Snow tire recommendations?

I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly city
roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for the
winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow tires,
the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK, or
should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice tires?

homepc wrote:
[color=blue]
> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly city
> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for the
> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow tires,
> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK, or
> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice tires?[/color]

I have Toyo Observe G-02 Plus winter tires, and they are very good. Not the
cheapest priced but not too expensive either. Excellent snow traction and
decent dry traction, and only minimal noise at highway speeds.

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, homepc wrote:
[color=blue]
> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly city
> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for the
> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow tires,
> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK, or
> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice tires?[/color]


I saw a set of Hankook i*pike tires yesterday mounted on a car...they
looked like thay could make it over the Rockies in FRONT of the plough.

Hankooks are pretty good, and well affordable.

If you don't drive in deep snow often, any pair of all-seasons will do

I have been using all season radial tires on all of my previous cars.
However, I had a couple white knuckle experiences with my last Tercel
sliding through intersections on glare ice. I promised myself that I would
check out some winter tires with my next new car.

The last few winters here have been constant freeze and thaw weather, making
city streets very slippery, despite all the sand and salt being dumped.


"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:S1SYg.4032$5v5.2812@trndny08...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, homepc wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly
>> city
>> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
>> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for
>> the
>> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow
>> tires,
>> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK,
>> or
>> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice
>> tires?[/color]
>
>
> I saw a set of Hankook i*pike tires yesterday mounted on a car...they
> looked like thay could make it over the Rockies in FRONT of the plough.
>
> Hankooks are pretty good, and well affordable.
>
> If you don't drive in deep snow often, any pair of all-seasons will do[/color]

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:54:46 -0500, "homepc" <wiebe08@hotmail.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>I have been using all season radial tires on all of my previous cars.
>However, I had a couple white knuckle experiences with my last Tercel
>sliding through intersections on glare ice. I promised myself that I would
>check out some winter tires with my next new car.
>
>The last few winters here have been constant freeze and thaw weather, making
>city streets very slippery, despite all the sand and salt being dumped.[/color]

Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
help.

later,

tom @ [url]www.CarFleaMarket.com[/url]



[color=blue]
>
>
>"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
>news:S1SYg.4032$5v5.2812@trndny08...[color=green]
>> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, homepc wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly
>>> city
>>> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
>>> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for
>>> the
>>> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow
>>> tires,
>>> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK,
>>> or
>>> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice
>>> tires?[/color]
>>
>>
>> I saw a set of Hankook i*pike tires yesterday mounted on a car...they
>> looked like thay could make it over the Rockies in FRONT of the plough.
>>
>> Hankooks are pretty good, and well affordable.
>>
>> If you don't drive in deep snow often, any pair of all-seasons will do[/color]
>[/color]

Tom The Great wrote:
[color=blue]
> Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
> ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
> help.[/color]

Studded tires are illegal in some places. I don't know if any U.S. states
outlaw them, but they are illegal in Ontario (province in Canada).

"Tom The Great" <Post@here.com> wrote in message
news:a2u7j2huhcrb9cc55kvhpr6sqbluvt0vgd@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:54:46 -0500, "homepc" <wiebe08@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I have been using all season radial tires on all of my previous cars.
>>However, I had a couple white knuckle experiences with my last Tercel
>>sliding through intersections on glare ice. I promised myself that I
>>would
>>check out some winter tires with my next new car.
>>
>>The last few winters here have been constant freeze and thaw weather,
>>making
>>city streets very slippery, despite all the sand and salt being dumped.[/color]
>
> Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
> ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
> help.[/color]

Yeah, but... I don't know if studded snows are legal any longer. (I stopped
using them shortly after I started buying front-wheel drive cars & all
season radials became available, so haven't been paying attention to their
status.) It's probably on a state-by-state basis - their legality, & the
dates between when they can be used.

Personally, I'd just look into tires that have very good ratings for snow,
since glare ice is virtually impossible to deal with effectively, no matter
what. Short of lucking out & following a municipal sander, would need a
contraption that would spread out sand in front of the car as one drives
along... that would work! ;-)

Cathy

[color=blue]
>
> later,
>
> tom @ [url]www.CarFleaMarket.com[/url]
>
>
>
>[color=green]
>>
>>
>>"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
>>news:S1SYg.4032$5v5.2812@trndny08...[color=darkred]
>>> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, homepc wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly
>>>> city
>>>> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't
>>>> priced
>>>> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for
>>>> the
>>>> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow
>>>> tires,
>>>> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires
>>>> OK,
>>>> or
>>>> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice
>>>> tires?
>>>
>>>
>>> I saw a set of Hankook i*pike tires yesterday mounted on a car...they
>>> looked like thay could make it over the Rockies in FRONT of the plough.
>>>
>>> Hankooks are pretty good, and well affordable.
>>>
>>> If you don't drive in deep snow often, any pair of all-seasons will do[/color]
>>[/color][/color]

