[Paulie]

Michelin Primacy Tour A/S Quietest tire that I could find and a great all around tire, supposed 55,000 mile warranty. This is the second PHEV that I've put them on.

 

[Packard]

Living in Upstate New York right by the Canadian border makes these tires definitely appealing to me. Considering we maybe get 4 months of no winter weather.

In some parts of Canada, winter rated tires are required for part of the year. These tires will meet those requirements. You will see the “snowflake” design on winter rated tires.
Not only will winter rated tires keep you from getting stuck in the snow, they will help you steer and stop. It will stop and steer better than a 4 wheel drive with all season tires.

 

[brtcpapfs]

My wife's 2017 Limited with the 20-inch wheels is due for a set of new 245/50R20's. It currently has General Altimax RT43's that were put on in Feb 2020. They've got around 40,000 miles on them and I haven't had any complaints. We're in the midwest, so we get a variety of weather throughout the year. Not too much snow, usually, but there's at least few days each winter with snow on the roads.

The Altimax's probably would have lasted longer, but I haven't been very diligent about rotating them, so the fronts are significantly more worn than the rears. Honestly, the rears look like they could work for another 10-20,000 miles. I may just replace the fronts for now, but I'm also thinking about starting fresh with new tires all around, in which case I will make a solemn resolution to rotate them regularly.

Anyway, I just wondered if there's another tire I should be considering. Looking at my paperwork from 2020, I paid $120.99/tire. Now it looks like reputable 245/50R20's start at around $200. So I don't know if I just got some great deal last time, or if tires have just gone up that much in the last 2.5 years. Also, it looks like the Altimax RT43 has just been replaced with the RT45, but I don't how different the new model is.

If your current rear tires are still good, why not just buy two more of same tread pattern for the front. How long do you want to keep it Still through another set of tires or sooner? If you replace two every year or two, you can likely do just fine There is lot of discussion out there about whether front wheel drive vehicles should have better tread on front for traction starting out or on the rear to keep it from sliding around on hard braking in rain. I will not tell you what to do there but there is much discussion from experts about which is better. Good luck and Happy Motoring.

 

[NickAdams]

I'll second Michelin CrossClimate2, I've had them on my Sienna for one full year in MI, and will be putting them on the Pacifica when the OE tires wear out. The are fan-tastic in all conditions, and initial wear is quite good too.

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

If your current rear tires are still good, why not just buy two more of same tread pattern for the front. How long do you want to keep it Still through another set of tires or sooner? If you replace two every year or two, you can likely do just fine

Thanks for the suggestions. That's actually exactly what I ended up doing. The backs are still fairly good, so it seemed wasteful to spend $800+ on a full set. I actually ended up going on eBay and buying a used pair of the same Altimamax RT43's with 90% of their tread for $70/each shipped. I've already gotten them, and they look very good. One was manufactured toward the end of 2020, and the other in the middle of 2021.

My local repair shop only charges $15 to mount/balance a tire and $4 to dispose. So my total to have two almost-new tires installed will be $178. Less than the $200 + mounting for one tire if I had bought new. I may never buy brand-new tires again!

There is lot of discussion out there about whether front wheel drive vehicles should have better tread on front for traction starting out or on the rear to keep it from sliding around on hard braking in rain. I will not tell you what to do there but there is much discussion from experts about which is better. Good luck and Happy Motoring.

Yeah, I've been looking into that, and the experts say it's smarter to put the better tread on the rear, since it helps keep the rear end from sliding around going around a curve in adverse conditions. If we lived in a more rural area with twisty roads, then I would definitely consider putting the newer tires on back. However, living in the suburbs of Indianapolis we mostly only encounter flat roads that meet at 90 degree angles. We very rarely have to take any curves at speed.

So I think it will be fine putting the newer tires on front, since they should be able to cut through standing water better, and grip better in snow. The rears will mostly just be following in the direct path of the fronts. And since the fronts wear much faster, it will kind of balance things out, and hopefully age-out the full set at closer to the same time.

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I'll second Michelin CrossClimate2, I've had them on my Sienna for one full year in MI, and will be putting them on the Pacifica when the OE tires wear out. The are fan-tastic in all conditions, and initial wear is quite good too.

Not to mention that the tread looks very cool on the CrossClimate2's. For whatever that's worth, lol.

 

[gmfreak]

In some parts of Canada, winter rated tires are required for part of the year. These tires will meet those requirements. You will see the “snowflake” design on winter rated tires.
Not only will winter rated tires keep you from getting stuck in the snow, they will help you steer and stop. It will stop and steer better than a 4 wheel drive with all season tires.

