Winter tires (2022)

[varun bhargava]

I live in Wisconsin and recently bought my first 200 cruiser. Last week I put on some Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV tires (285/60R18). My initial reaction is that the tires are AWFUL in the snow and ice. Tons of understeer, slip at take off, ABS is constantly activating...basically everything except driving in a straight line. I am trying to figure out if this is a tire, size, PSI, cruiser, or expectations problem. I have never driven a 200 series cruiser in the snow regardless of tire type and the tires are currently inflated to 35PSI. My experience w/them is in 1-4 inches of snow in below freezing temps (6-15 degrees)

For context, my last cruiser was a 100 series about 3 years ago and I ran K02 (285/65R18) year round. They were only problematic in the ice but otherwise amazing in all other conditions (this was 3 years ago so take it with a grain of salt). Because of the K02's performance in the ice I wanted to step up to dedicated snow tires. My wife has a 2015 Outback with Blizzaks and they have been AMAZING but they do wear out within 20,000 miles. I wouldn't hesitate to take the Outback in any weather conditions and frankly, the Blizzaks are so good that I can almost drive like normal in blizzard conditions.

Thoughts? Tire, size, PSI, cruiser, or expectation problems?

Thanks in advance.

 

[canyonrider]

For starters, try 33 psi, which I think is the recommended pressure for that size. But two psi shouldn't make too much of a difference, so you might also get an alignment done to make sure all is good there. Is your LC lifted, or any other modifications? Something sounds a little off for sure.

I have had great winter performance with Nokian snow tires in the stock size on my LC, but coming from an Outback with Blizzaks it's probably worth checking your expectations. As good as the LC is, I've found that a wagon with good snow tires certainly has a handling advantage over the LC in truly slippery conditions.

 

[mcgaskins]

I put Michelin X-Ice tires on our Model 3, and it basically ruined the driving experience. Fortunately I realized quickly enough Discount let me swap them out, and I went with the Michelin CrossClimate which is a phenomenal (car) tire. I've run Blizzak DM-V2 on the 200 and a Yukon Denali XL with good results, but they are definitely "squishier" than a proper all terrain. I prefer the Blizzak to the X-Ice by a wide margin, so maybe try swapping them out if you're able to (and if they're available of course).

 

[Sandroad]

What tires were on the truck before the Michelins and did you also have serious trouble with those in winter conditions?

For sure don’t put up with such poor performance. It’s a new tire with mixed reviews on the Tire Rack. If you liked the Blizzak, get those.

 

[varun bhargava]

What tires were on the truck before the Michelins and did you also have serious trouble with those in winter conditions?

For sure don’t put up with such poor performance. It’s a new tire with mixed reviews on the Tire Rack. If you liked the Blizzak, get those.

Normally running Nitto Ridge Grapplers (285/70/R18) but I haven't had the truck long enough to have driven it through fresh snow. I have driven on some packed snow/ice and they have been OK especially given that they are not even triple peak rate.

My gut tells me that the Nitto's would do better...that's how little confidence I have thus far in the X-Ice tires.

 

[CT3]

I ran Blizzaks for a 4-5 winters on my 2015 before lifting it and fitting larger tires. I would recommend blizzaks. As you noted, they don’t last as long, but they do offer superior performance (from my perspective.)

On previous SUVs I ran Continental, Nitto, Michelin, Toyo, BFG, etc for winter conditions and I’ve found Blizzaks to be the best. The one brand that I haven’t tried that would be a worthwhile comparison is Nokian.

 

[BrainDoc]

I had previously put Pirelli snow tires on my wife’s GLS 450 and that was straight up dangerous. Lasted 1 season and switched her to blizzaks with significant improvement.

I run nokian Hakka r3 suv (275/65/18) on my cruiser and am very happy with the winter performance.

 

[varun bhargava]

I had previously put Pirelli snow tires on my wife’s GLS 450 and that was straight up dangerous. Lasted 1 season and switched her to blizzaks with significant improvement.

I run nokian Hakka r3 suv (275/65/18) on my cruiser and am very happy with the winter performance.

