Snow tires? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

slalemand · 12-23-2008, 07:32 AM

Hi folks. What are folks using for snow tires on their Avalons, and what are your thougts on them?

I had Dunlop Grasspic on my Camry, and they seem nice. I thought I would try the Bridgestone Blizzaks, and so far, I'm NOT a very big fan of these tires. I've found myself having to back dow a small incline as it was spinning and not going forward.

Where the car is so much bigger then a Camry, maybe I should be considering studded tires?

I'm in Maine and drive no matter what the weather. This is because I'm crazy, but also because others who won't and can't drive in messy weather will call me to bring them places. I'm cool with this (which is why I do it), but I must admit, at this time, I'm thinking of getting a different tire.

Now I choose these after reading some review, but I may have put to much stock in getting a tire that is quiet, and not worry enough about a tire that was good in the snow?

I went here: http://www.tirerack.com/index_w.jsp and read up on a lot of tires, but maybe didn't read enough reports.

Skip

HMALETTER · 09-29-2009, 10:50 AM

I'm searching for snow tires as I read you post. If you have to drive, no matter what, Get the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 tires. After all these years, I have not found a better winter traction tire yet, and the testers have not either.

I drive 500 miles a week, and this year, I am look at the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D snow tire. As I drive mostly highway driving.

messerchmidt · 10-01-2009, 01:22 AM

I use the nexen win guard SUVs on my avalon (not an SUV, but the tire grips better than their normal winguards)

grandpapa · 10-11-2010, 10:00 AM

bump this

this is going to be the 1st winter for us on the 06. Want to get some idea or update of snow tires selection and driving input.

I don't think our 06 has a VSC off button. Will it be a concern when it come to winter drving? In the Northwest, snow doesn't come hard every year that's why it's hard to decide if winter tires make sense.

Also, with the 17" wheel, same size tires will be more then 16". Anyone use set of wheels and tires for winter or just switch from all season to snow during winter?

How's the Avalon in winter? Tires suggestion? thanks

slalemand · 10-11-2010, 10:15 AM

Well for what it's worth. I drive a lot in the winter, and I have decided it is worth it getting aggressive tires. I went with a few different tires over years, and haven't found any great all-season tires. They are good in warmer months, and good in the winter, not great, but good.

Now if you live on a hill or hilly area, or if you have to drive no matter what the weather, then get the best SNOW tires you can afford. There's nothing more annoying then having your car, be the cause of traffic back ups, or having to change your route home or to a clients, because you need to stay on clean streets or flat ground.

I like the comfort and quietness of the Avalon, and purchase tires based on that. Well I got nice quite tires that suck in the snow, and they cost over $200.00 per tire. I won't make that mistake again.

Skip

HMALETTER · 10-11-2010, 11:12 AM

I had been averaging over 500 miles a week, and just plain need the snows. For summer weather, the Yokahama Envigor proved to be great Long wearing, quiet, good handling.

My winter tires from last year, the Michelin Ice II will go on my new Camry SE. They were pretty quiet, great in slush and rain, pretty fair in snow. Good all-around handling tire as well.

For better, harsh winter weather, two choices.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

General Altimax Arctic. Between $450 and $475 for four at Tirerack.com

I bought the same 215/55 17 tires for summer and winter.

I think I'm going with the Blizzak's for the gf's camry hybrid

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 10-11-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandpapa

bump this

this is going to be the 1st winter for us on the 06. Want to get some idea or update of snow tires selection and driving input.

I don't think our 06 has a VSC off button. Will it be a concern when it come to winter drving? In the Northwest, snow doesn't come hard every year that's why it's hard to decide if winter tires make sense.

Also, with the 17" wheel, same size tires will be more then 16". Anyone use set of wheels and tires for winter or just switch from all season to snow during winter?

How's the Avalon in winter? Tires suggestion? thanks

Thought I'd share my experience with the Avalon and its OEM Michelin's with a local guy...

I took the Avalon through Snoqualmie Pass on three separate occasions during blizzard/whiteout conditions. The first two times without chains and the car performed flawlessly and kept up with the 4x4 trucks. The third time I chained up only because the State Trooper 'insisted' that I do so (or turn around).

The traction control and a vehicle stability program had no ill effects on my ability to keep the car going where I wanted it to. If anything they helped.

I was so impressed with the car and the tires in the 6-inch deep snow going up the pass and down the other side that when it came time for new tires I just went with the exact same tire again (at Costco).

That's my experience - others may vary.

grandpapa · 10-11-2010, 01:12 PM

Snoqualmie Pass is where I go because of the easy I-90 drive

Last year my Camry was stuck at the ski parking lot with michelin hydroedge. Don't want it to happen again, I will probably get the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 for it. Unless we get a AWD van this winter.

Used to have Sienna AWD but totaled last week

still try to figue out AWD or FWD, that's different story...

HMALETTER · 10-11-2010, 06:44 PM

Hard to believe Tom. The lack of traction control on/off button made my life miserable when in anything slick, ice or snow. The Michelin XICE is a pretty good snow tire, but only when it's allowed to spin. I got stuck in my condo parking lot because of this. It was hopelessly embarrassing.

I have the OEM MIchelins on my new Camry SE, and I can already tell they don;t like rain much.

***Tom in Tacoma*** · 10-11-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMALETTER

Hard to believe Tom. (Snipped here)

I have the OEM MIchelins on my new Camry SE, and I can already tell they don;t like rain much.

Oh well. I can live with you not believing it...

And for what it's worth - I live in Washington State (you know, "Where it always rains") and I have zero problems with rain using OEM tires.

grandpapa · 10-11-2010, 07:44 PM

really, why does Toyota decided to put VSC OFF on some cars but not all? I just don't understand. If you look at some of the ~2001-~2004 Lexus, they have that VSC OFF button, the new Camry, Sienna....have VSC button but somewho the 05+ Avalon doesn't have it? Don't know why.

HMALETTER · 10-11-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

Oh well. I can live with you not believing it...

And for what it's worth - I live in Washington State (you know, "Where it always rains") and I have zero problems with rain using OEM tires.

I've heard it rains there, always

Hey, my Michelin snows are pretty good, no Blizzaks, but good.

I'm sure it's the various models, mine not so good, yours very good. Not much consistency nowadays. I believe you just fine Tom, not everything's that black and white.

When I first got the car, I had a set of Kumo performance tires on it. On a rainy day, I was scared to go over 50 mph.

Funny thing now that I have the Camry. Best thing I appreciate is the larger trunk. Just got through unloading the boat stuff for the season, and it made a world of difference. Noticeable. Frankly, I would have bought the Ford Fusion, but I preferred the seats of the Camry SE (bad back).

riceqx2 · 10-12-2010, 05:30 PM

The 2011 Avalon has the Traction/Stability Control OFF button now.

boosted-fc3s · 10-12-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceqx2

The 2011 Avalon has the Traction/Stability Control OFF button now.

Maybe we can retrofit a button. I know in my old hyundai the steering wheel controls only had volume in my 2006, but in 2007 they added track and mode buttons, the new switch plugged right in without any modifications. Not even close to the same system/situation, but it'd be nice if we got so lucky.

grandpapa · 11-02-2010, 02:32 PM

Ok, I am ready to order my 1st set of snow tires/rim but instead of getting the 17 inch setup for my limited. I am going to do the 16" (I belive XL has 16 as standard)

I played with trierack.com and used XL as my car and end up with 215/55/16 with new rim (the cheapest one) for ~$750 + shipping and tax. My question is will that setup work on my Limited? It should?