My neighbor has these tires and I do see that symbol on them. It's good to know. I live about 5 miles from the Canadian border so I'm pretty familiar with them having to run snow tires in the winter at least in the province across the border from me. I wish I had these tires on the van now is all I know. But can't justify it until I need new tires.

 

[Packard]

My neighbor has these tires and I do see that symbol on them. It's good to know. I live about 5 miles from the Canadian border so I'm pretty familiar with them having to run snow tires in the winter at least in the province across the border from me. I wish I had these tires on the van now is all I know. But can't justify it until I need new tires.

You could use these as winter-only tires until the current tires wear out. Then effectively the only cost you would incur is the changeover costs. Where I live it costs $25.00 per tire to mount and balance. So $100.00 for each switch. You won’t be throwing out good tires, but you will be spending on tire changes.

If you save one tow or avoid one accident, it will be a bargain. Of course you won’t ever know if you have that bargain. But you will know if you “shoulda bought those winter rated tires”.

Note: While these are excellent in deep snow, I believe they are optimized for hard-pack. Riding on hard-pack is no more scary than driving in the rain.

In the Scandinavian countries, where the Nokians were developed, they do not plow the roads in the winter. Instead they drive a kind of steam roller (without the steam) and convert all the snow to hard-pack. Which is why the tires are optimized for hard-pack. Also note that on the Scandinavian roads, which are hard-pack all winter long and part of fall and spring, there is virtually no tread wear at all because the rubber does not wear out on snow. So they could keep a set of winter tires until the sidewalls start to crack—10 years or longer.

But we have to think about tire wear.

I used to run Blizzaks, but they only lasted me about 15,000 miles and they were very expensive.

I recommended Nokian studded winter tires to a co-worker. I warned her that she had to switch the tires for the summer. She got about 4,000 summer miles before they were worn out. They used very soft rubber (but it was harder in the cold weather).

 

[Bond007]

My rears are getting ready to be replaced after nearly 57k miles. I’m in one of the southern states and wondering which tires to pick.

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

All weather tires , just educate yourself on the pros and cons before assuming they work for everybody .

All-Weather Tires on Snow: Disadvantages & Advantages Explained

Are all-weather tires as good as winter tires? How are all-weather and all-season tires different? Here's a closer look with the Pros & Cons.

tractionlife.com

 

[Packard]

All tires make compromises. The designer of the tire decides what is most important and designs to reach that goal.

For example, all season tires generally have a dry weather bias. They do acceptably well in snow for moderate snow accumulations.

Winter tires do very well in snow, but do less well in dry weather.

Summer tires do exceptionally well in dry weather and wet weather, but are thoroughly dreadful in any amount of snow.

Race cars use slicks. A no compromise option for dry weather. But if it starts to rain all the drivers come in immediately to change to rain tires with have some tread.

So All Weather tires are better in the snow than all season tires. All season tires are better in the snow than summer tires. And winter tires are better in the snow than All weather tires.

If you live south of the Mason Dixon line, I would recommend all season tires. If you live in Florida, southern California, the Pan Handle, New Mexico or Nevada, I would recommend summer tires.

Establish your criteria and choose accordingly.

I used to run NokIan Hakkapeliitta R3 tires with studs, which is generally regarded as the very best of the pure winter tires. It works better than the all weather tires in all snow conditions.

However, it gives you almost no indication that it is about to lose traction. One instant you have plenty of traction, and the next you have lost control of the car.

The winter tires lose traction gradually and it is fairly easy to tell when you are approaching the limits of control.

For that reason, I find that the all weather tires suit me better. It is a compromise. Pick what is important to you.

If you want the very best traction in snow, then pick the Hakkapeliitta R3s.

If you want summer tire performance in a snow tire, then pick the Blizzaks. (But note the fact that it is a 12,000 to 15,000 mile tire).

If you want a compromise, then pick one of the all season or all weather tires. Within each category there are biases. Some all weather tires do better in the snow at the expense of dry weather traction.

Some all season tires or “all season” in name only.

 

[g33williams]

Just the thread I needed! So I have a 2019 Limited with the 245/50R/20 and OEM Falkiens. 34k miles - these tires SUCK in rain and especially snow. Not safe. I have plenty of tread left but looking at an all season alternative. I’ve read the thread, is the consensus recommendation the crossclimates from Michelin? Anyone have experience with the Pirelli Verdes, they seem highly rated and much cheaper than the Mich’s. Thanks in advance!

 

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Just the thread I needed!

I'm glad you found the thread helpful. I was kind of surprised when I was shopping around for new 20's and couldn't find a thread like this.