View attachment 2904212

@BrainDoc Between the Blizzaks and Nokians which do you prefer? I'm down to those two...

 

[BrainDoc]

@BrainDoc Between the Blizzaks and Nokians which do you prefer? I'm down to those two...

Nokian. I think the traction initially is similar but long term the Nokians hold up better and are quieter. I had a mix of Nokians and blizzaks on my old cars MDX, RDX, TL, 3.2 TL, Vigor ( I’m a reformed Acura owner)

 

[04UZJ100]

Nokian Hakka 9 Studded. Bottom line - they are the best snow tire in the world.

I run them illegally in Illinois on a set of Tundra wheels. They’re unstoppable and very confidence inspiring. Ran them for 1 season in Alaska and 2 here now. Probably close to 15k miles on them and the tread and studs all look new.

 

[coleAK]

In Alaska, Nokians are the best winter tire. I’ve run then exclusively in the winter on all our vehicles for the last ~15 years. Currently have Hakka 7 on my 6th winter on the LX570, Hakka 9 on 4th winter on our Tesla and 2nd on our MB e and Hakka 5 on 7th winter on a Subaru. I know a lot of people that run Blizzak but only get 2-3 winters out of them. I don’t know anyone that runs x-ice.

 

[arrivederci]

Hakka R3 SUV here and it is unstoppable in Colorado. We take it up into the mountains regardless of weather and it is so confidence inspiring to be able to out brake, out turn, or out accelerate most around us.

 

[MTKID]

Aside from giving my nod to Nokian studded tires, which is what I’ve used on multiple vehicles including our 200, what you describe sounds to me like odd alignment. When it is off just bit, it isn’t necessarily noticeable on the dry roads but when its slick enough, the front tires can be fighting for traction.

Hope that helps.

 

[MrCWineMan]

Another vote for the Nokian Hakka R3 - they are awesome.

 

[liv2bike]

We run the Hakka R3 SUV on our 200. Very please with them. This is their second winter. On a spare vehicle (Honda Odyssey) we run the Blizzaks. They are on their 4th winter and are getting long in the tooth. I will be replacing them with another set come next winter. I feel that the Blizzaks on the Odyssey do slightly better in packed snow and ice. Granted these are very different vehicles but the Blizzaks just seem to be a wee bit more surefooted in packed snow and icy conditions. Don't get me wrong...the 200 on the Hakka R3s is a beast. Never any issues. Hope this helps.

 

[varun bhargava]

Spoke w/Costco and they immediately agreed to approve a return of the tires and even offered to bring me in before opening to swap out the tires...so its back to the Nitto's. Given timing and inventory issues, it's gonna be close to March before I get the tires and get them mounted so I'm just going to do this right and get a second set of wheels and mount Hakka R3's on them.

I'll update this post w/Hakka impressions in a year when I get them on.

On my wife's car I will replace the existing Blizzak WS80s with WS90s from Costco. Hard not to be loyal to them.

 

[varun bhargava]

Aside from giving my nod to Nokian studded tires, which is what I’ve used on multiple vehicles including our 200, what you describe sounds to me like odd alignment. When it is off just bit, it isn’t necessarily noticeable on the dry roads but when its slick enough, the front tires can be fighting for traction.

Hope that helps.

I'll check that out. I know it was aligned 5k miles ago but you never know.

 

[varun bhargava]

Quick update: I think I've got the setup dialed in for the coming winter season. I should get everything mounted in the coming weeks.

I went with the following:

• Tires: Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT 3 LT275/70R18
• Wheels: Black Tundra Steel Wheels
• TPMS: Denso Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor - 550-0106 (normal 2016+ TPMS sensors)

EDIT: Per @Eric Sarjeant - You will want to get aftermarket TPMS sensors that are cloneable. We like the NAPA ones, You can program them with any of the mid-level Snapon tools. Good advice. write those sensor IDs down first too

 

[stonepa]

Been running Blizzaks forever on my LCs, including my 200. Stock size. Work great. Cascade crud, Alaska packed snow and ice.

 

[varun bhargava]

All bolted up and ready to roll