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:54:46 -0500, homepc wrote:
[color=blue]
> I have been using all season radial tires on all of my previous cars.
> However, I had a couple white knuckle experiences with my last Tercel
> sliding through intersections on glare ice. I promised myself that I would
> check out some winter tires with my next new car.
>
> The last few winters here have been constant freeze and thaw weather, making
> city streets very slippery, despite all the sand and salt being dumped.[/color]

Studded tires, if they are allowed.
Bridgstone Blizzaks are good for icy conditions, and MasterCraft Glacier
Grip is a Blizzak 'ripoff'.

Any snow tire that can be studded would be good.

[color=blue]
>
>
> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
> news:S1SYg.4032$5v5.2812@trndny08...[color=green]
>> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, homepc wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly
>>> city
>>> roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
>>> over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for
>>> the
>>> winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow
>>> tires,
>>> the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK,
>>> or
>>> should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice
>>> tires?[/color]
>>
>>
>> I saw a set of Hankook i*pike tires yesterday mounted on a car...they
>> looked like thay could make it over the Rockies in FRONT of the plough.
>>
>> Hankooks are pretty good, and well affordable.
>>
>> If you don't drive in deep snow often, any pair of all-seasons will do[/color][/color]

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:08:58 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:
[color=blue]
> Tom The Great wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
>> ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
>> help.[/color]
>
> Studded tires are illegal in some places. I don't know if any U.S. states
> outlaw them, but they are illegal in Ontario (province in Canada).[/color]


Wow. They are allowed in Mass, but you can't put them on until Nov 1, I
think, and they have to be off by April 15 (Tax Day here in the US!)

homepc wrote:
[color=blue]
>I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly city
>roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
>over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for the
>winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow tires,
>the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK, or
>should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice tires?[/color]

The best, in my experience and opinion, are the Nokians. I don't like
how the Blizzaks have the "magic rubber" only half-way through the
tread, which, when it's worn down, makes it a rather ordinary tire.

It's like shoes. You can cheap out on pants, shirts, hats, jackets,
etc. But don't cheap out on shoes if you're on your feet all day. Get
nice socks and good quality shoes.

The same applies to your car. The steel rims are fine. Spray a little
WD-40 or rust protective stuff on them and get good tires. I'd get
some Michelins or higher end tires I were you. It's way cheaper than
an insurance deductible and you'll have a lot more confidence that
you're looking after your family. Look at Consumer Reports for safety
ratings as well.


On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:16:33 -0500, "homepc" <wiebe08@hotmail.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
>I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly city
>roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't priced
>over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims for the
>winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip snow tires,
>the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these tires OK, or
>should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear Ultragrip Ice tires?
>[/color]

On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:30:25 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:[color=blue]
>On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:08:58 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:[color=green]
>> Tom The Great wrote:[/color][/color]
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
>>> Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
>>> ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
>>> help.[/color]
>>
>> Studded tires are illegal in some places. I don't know if any U.S. states
>> outlaw them, but they are illegal in Ontario (province in Canada).[/color]
>
>Wow. They are allowed in Mass, but you can't put them on until Nov 1, I
>think, and they have to be off by April 15 (Tax Day here in the US!)[/color]

Studded tires are legal in California from Nov 1 to April 30 - but
the DMV Commissioner and CalTrans can extend the period in specified
areas if the weather stays bad. CVC 27454(e)

Homepc: If you decide to go for snow tires, do it right - get
full-on Snow Only tires like Blizzak's and a second set of rims for
them. Plain steel rims are inexpensive and work just fine.

The first and best reason to have two sets of rims is you can easily
and quickly swap back and forth as the weather changes - real snow
tires will wear out extremely fast if driven on warm dry roads.

Second, every time you mount and dismount a tire on a rim you risk
ripping the bead and causing air leaks, and you have to rebalance
them. Two sets of rims, and they can stay on the rim till worn out.

And Third, you can avoid those six hour plus waits at the tire shop
to swap tires and rebalance on one set of rims every time the weather
changes. With two sets of rims you can be in and out of the tire shop
in a half hour or less - the big holdup is usually at the changing
machine and the balancer.

Or get a trolley jack ($25 to $50) and swap all four tires yourself
at home inside of 30 minutes. Get an impact wrench (electric or air)
and you can shave that down to 20.

Train the wife and kids as a pit crew, and try for five... ;-)

If your car has factory alloy wheels they will be WAY expensive to
replace for a few years (till they start showing up in salvage yards)
and running them in the snow is hard on the finish - a set of tire
chains that gets off center and up onto the rims can scar them up and
destroy their appearance REAL fast.