In case anybody on here has not come across it yet, tirereviewsandmore.com has excellent, detailed reviews of a huge variety of tires:

Tire Reviews and More - Research Top Rated Automotive Tires

Tire Reviews And More helps you find the best tires for your vehicle at the lowest prices to save you money. Read our reviews before buying your next set of tires.

tirereviewsandmore.com

Here's the review of the tire I ended up choosing:

General Altimax RT43 Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

Here’s our latest General Altimax RT43 tire review along with specs, information and pricing from Tire Reviews And More.

tirereviewsandmore.com

I’ve read the thread, is the consensus recommendation the crossclimates from Michelin? Anyone have experience with the Pirelli Verdes, they seem highly rated and much cheaper than the Mich’s. Thanks in advance!

Here's their review of the CrossClimate:

Michelin CrossClimate Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

Overview As seasons change so does our attire — in summer, we wear standard apparel with no overalls, whereas in winters we pull out our jackets,

tirereviewsandmore.com

And here's their Pirelli Verde reviews:

Pirelli Scorpion Verde Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

Here’s our latest Pirelli Scorpion Verde tire review along with specs, information and pricing from Tire Reviews And More.

tirereviewsandmore.com

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

Here’s our latest Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tire review along with specs, information and pricing from Tire Reviews And More.

tirereviewsandmore.com

Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus Tire Review & Rating - Tire Reviews and More

Here’s our latest Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus tire review along with specs, information and pricing from Tire Reviews And More.

tirereviewsandmore.com

 

[Packard]

Every comparison I came across had the Nokian G4s at the top. That is what I got. They may be harder to find than the others, I don’t know. The best tire dealer in my area carries them, so it was a no brainer.

 

[Bond007]

These are my fronts at present and I won’t bother with the pictures of rears since they are even worse. I got 60k miles on my OEMs and looking for replacement. Don’t want the OEMs anymore so I won’t go to the dealership. Currently I live in a hot but frequently wet (rains) place and no snow at all. Do you guys recommend All seasons, Summer tires, or all weather. I would also like some comfort, minimal noise, not particularly bothered about tread life/ price, but obviously don’t want it worn out in a couple years or pay out of my nose, lol. Any model recommendations for this particular segment too.
Local tires shops available are Walmart, Sams club, one each of discount tires, Firestone, and a few Tires plus. Not sure which brands they all carry, I suspect Firestone will carry mostly Bridgestone. Thanks.

 

[Packard]

I live about 65 miles north of New York City, but about 60 miles south of the ”snow belt”. We get a lot more snow than the city does (it is about 7 degrees colder here on average in the winter—so more snow).

I had, for several years been using winter tires for the winter and all season tires in the warmer months.

Since I was changing over the tires each snow season, I decided to get summer tires for the warmer months and switch to winter tires when it got cold.

This was probably back in 1989 or 1990. I had Toyo performance summer tires mounted. As expected, the dry weather response was superior to the all season tires. Lots of rubber and smaller grooves between meant more traction. Tire wear was better too.

Surprising (to me) was how well they worked in the rain. They were probably the best wet weather tires I have ever had. They laughed at puddles—apparently immune to hydroplaning.

But…(and this is a BIG “but”), we had an early winter storm that caught me by surprise. The Taconic Parkway is a treacherous road in the winter with winter tires, doubly so with all season tires. I was certain I would slide off the road with the summer tires. Not only the worst tires I had ever driven on in snow, but worse beyond my imagination.

I then switched back to alternating between all season and winter tires, until recently when I discovered “all weather tires”.

If I lived in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina or North Carolina, I probably would use summer tires all year. Arizona, southern California, and Nevada would qualify too.

Note: My nearly 25 year old review of Toyo tires would not be authoritative in 2022. Check online reviews. But if my experience still holds true, then wet weather should not be an issue. (Again, check the reviews.)

But if a freak early fall snow fall does occur, then sit it out in your home. It would be a significant lapse of judgement to drive in the snow on summer tires.

 

[Bond007]

Just to update you guys. I replaced mine with Michelin Primacy AS as a safe bet and has been quite satisfied. I hope they last well.

 

[Cool Minivan..... Nobody]

As someone who lives in WI, I will tell you the General Altimax RT43 is about the best all around tire I've found.

It works wonderfully in all conditions while giving a smooth/quiet ride and still handling well.

I prefer them over the more expensive Michelins and Continentals because the Generals don't lose traction and get noisy as they wear, where the Michelins and Continentals are great new, but once they start wearing, their traction and noise increase substantially.