Topic: Winters for a 2010 Outback I just bought...

[Calbrez]

Hey folks, I am in need of some advice for winter tires. Just bought a 2010 2.5 L Outback.  I am thinking of just going to Canadian Tire out of convenience sake.  I am in Nobleton, Ont,  and there aren't that many good tire dealers within 30 min. From the its at CTC, what would you consider? I'd rather keep it below $165 per tire.. the Altimax looks like a good deal and competent too... any other suggestions? Thanks!

Here's the selection:

http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/tires/search/?vehicle=2010_Subaru_Outback_4%20Dr%20Wagon_2.5i_215%2F70R16%23REGULAR%23Both&showSavedVehicle=true&qty=4&fromAddtoCart=true&add=0062119&forSetCkie=&showInvErr=false&invErrMsg=null

[OliverD]

I've owned several sets of Altimaxes and have been happy with them. Can't go wrong with those IMO.

[davidy]

I think that you may be a day late. CT just had their 25% off sale on the General Altimax Arctics which may have ended on Thursday.

I'm on my 5th winter with the studded General Altimax Arctics...I only drive about 10,000km all year....nearing 50,000 km on my odo at 5 years at the end of  Dec.

Excellent value winter tires....pretty solid, no issues with the freezing rain events, was great when driving over the Rocky mountains between Alberta and BC each winter (half dozen times in 2012-13). The only con is the noticeable drop in gas mileage. I drive a 4x4 truck and I do notice the drop. It was already poor without the winter tires and 200 pounds of sand bags over the rear axle.

The Contintenal ExtremeWinterContact is another tire (Continental owns General too) that I would consider...if they have your tire size. Test results were among the highest at Tirerack.com (comparable to Michelin Xi2/3 and Blizzak WS70).

[Noto]

ah man, I totally posted a reply in the other thread:
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,90247.msg1059917.html#msg1059917

Bought a 2010 Outback today! $14000 with 100KM.

I like that it is bigger. I also prefer the body style somewhat... hopefully it will be a good car for us.

Now off to buy winter tires!!

Thanks!

CON-FRICKEN-GRATULATIONS!!!!  Excellent choice!

The tire size is 215/70R16.  I found steel rims on kijiji. They are 16 inch rims (16x6) with 5 bolts (5 - 4 1/4). Will these work with this tire size?  http://www.kijiji.ca/v-tires-rims/mississauga-peel-region/4-steel-rims-16/1035786050

Stay the **** away from the Michelin X-Ice line based on where you live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot stress that enough.  You don't deal with GTA city icy roads, but often get drifting snow, etc.  The Xi2s really don't handle snow all that well, but ice very well.

There's a Kal Tire at Highway 7 and 400 (just east, in Concord).  Paul, the manager there, is incredible and will take very good care of you.  Also, they do free seasonal changeovers and balancing (but you'd have to check with them if they will, given that you aren't buying the rims from them).

In any event, for that size rim, the Nitto NT90W is a good bet and reasonably-priced.  I'm incredibly happy with the Nitto NT421Q 3-season tires that we put on our Lexus RX400h.

The Yokohama Ice Guard iG51v is also a good option, and I hear good things about the Nordman 5 SUV.

Whatever you put on, make sure that it's a tire specifically designed for a heavier vehicle (it'll ensure that the tread lasts longer).  ...i.e. don't put on the Yokohama iG52c (c is for car, and that's good enough for me!)

BTW, all tires that I list there from Kal Tire are cheaper than the ones offered by CTC...The Nittos also have crushed walnut!  mmm, walnut. If you haven't heard of Nitto before (pronounced 'knit-oh'), they are made by Toyo Tire and are supposedly the "high performance" division.  Supposedly.  Apparently.  Who knows. 

[johngenx]

I am running the Altimaxes on the Highlander and we've had over 30cm of fresh in the last 24 hours with -20C temps meaning where the plows have been they've left glare ice.  The tires have done very well in these trying conditions.  This is my third winter on them, and while they're a step down from the Blizzak WS-70s on our Forester and Corolla, they're a very competent tire.

My only regret is not in having them studded.

[Noto]

you may also find that this late in the season, stock of tires will be very, very low.  My brother was told that Ontario is sold out of the WS80s for the year (unsure whether that means 2014 remainder, or 2015 too) - (they don't make them in your size any way).

[Calbrez]

Hey guys, just picked up the Altimax tires. Yes, I missed the sale 

Noto, Kal Tire is 30 min + and traffic in Vaughan is disgraceful.. I have a newborn baby and time is extremely precious to me so I went to Crappy tire, but will have them installed by my mechanic down the street... he had no tires for me... Crappy Tire still has some tires...

[Noto]

Hey guys, just picked up the Altimax tires. Yes, I missed the sale 

Noto, Kal Tire is 30 min + and traffic in Vaughan is disgraceful.. I have a newborn baby and time is extremely precious to me so I went to Crappy tire, but will have them installed by my mechanic down the street... he had no tires for me... Crappy Tire still has some tires...

Great!  Enjoy!!!

I agree re traffic.  It's the only thing about Kal Tire that I dislike - no locations just 'round the corner.

Go back to CTC and ask them to give you the sale price any way   Sometimes they'll do it if you bat your eyelashes or something.

[davidy]

Hey guys, just picked up the Altimax tires. Yes, I missed the sale 

Noto, Kal Tire is 30 min + and traffic in Vaughan is disgraceful.. I have a newborn baby and time is extremely precious to me so I went to Crappy tire, but will have them installed by my mechanic down the street... he had no tires for me... Crappy Tire still has some tires...

Does CT have price protection? If so, you may be able to get CT to price match quattrotires.com or their next 25% off sale (CT typically has several 25% off each winter...30% off at clearance at year end). The difference in price might be in the form of CT dollars. Hit or miss on CT's PM of quattrotires.com

Dave

[Calbrez]

I went back and got them installed and CT honoured the sale price of $120 (instead of the $145 I paid).  So I got the whole thing done for $840 - tires, rims, install and taxes.

Not bad, I think...

[ArticSteve]

I would say so. 

[johngenx]

I went back and got them installed and CT honoured the sale price of $120 (instead of the $145 I paid).  So I got the whole thing done for $840 - tires, rims, install and taxes.

Not bad, I think...

Excellent.  My Altimaxes have been put to the test in the last few days (40cm+ of new snow) and it's reminded me of what good tires they are.

[rrocket]

I went back and got them installed and CT honoured the sale price of $120 (instead of the $145 I paid).  So I got the whole thing done for $840 - tires, rims, install and taxes.

Not bad, I think...

Excellent.  My Altimaxes have been put to the test in the last few days (40cm+ of new snow) and it's reminded me of what good tires they are.

Excellent to hear!  I did plenty of research and it seems the Forester + Altimaxes are the way to go for the winter.  It took me some convincing not to buy my beloved xIces...

[davidy]

Nice that CT gave you the 25% off sale price on the Generals. The Generals will be in my short list when I get new winter tires over the next year or two. I will be watching the tires to see how they perform in their 5th year. I have read that their performance drops as the tire ages (rubber hardens). I already know that the studs are not doing much anymore.

Dave

[Noto]

I went back and got them installed and CT honoured the sale price of $120 (instead of the $145 I paid).  So I got the whole thing done for $840 - tires, rims, install and taxes.

Not bad, I think...

Boss.  Incredible price!  Stupid FIL paid $1,300 for Blizzak WS70s on the Forester on 16" steelies.  I was livid.  (included storage fees, but still, that's just stupidly expensive)