And if you slide sideways into a curb, alloy wheels bend and break a
whole lot easier than good old steel rims.

--<< Bruce >>--

"homepc" <wiebe08@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c1QYg.323$OG2.286@newsfe20.lga...[color=blue]
> I've got a 2007 Corolla CE sedan in southern Manitoba that sees mostly
> city roads. Can anyone recommend a good set of snow tires that aren't
> priced over the top? Are there any problems using after market steel rims
> for the winter on my Toyota? I was looking at some Goodyear Ultragrip
> snow tires, the cheaper model that is capable of being studded. Are these
> tires OK, or should I be looking at spending more bucks on Goodyear
> Ultragrip Ice tires?[/color]

Southern Manitoba..mostly city roads? You do NOT need snow tires.

[color=blue]
>[/color]

On Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:31:02 +0000, Bruce L. Bergman wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:30:25 GMT, Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote:[color=green]
>>On Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:08:58 -0400, High Tech Misfit wrote:[color=darkred]
>>> Tom The Great wrote:[/color][/color]
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>>>> Not sure if 'snow tires' will be the complete answer if you have road
>>>> ice issues. Might want to also check into how studded tires might
>>>> help.
>>>
>>> Studded tires are illegal in some places. I don't know if any U.S. states
>>> outlaw them, but they are illegal in Ontario (province in Canada).[/color]
>>
>>Wow. They are allowed in Mass, but you can't put them on until Nov 1, I
>>think, and they have to be off by April 15 (Tax Day here in the US!)[/color]
>
> Studded tires are legal in California from Nov 1 to April 30 - but
> the DMV Commissioner and CalTrans can extend the period in specified
> areas if the weather stays bad. CVC 27454(e)
>
> Homepc: If you decide to go for snow tires, do it right - get
> full-on Snow Only tires like Blizzak's and a second set of rims for
> them. Plain steel rims are inexpensive and work just fine.
>
> The first and best reason to have two sets of rims is you can easily
> and quickly swap back and forth as the weather changes - real snow
> tires will wear out extremely fast if driven on warm dry roads.
>
> Second, every time you mount and dismount a tire on a rim you risk
> ripping the bead and causing air leaks, and you have to rebalance
> them. Two sets of rims, and they can stay on the rim till worn out.
>
> And Third, you can avoid those six hour plus waits at the tire shop
> to swap tires and rebalance on one set of rims every time the weather
> changes. With two sets of rims you can be in and out of the tire shop
> in a half hour or less - the big holdup is usually at the changing
> machine and the balancer.
>
> Or get a trolley jack ($25 to $50) and swap all four tires yourself
> at home inside of 30 minutes. Get an impact wrench (electric or air)
> and you can shave that down to 20.
>
> Train the wife and kids as a pit crew, and try for five... ;-)
>
> If your car has factory alloy wheels they will be WAY expensive to
> replace for a few years (till they start showing up in salvage yards)
> and running them in the snow is hard on the finish - a set of tire
> chains that gets off center and up onto the rims can scar them up and
> destroy their appearance REAL fast.
>
> And if you slide sideways into a curb, alloy wheels bend and break a
> whole lot easier than good old steel rims.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--[/color]


Also, MARK them FR, FL, RR, RL since radials 'break in' on whichever side
of the car they are on. Get a Grease Pencil from Canadian Tire or a Home
Depot (in Canada?) and mark them on the INSIDE, or you'll have Yellow wall
tires! :)

It is also a good idea, for example, to take the all-season tire you took
off the car in the fall, say, RR, and put it on FR when you replace it.
That way, you'll be sure your tires are rotated every spring!

I think it was Hachiroku <Trueno@ae86.gts> who stated:

[color=blue]
>Also, MARK them FR, FL, RR, RL[/color]

Good idea. (And a recent "puzzler" on Car Talk says you can save
letters by marking 'em FR, F, RR and blank for unique identification.
Then you get to solve the puzzle next spring! ;^)
[color=blue]
>since radials 'break in' on whichever side
>of the car they are on.[/color]

Not true anymore. In fact, the tire manufacturers recommend that
modern radial tires be rotated in the "old fashioned" X pattern (I do
RR to LF to RF to LR when I rotate mine) so they'll wear the most
evenly. That also allows the full-sized spare to be included in all
the rotations.
[color=blue]
>Get a Grease Pencil from Canadian Tire or a Home
>Depot (in Canada?) and mark them on the INSIDE, or you'll have Yellow wall
>tires! :)
>
>It is also a good idea, for example, to take the all-season tire you took
>off the car in the fall, say, RR, and put it on FR when you replace it.
>That way, you'll be sure your tires are rotated every spring![/color]

That's why I would mark 'em; tire rotation is a GOOD thing!

-Don (rotating his every 5K miles)
--
Pooder approved this post . . . .