Advice on Winter tires for Pathfinder - Highway winter driving (N.Alberta)

[KptKrunch]

Hi folks. The subject line says it all. Will probably go with Kal Tire and am looking at getting wheels too. Expensive but I don't have much time so such is life. Anyway, I think I have it narrowed down to two tires:

Nokian Hakkapellitta 5 SUV Studded

Yokohama Geolander I/T GO72 (not studded)

I don't care about road noise, only about sure footing. Many times will be driving on cold, bare roads as most driving will be on 16 from Lloyd to Hinton, but will also be making trips to Slave Lake, Cold Lake, and Peace River. I usually get stuck in snow storms. I currently am running the Nokian WR all weather (though they've got about 90k on them and are pretty bald now - were getting there last winter but I made it without losing control, but a lot of white knuckle driving).

I haven't read a lot on the hakka's, not much info out there other than what the manufacturer says. The Yokohamas seem to be rated better, but they are 'Q' rated, on a dry highway I do between 120 and 130 (Km's). During icy conditions I try to keep it around 80 or 90 with my 4W High drive engaged.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Hakkis, as I've read the Yokos can be noiser, but my main thing is traction and safety along wtih being able to drive at a decent speed without wearing out too fast.


Any advice would be appreciated (or even a suggestion of another tire).

Thanks

[Trainman]

I used Traction Kings on my 2002 Pathfinder, mounted on Toyota rims I got cheap.  Totally awesome, and a good price as well.  They are the tire of choice for the highway maintenance crews around here.  Used them in Northern Alberta with no issues.  Not too noisy either.  Used them for 4 winters and they still had lots of tread left when I sold them after I got rid of the Pathy.



Note though that they are an LT rated tire, not P.

[sailor723]

You mention a lot of highway driving on cold bare roads at 120-130 kph. I think I might tend to avoid studs for that application.

[KptKrunch]

Thanks guys. Never heard of Traction Kings - I'll have to check them out. As for studs vs no studs, that's my concern too. No one (especially the weather man) can predict the weather very well, though I heard we're supposed to have a mild one, which up here means lots of snow and ice. I know on dry pavement studs are not ideal , though the hakkapellittas that I was looking at seem to have a softer, sticky tread so I'm not sure but I would imagine they should grab the road better on dry surfaces. Problem here is the weather/roads are either really crappy or they're dry (after the plowing and sanding) because it gets so dry here.

My other option is to get another set of the WR's, which are all weather, but I find they do not perform very well at all snow, they're decent on ice (certainly better than any 'no season' I've ever had), terrific on wet surfaces (the stock Duellers tended to slip at higher speeds on the highway which is why I changeed them out for the Nokians to begin with) and if I was in the city only they'd be a good choice. If I was travelling on secondary roads a lot getting the studs would be an easy decision.

I will be getting the WR's regardless to run as my spring/summer/fall tires - because up here you never know what will hit. I'll use the winter tires from November until late March / early April anyway (want to save the tread for as long as possible but do want something better than the all weathers for those nasty days I now are coming - and as mentioned always when  I have to go on a long trip).

[KptKrunch]

So I made a decision (had to do it fast, as my current tires are bald and I need something) and decided against the studs. It's funny but a lot of the tire places were pushing studs on me. Sailor, you and few others I spoke with said something similar, and today once it was my turn in a line, speaking with the third rep there, he basically echoed what some other said. If you're not driving on back roads, and a lot of your driving will be on cold/dry pavement - studs will be worse.

I decided on the Geolanders (since Cold Lake will be one place I'll be and someone there bought last year and loved them - I hope to get a year review if he's still lurking around here) as they are rated 5 star along with the blizzacks on the APA site, are a newer design then the older ice grip model that was known to 'slip'. One person who had them said they don't perform well in snow. Looking at the agressive tread blocks I find that really hard to believe. Though they thought (wrongly) that these could be run all year and I'll bet they got chewed up a lot in the summer.

I've only owned one other pure snow tire before, and that was in the 90's, the Ice Grip (or something like that) from Goodyear. They only lasted two seasons and they were not good at all. I had people in all seasons getting faster starts off the line and I stlll slid to stops on ice. Only place I noticed a difference was in snow, so never even considered them.


I"ll post my thoughts on them once I get them on (won't be for another two weeks) and I've had a chance to drive with them on snow and ice. Now I'm hoping for a nice storm to drive in whe I head out to Lloydminster, will be a good test.

[mrthompson]

Winter tires have come along way, even since the 1990s.  Happy motoring!

