I have Hakka 8 SUV studded on my 05LX. I love those guys and they stay on from early fall till late spring (I am in Calgary). Even if roads are clean but temperatures are below -10C (14F) they are a huge difference from all season tires.
Al lot of people here go for non-studded, but price is very similar and unless you have the windows down you cannot hear or feel the studs, so why not? Reports suggest a even bigger improvement in stopping distances between studded and non-studded.
On paved roads I do not touch anything else....may be 2nd start if I am parked on an icy hill and need to move up....if you are offroad then it is a different story.
The cause of probably 95% of winter accidents: Driving too fast for conditions! On good weather I drive like everybody else, but in winter I drive way slower....a 3 hour trip during the summer becomes:
- 4 hours in mild winter conditions
- Up to 5 hours in bad winter conditions
That should give you an idea how much I slow down...my wife gets mad, but when we always arrive home safe after seen sometimes dozens of vehicles on ditches she agrees with me....
Note: I love Nokians and only use them for anything...but there are plenty of good winter tires around and lots of reviews and reports.
Good luck!
