Author Topic: 2011 Rav4 V6 Snowtires (Read 2132 times)

saint_satan · « **on:** January 26, 2011, 01:47:26 pm »

Some of you may have followed my Forester vs. Rav4 thread. It was close, but I went with the RAV4.

Any suggestions for snowtires? I was going to grab some General Altimax Winters. I have a Cousin in the business so I can get a decent deal.

When do the winter tire clear-out sales begin?

EV Dan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:53:50 pm »

Quote from: saint_satan on January 26, 2011, 01:47:26 pm

Some of you may have followed my Forester vs. Rav4 thread. It was close, but I went with the RAV4.

Any suggestions for snowtires? I was going to grab some General Altimax Winters. I have a Cousin in the business so I can get a decent deal.

When do the winter tire clear-out sales begin?

My dad has them and they are great, just maybe not as easy rolling as the OEM all-seasons. If you want the absolute best, according to the CR, that would be X-Ice 2 by Michelin., but they are pricier last time I checked.
I wouldn't wait for clearance pricing coz by then the retailers will run out of stock on many sizes and won't get them back until fall.

Self-correction: there is no such thing as absolute best in tires, anyway. CR reports that Xice2 are better in ice, ride comfort, noise and rolling resistance while the Arctics shine in wet braking, lower hydroplanning, and are equally top score in snow traction.

tortoise · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:20:33 pm »

The most recent Canadian Tire flyer had their "Buy one get the next half-off" special.

Guy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2011, 03:34:56 pm »

The Altimax is a great tire and a great value. That's what I'll use on the TL next year.

davidy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2011, 09:35:02 pm »

Quote from: DanYanoff on January 26, 2011, 01:53:50 pm

If you want the absolute best, according to the CR, that would be X-Ice 2 by Michelin., but they are pricier last time I checked.

CR had rated the Michelin XIce Xi2 as #1....but they are not the best winter tire....check out their reviews...in certain conditions like wet snow, they are not that good as reported by a number of owners who had bought the Xi2.

The General Altimax Arctic are a good winter tire, designed primarily snow than ice....for very good ice traction, they need to be studded (if studs are legal in your province or state). Noise is also fair to good, even with studs.

Dave

rrocket · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2011, 09:38:43 pm »

We love our Xice2. Have them on all 3 of our cars that see winter duty.

mrthompson · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2011, 03:44:44 pm »

Have you considered Blizzaks? WS-70?

Mike · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2011, 03:45:22 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on January 26, 2011, 09:38:43 pm

We love our Xice2. Have them on all 3 of our cars that see winter duty.

They are awesome on the Subie too

evil_twin · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2011, 04:31:20 pm »

Probably lots of good options out there. Depends on whether you want something aimed more for snow, or ice, or even just dry winter conditions.

I run Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on the WRX, and they've been great. But I think they're error a little more on the sport side of things than fullblown snow and ice traction.

I had Blizzaks on my old mustang and they were great too - and a better fit for something that REALLY needed help in the snow.

You probably can't go wrong with any of the good makes.

rrocket · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2011, 04:39:18 pm »

Since you have AWD, would you really need something for deep snow? I guess it depends on your local weather.

safristi · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2011, 04:52:03 pm »

My son has had the General Altimax Artic Winters on his Passat Wagon since November.............got the last 4 in his size.......no problems running it around London...Stratford area...but wearing the ruffles and payin' fer the gas in dubloons has been a pain.

.....as has been the snow.....i've borrowed it on occasions and better than the Ranger wif Nordic Winters,,,,,,(slightly better than Millie wif tha Michelin Pilot Exaltos....

...

......

$525 All in fer 4...................decent price.....more than decent tyre.............as has been said 2nd to Ice 2's in Consumers RETORTS and i believe 1st on Tire Racks consumer REPORTS......
..

saint_satan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2011, 09:32:21 pm »

I won't see a ton of super deep snow. I'm thinking something that will deal with slush and compacted snow/ice we get at the cottage. I'd rather get something that isn't too noisey.

Selection is starting to get limited. My cousin can get a great price on the Gislaved Nordfrost 5 and the YokohamaGo72.

CT flyer just showed up - I'll see what the skinny is on the Altimax Winters. I may go with the 16" rim rather than the 17". It cuts $40 per tire

Careener · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:13:29 pm »

I just bought Nordfrost 5s to replace my old Graspics. I actually got a better price in Canada than shipping up from the US for once.

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:02:04 am »

Nordics are on a pretty good sale now at CT. I've liked mine.

airbalancer · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2011, 06:13:56 am »

Quote from: saint_satan on January 27, 2011, 09:32:21 pm

I won't see a ton of super deep snow. I'm thinking something that will deal with slush and compacted snow/ice we get at the cottage. I'd rather get something that isn't too noisey.

Selection is starting to get limited. My cousin can get a great price on the Gislaved Nordfrost 5 and the YokohamaGo72.

CT flyer just showed up - I'll see what the skinny is on the Altimax Winters. I may go with the 16" rim rather than the 17". It cuts $40 per tire

Just go with the great price your cousin can get

Trainman · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:28:26 pm »

I will throw my opinion in on this.

We have Blizzak WS-60 on the Forester and the General's, studded, on the Sienna.

My observations: the General's are much better in slush/deep snow than the WS-60, and not too bad on ice with the studs. For the kind of driving I have been doing with the Forester, I am not sure I would get the Blizzak's again, especially for the cost (almost $1,200 for 4, installed, on winter rims).

Were the Blizzak really shine is ice, compact snow and cold temperatures, even without studs they have excellent grip. But are just not seeing those kinds of winters here the last 2 years.

So both my wife and I have been very happy with the General's and would not hesitate to recommend them or buy them again.

Edit: if you can't get the exact OEM size, consider getting a winter rim/tire package, you may be able to get a 16" set that will be less money in the long run and may have a better availability of sizes right now. Just need ot make sure the new rims fit around the brakes.

5 Wheel Drive · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2011, 01:41:15 pm »

We've got the Yokohama Ice Guard ig20's on the Forester. They've been excellent, good traction in deep snow, they're also very quiet. We're on our 3rd winter with them there's still lots of tread left.

Minou · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:43:59 am »

For your application, I would seriously consider the Continental Extreme Winter Contact. I have a set since November on my FWD Santa Fe and they are available in SUV sizes contrary to some others mentionned above. They are very silent on dry pavement and ride well. Tread is not the deepest for heavy snow but this tire looks to be more pavement oriented than some of the other popular models although I have to really push it on snow to get the stability and traction control light to flash.

Some of the reviews (including one one this very site) I read also place it at or very near the top of the heap while costing less than the premium brands (Michelin, Bridgestone).

saint_satan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:19:10 pm »

Any one have experience with Cooper Weathermaster? My cousin also has a line on those as well. $40 cheaper per tire than the Michelins

saint_satan · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:49:06 pm »

Selection is low this time of year - I found a set of Michelin X Ice 2 at a reasonable price. Decision made - going on tomorrow at 8 a.m.