[KptKrunch]

Ok - got the Yokohama Geolanders I/T GO72 and had them installed on new rims today. I'd take a full shot and will later but right now my truck is filthy. Anyway, for those still looking for tires, this should give you an idea of how they look. How they peform is what really counts though. Call me crazy but I'm actually looking forward to the next snow/freezing rain storm we get (tomorrow would be fine by me) to see if they handle as good as they look. I decided to spend $15 more per wheel to get decent looking rims as opposed to the standard black steel ones, looks better for sure. Without further adieu:

[mrthompson]

Lookin' good.  Only $15 per for the upgrade?  Nice! 

[googlie]

I like the rims - if you don't mind, what are they and where did you get them?

[Gillbarr]

KptKrunch - hello from Cold Lake - after a full season on the yoks I am still very pleased with them.  Snow and Ice performance was great and for a snow tire not very noisy on the dry pavement/hiway.  Where did you get the wheels?  Sounds like a great deal...

[TheMAN]

Looks like Kal Tire. Are they Core Racing wheels?

[KptKrunch]

Well, the deal wasn't 'great' per say, I was quoted $125 for the steel wheels so these were $143.99 so I figured I'd go with them. They're X-Kaliber Silver/Diamond cut, and they look pretty close to the stock rims (I think they look a bit nicer then the stocks actually but they're 9 1/2 years newer so they should). Purchased at Kal tire.

Gillbarr, I was doing some work in Cold Lake this past winter, was there in December and January. I remember vividly my one trip up, just before Bonnyville in the 'flat' area, sheer ice. Saw two overturned vehicles and one tanker truck. I sure could've used those Yok's then I tell ya. Made it OK but was pretty slow going for about a 60 km stretch. It was your post from last year plus the rating on the APA site that made the decision for me.

If you like them, and I've driven those icy roads in Cold Lake plenty, then I know they'll be good enough for the travels I'll be doing again this winter (will probably be back in Cold Lake again a few times).

Bit of snow here tonight (just got back from the game) and though it's not icy yet (well, I don't think it is) these Yokohamas make it feel like I'm driving on dry pavement. No slipping or hydroplanning (I've gone up to 130 kms/ hr just to see) so I'm happy so far. Call me sick, but I'm really hoping it snows all night and ices up good for tomorrow mornings commute. All in all so far I'm very pleased, and the road noise is no worse than my Nokian WR's were, so I have no complaints there either.

[TheMAN]

Make sure you keep them clean. I am suprised they would recommend a machined wheel for winter use, as they tend to get beaten up pretty good in winter driving. A fully painted wheel would be the best choice.

[Ryan@1010tires]

Make sure you keep them clean. I am suprised they would recommend a machined wheel for winter use, as they tend to get beaten up pretty good in winter driving. A fully painted wheel would be the best choice.

Very true. We would not recommend a machined wheel for winter use.

[KptKrunch]

Make sure you keep them clean. I am suprised they would recommend a machined wheel for winter use, as they tend to get beaten up pretty good in winter driving. A fully painted wheel would be the best choice.

Very true. We would not recommend a machined wheel for winter use.

Yeah, you're right of course. But I wouldn't recommend a lot of things for winter use, you should see my windshield LOL. Unfortunately, they didn't have the steel wheels in my size. To be honest, I don't really like the look of them. These actually look pretty close to my stock rims that I've had on since day one. I hope they don't get beat up too much, but it's already too late for my truck (and windshield) anyway. But I will keep them clean (as clean as I can anyway) and hopefully they won't get any worse than the rest of the truck.

btw - I wouldn't recommend parking next to other cars either. my doors have more ding and dents in them then I care to count. I guess no matter what you get, as soon as you use it, it's going to take some abuse. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the prospect of those ugly black or silver stock steel wheels. Especially since they'll be on my truck for 6 months of the year.

But I do appreciate your comments and feedback.

[mrthompson]

Would a coat of wax be very effective in protecting the wheels?

[DKaz]

Looking good! You're not planning to use those wheels in the summer anyway so it doesn't matter looks wise *shrugs*.

[SiRCivic]

I think it's more than just a cosmetic issue. When the aluminum corrodes in the salty winter environment, it can be a real PITA to keep air in the tires. I know that steel corrodes, too, but for whatever reason, aluminum seems more prone to developing those annoying slow leaks.

I've had decent luck running OE Honda aluminum wheels in the winter, but they seem to have a pretty good clear coat on them. I've heard that some of the cheaper aftermarket wheels have less, or a lesser quality, clearcoat, so corrosion can be more of an issue.