Last winter, Winnipeg journalist Haney Louka equipped his own Mazda6 wagon with Michelin’s new X-ice Xi2 tires. After a long winter, his impressions were mixed.
Winter Tires
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Winter Tire Test: Michelin X-Ice Xi2
Winter tires – trucks need them too!
The all-terrain tires that come on many SUVs and pickups may look like winter tires, but they are not, says CarTalkCanada editor, James Bergeron. “These tires really do not cut it on ice,” he says.
Michelin X-Ice Xi2 winter tire
Michelin invited CarTalkCanada editor James Bergeron to compare its new X-Ice Xi2 winter tires against major competitors when driving on ice and snow. Find out which tires he liked the best.
Michelin invited CarTalkCanada editor James Bergeron to compare its new X-Ice Xi2 winter tires against major competitors when driving on ice and snow. Find out which tires he liked the best.
Winter Tire Test: Bridgestone Blizzak WS60
It's minus 37 with the wind chill in Winnipeg, and contributor Haney Louka, who lives there, has been driving his Mazda6 wagon on a set of Blizzak WS60 snow tires all winter. Find out how the Blizzaks performed by clicking here.
It's minus 37 with the wind chill in Winnipeg, and contributor Haney Louka, who lives there, has been driving his Mazda6 wagon on a set of Blizzak WS60 snow tires all winter. Find out how the Blizzaks performed by clicking here.
Winter tire test, Part Seven: Marangoni Meteo HP and Meteo Grip E+
The Marangoni name is relatively new to Canada, but the company is a major international producer of tires, says contributor Michael Clark. This week, Michael tested two different tires on two different cars: the technology-heavy Meteo HPs offered excellent traction and braking performance, he reports, while the Meteo Grip E+ tires offered similar wet weather traction and excellent snow traction. They're more expensive than average, he notes.
The Marangoni name is relatively new to Canada, but the company is a major international producer of tires, says contributor Michael Clark. This week, Michael tested two different tires on two different cars: the technology-heavy Meteo HPs offered excellent traction and braking performance, he reports, while the Meteo Grip E+ tires offered similar wet weather traction and excellent snow traction. They're more expensive than average, he notes.
Winter tire test, Part Six – Pirelli 210 Snowsports
If the majority of your travels encompass paved surfaces prone to black ice, the 210's are impressive performers, reports Michael Clark. "Snow pack and intersection ice did not exhibit any stopping concerns," he says. But they're not quite as good in six inches of powder, he says.
If the majority of your travels encompass paved surfaces prone to black ice, the 210's are impressive performers, reports Michael Clark. "Snow pack and intersection ice did not exhibit any stopping concerns," he says. But they're not quite as good in six inches of powder, he says.
Winter Tire Review: Michelin X-Ice
Safety technologies like electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes aren't much use on icy roads without winter tires, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams. Winter tires like the Michelin X-Ice use a softer rubber compound to increase grip, but the X-Ice also uses a hard compound that's embedded inside the treadblocks to improve handling, he says.
Safety technologies like electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes aren't much use on icy roads without winter tires, reports Senior Editor, Paul Williams. Winter tires like the Michelin X-Ice use a softer rubber compound to increase grip, but the X-Ice also uses a hard compound that's embedded inside the treadblocks to improve handling, he says.
Winter tire test, Part 5 – Gislaved Nord Frost 3
Unless you've made regular visits to a Volvo or Saab dealer, you've probably never heard of Gislaved winter tires, says Michael Clark. This Swedish company began producing bicycle tires in the 1890s, and is now owned by Continental. Their Nord Frost 3's are excellent snow tires, says Clark, but emit a noticeable rumble at highway speeds.
Unless you've made regular visits to a Volvo or Saab dealer, you've probably never heard of Gislaved winter tires, says Michael Clark. This Swedish company began producing bicycle tires in the 1890s, and is now owned by Continental. Their Nord Frost 3's are excellent snow tires, says Clark, but emit a noticeable rumble at highway speeds.
Winter Tire Test: Goodyear Nordic
With a new set of Goodyear Nordic P205/60R16-inch snow tires fitted to his Mazda6 wagon, contributor Haney Louka braved the streets of Winnipeg after a record 30 cm of snow had fallen the night before. The Goodyear Nordics "made short work of the freshly fallen snow," he says, but "were less effective on ice." Still he wouldn't hesitate to recommend them over ordinary "three-season tires". Sold only at Canadian Tire, they're also a very good value, he notes.
With a new set of Goodyear Nordic P205/60R16-inch snow tires fitted to his Mazda6 wagon, contributor Haney Louka braved the streets of Winnipeg after a record 30 cm of snow had fallen the night before. The Goodyear Nordics "made short work of the freshly fallen snow," he says, but "were less effective on ice." Still he wouldn't hesitate to recommend them over ordinary "three-season tires". Sold only at Canadian Tire, they're also a very good value, he notes.
Winter tire test, Part 4 – Cooper Weather-master ST-2
Priced at $150.24 each, Cooper Weather-master ST-2's "prove that a winter tire upgrade is within the reach of most consumers," reports Michael Clark. The ST-2's use a proprietary tri-polymer blend tread compound, designed to provide the flexibility needed for winter use, as well as dry and wet traction, he says. "The tread channels are thick for easy snow toss, with slightly-staggered tread block placement for a case of the Grabbies."
Priced at $150.24 each, Cooper Weather-master ST-2's "prove that a winter tire upgrade is within the reach of most consumers," reports Michael Clark. The ST-2's use a proprietary tri-polymer blend tread compound, designed to provide the flexibility needed for winter use, as well as dry and wet traction, he says. "The tread channels are thick for easy snow toss, with slightly-staggered tread block placement for a case of the Grabbies."
