altimax Arctic
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=General&tiremodel=Altimax+Arctic

[Flinter]

I've had a couple of sets of Kumho I'ZEN Stud tires over the years and found them to be a good tire for the money. Not sure if it is available in your size.

[rrocket]

I've had the I-Pikes.  SUPER aggressive looking treat.  I had them on the Echo with NO studs though.  They worked fine.

[Trainman]

Thanks All,

One thing I should mention is that I want to get these from a store, not the internet.

How about the Goodyear Nordic's?  Less than $100/tire for the van's size right now, that's $33 off.  Decent review on CD, especially if studded:  http://www.canadiandriver.com/2007/02/08/winter-tire-test-goodyear-nordic.htm

[airbalancer]

Have you check out http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/30/wo/Home.Promotions-j5OskyEbpH92LFXEC8x7CM/0.5.0.1?fmg%2fdealersPromo%2findex%2ehtml

[Trainman]

Have you check out http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/30/wo/Home.Promotions-j5OskyEbpH92LFXEC8x7CM/0.5.0.1?fmg%2fdealersPromo%2findex%2ehtml

Thanks AB, I will give them a call in the morning.

Also, the Canadian Tire flyer came tonight and they have the General AltiMAX Arctic in the right size for $121, the same price as Kal Tire's Arctic Claw.  The Ultra Grips were quoted at around $190 but the final price won't be known till later.

[PJungnitsch]

I am going to pick up a set of studded Nordics for the back when they come on sale, tired of getting stuck on ice with my X-ice.

I have had two on the front axle, unstudded, for a year, and they have been good.

[airbalancer]

here a tire to lower your CO2
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11949&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+R

[weebl]

Trainman, I've been quite soured on Goodyear from all that I've heard, so I wouldn't want one of their tires personally.  Looks like the Altimax Arctic is a good bet - there seem to be rave reviews on the newer offerings by General.

[Trainman]

Trainman, I've been quite soured on Goodyear from all that I've heard, so I wouldn't want one of their tires personally.  Looks like the Altimax Arctic is a good bet - there seem to be rave reviews on the newer offerings by General.

Thanks weebl,

I have not had much luck with any of the Goodyear's I have going right back to 1988, mostly OEM.

With our Tirecraft turning into a Fountain Tire, and the attitude at Kal Tire here, it is getting harder to find some of the different brands.  At least Fountain is looking for other options but even they said the CT Altimax Arctic was a good tire at an unbeatable price.  They could get an iPike for about $150 but why do that when the Altimax is only $121?  Kal Tire are only offering 1 option (Arctic Claw) with no desire to look for others.  Of course this is the same place that outright refused to sell me AT tires for the Forester, even light duty ones.

So it is looking more and more that it will be my first foray to CT for tires.  And as they are on the van, my wife will be treated a bit better at a CT if the need for a service arises based on past experiences.

[airbalancer]

I got Goodyear for the truck this year , the are an all weather tire they been great so far

[mrthompson]

Keep in mind that balancing is not included in the pricing at Crappy Tire.  I forget how much but it's at least $10 per tire IIRC.  Crappy Tire stores are almost everywhere and usually open 7 days a week, so that's an advantage in case of problems.

[PJungnitsch]

CT doesn't stud tires either, at least the MH one doesn't. I just bought the Nordics today on sale for $74 each for my Mazda. When winter comes I'll haul them down to a different shop to get studding done and the install.

[Trainman]

CT doesn't stud tires either, at least the MH one doesn't. I just bought the Nordics today on sale for $74 each for my Mazda. When winter comes I'll haul them down to a different shop to get studding done and the install.

The flyer we got says "studdable", so I would assume they will stud them, but I will ask.  No issues here about if studs are legal; they are.

Keep in mind that balancing is not included in the pricing at Crappy Tire.  I forget how much but it's at least $10 per tire IIRC.  Crappy Tire stores are almost everywhere and usually open 7 days a week, so that's an advantage in case of problems.

There is no balancing in the other prices I have quoted either (or studding or mounting or...), so its still apples to crabby apples   

But an actual quote is in order.

[mrthompson]

Ah, gotcha.  Most non-CT tire shops I've dealt with have quoted "installed and balanced" pricing.

[Trainman]

Ah, gotcha.  Most non-CT tire shops I've dealt with have quoted "installed and balanced" pricing.

The quote we got from Kal Tire was $803 all in for the Arctic Claw; Fountain is still working on getting a couple of quotes.

[PJungnitsch]

The flyer we got says "studdable", so I would assume they will stud them, but I will ask.

No, that's not a problem, they are certainly studdable, our CT at least just doesn't have the tool to do it.

[TheMAN]

Ah, gotcha.  Most non-CT tire shops I've dealt with have quoted "installed and balanced" pricing.

The quote we got from Kal Tire was $803 all in for the Arctic Claw; Fountain is still working on getting a couple of quotes.

Is that the Artic Claw TXI model?

[safristi]

No, that's not a problem, they are certainly studdable, our CT at least just doesn't have the tool to do it.
[/quote].....

   a stud without a TOOL...............get a GRIP man........................ ..yer slipping...........