Winter tire test: Part Three – Yokohama Ice Guards
This week, Winnipeger Michael Clark tests Yokohama Ice Guards which he says offer an innovative tread compound that "makes for a sticky footprint." The Ice Guards provided "impressive stopping grip, without engaging the ABS," he reports, and were "a delight in low-speed corner navigation, with just the slightest hint of oversteer." "At $178.00 per tire, the 206/50R16 Ice Guards are a bargain that requires little thought process," he writes.
This week, Winnipeger Michael Clark tests Yokohama Ice Guards which he says offer an innovative tread compound that "makes for a sticky footprint." The Ice Guards provided "impressive stopping grip, without engaging the ABS," he reports, and were "a delight in low-speed corner navigation, with just the slightest hint of oversteer." "At $178.00 per tire, the 206/50R16 Ice Guards are a bargain that requires little thought process," he writes.
Winter tire test: Part Two – Pirelli Winter 240 Snowsports
The first set of winter tires tested by author Michael Clark are Pirelli Winter 240 Snowsports. "The Snowsports sport a pure silica tread compound, with unique characteristics for a performance-rated snow tire," says Clark. Traction and cornering was good in light fluffy snow and in the unploughed snow you find on side streets, he reports, but not as grippy on slushy streets. With a retail price of $430 each, the Snowsports are "anything but cheap", he says.
The first set of winter tires tested by author Michael Clark are Pirelli Winter 240 Snowsports. "The Snowsports sport a pure silica tread compound, with unique characteristics for a performance-rated snow tire," says Clark. Traction and cornering was good in light fluffy snow and in the unploughed snow you find on side streets, he reports, but not as grippy on slushy streets. With a retail price of $430 each, the Snowsports are "anything but cheap", he says.
Winter tire test: Part 1
In the first of a multi-part series on testing different brands of winter tires, Michael Clark takes delivery of a new Mazda MX-5 GT which will be fitted with a new set of winter tires every two weeks during the Manitoba winter. Why an MX-5 GT? "The base GT option tick actually removes the limited slip differential, as well as the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control. Translation: set the Traction Clock to 1985, Marty."
In the first of a multi-part series on testing different brands of winter tires, Michael Clark takes delivery of a new Mazda MX-5 GT which will be fitted with a new set of winter tires every two weeks during the Manitoba winter. Why an MX-5 GT? "The base GT option tick actually removes the limited slip differential, as well as the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control. Translation: set the Traction Clock to 1985, Marty."
Winter Tire Test: Bridgestone Blizzak Revo 1
Everything that made the Blizzak WS-50 a most serviceable winter skin has been enhanced on the Blizzak Revo 1, reports Michael Clark, who tested a set of Revo 1s on the snowy streets of Winnipeg. "The Revo 1s are the next big thing in snow-go," he says, "and it's end-of-season bargain time!"
Everything that made the Blizzak WS-50 a most serviceable winter skin has been enhanced on the Blizzak Revo 1, reports Michael Clark, who tested a set of Revo 1s on the snowy streets of Winnipeg. "The Revo 1s are the next big thing in snow-go," he says, "and it's end-of-season bargain time!"
Winter Tire Test: Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi
The cost of winter tires may seem prohibitive, Haney Louka says, but they'll extend your all-season tires and can help prevent the cost of a collision. He tests Nokian's Hakkapeliitta RSi and says they're "the best winter tires I've tried to date."
The cost of winter tires may seem prohibitive, Haney Louka says, but they'll extend your all-season tires and can help prevent the cost of a collision. He tests Nokian's Hakkapeliitta RSi and says they're "the best winter tires I've tried to date."
Winter tire test: Bridgestone WS-50
The WS-50 winter tire is the second generation of Blizzak tire technology, reports Michael Clark. "As the tires wear, microscopic pores are revealed on the contact surface, which help disperse water that leads to traction loss on ice." Does it really work? Michael slaps a set on his Supra and takes to the snowy streets of Winnipeg.
The WS-50 winter tire is the second generation of Blizzak tire technology, reports Michael Clark. "As the tires wear, microscopic pores are revealed on the contact surface, which help disperse water that leads to traction loss on ice." Does it really work? Michael slaps a set on his Supra and takes to the snowy streets of Winnipeg.
Special Michelin winter tire test
"All-season" tires may sound year-round, but they're really "three-season". Winter tires handle better, stop sooner and accelerate better, and yes, you should buy four of them. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh spends a day at the ice rink with Michelin to see why.
"All-season" tires may sound year-round, but they're really "three-season". Winter tires handle better, stop sooner and accelerate better, and yes, you should buy four of them. Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh spends a day at the ice rink with Michelin to see why.
Winter Tire Test: Michelin Pilot Alpin
If you need extra traction in the winter, but still savour your performance car's sharp reflexes, Pilot Alpins from Michelin strike a great balance, says Haney Louka. "While they're not mountain-goat aggressive on the slick stuff, they still maintain their composure..when they are not on snow duty," he reports.
If you need extra traction in the winter, but still savour your performance car's sharp reflexes, Pilot Alpins from Michelin strike a great balance, says Haney Louka. "While they're not mountain-goat aggressive on the slick stuff, they still maintain their composure..when they are not on snow duty," he reports.
Tire Test: Nokian WR “All-Weather Plus”
Click image to enlarge Story and photos by Haney Louka People make compromises in many aspects of life. Whether it’s balancing financial priorities, demands on our time, or maybe it’s as simple as what type of shoe to buy – we have to decide what’s important and give a little on things that don’t matter so [...]
Click image to enlarge Story and photos by Haney Louka People make compromises in many aspects of life. Whether it’s balancing financial priorities, demands on our time, or maybe it’s as simple as what type of shoe to buy – we have to decide what’s important and give a little on things that don’t matter so [...]
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