Snow Tire Reviews

Initial Review, 8,500 Miles on Tires
January 07, 2011

My car is a 1999 Porsche Boxster that has been lowered via H&R progressive springs, Bilstein shocks and some minor suspension tweaks. I live in Central Florida so I don't encounter snow or ice conditions.



These General high performance tires were a very pleasant surprise. Don't let the moderate pricing on these tires fool you; they are comparable to tires with much higher prices. The dry handling is excellent and so is the wet handling! These General tires really perform with excellent handling and an acceptable ride that is comfortable and quiet. I will definitely consider General tires for any high performance vehicle I own in the future.

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
May 21, 2012

I've had these on my truck now for about a year and a half still have 16/32 on them. i drive alot on the highway cause of work and have gone through a foot of snow in 2wd to see how they work and they are great. only time i have to use 4wd is when the wife is with me. I take my truck up in the mountians on my weeks off work fishing hunting and camping. been in deep mud and never had a problem going anywhere i would buy an other set when these are done.

Initial Review, 13,000 Miles on Tires
June 11, 2010

These are the best all-season tires for winter driving traction in slush and snow. We are in Western NY so we know about driving in snow !! They perform at the "winter tire" level without the noise associated at highway speeds. Very happy with the noise and handling characteristics as well. A real winner for Goodyear !

Initial Review, 400 Miles on Tires
May 18, 2012

It was only me smiling when I drove my Miata, but now with these tires, my Miata is also smiling. It is the MOST comfortable and quiet ride I have had in this car. I have not had this set of tires long enough to comment on wet, snow or treadware which I will update at a later date, but for comfort, handling and quietness, they are excellent.

Initial Review, 35,869 Miles on Tires
May 19, 2012

I have to give these OEM Dunlaps that came on the FIT a high grade because they have provided highly reliable and flawless performance for 36,000 miles, even under the most oppressive conditions.

They came as Original Equipment on my Base 2009 Honda FIT. I don’t expect to get more than 40K out of any OEM tires, and I replaced these early because I was going to be away on the road a lot this spring and summer. These tires could have easily went 40K, but rubber that has been on the road for more than 3 years on any tire starts to show its cracks, hardens a bit, and safety becomes an issue.

I drove these tires Hard and they never failed. I took them non-stop for 14 to 16 hours at a clip from Los Angeles to Portland, to Vancouver B.C. and then back to LA along the Coastline. I took them from Los Angeles to NYC in just 3.5 days, at high speeds, in both desert high temps and freezing low NY winter temps. Through snow and slush in the brutal 2010 winter in NYC. Back and forth, from NYC to Washington, DC. From NYC to LA via Savannah, New Orleans, Houston, & Phoenix. Countless trips from LA to San Diego and back. Hot summer road trips from LA to Las Vegas and back, and LA to Phoenix and Tucson and back. LA to San Francisco many times. All that, in addition to all the city driving in NYC and LA, through the potholes and bad streets, and constantly jamming them into curbs parallel parking. They just didn’t fail, they run fast and accurate, with great gas mileage. Never a flat, never a repair—all 4 tires still had the original May, 2009 air in them from Japan when I changed them out in May, 2012 . Incredible.

Initial Review, 63,000 Miles on Tires
May 20, 2012

This is an unbelievable tire that I put through the tests of Colorado road conditions for the past seven years. Mostly city driving, great traction in rain, light and deep snow with over 63,000 miles. Was so impressed I put a set on my daughters Focus. Very satisfied!

Initial Review, 13,000 Miles on Tires
May 12, 2012

These are much better than the OEM Bridgestones. I bought them for the extended wear rating and quiet ride, and they exceed expectations in both cases. They performed very well on a 2000 mile multi-day trip with a very full load. That said, I wish they handled better. Transient response is quite slow - turn the wheel, wait half a beat, and the car finally starts to turn. It feels like the tire is rolling over on the tread blocks during spirited cornering, and the quiet ride turns into yowls of protest. Wet weather performance is outstanding, and the tires are predictable approaching the limits of traction. I have not tried them in snow, so can't judge how they handle such conditions. If I wanted a really long-lasting tire, I would buy these again. If I want something that handles more precisely at the expense of tread life, I'll look for a more sporting tire.

Initial Review, 35,998 Miles on Tires
April 24, 2012

This Tire at the time I bought it has a very high consumer reports rating, and it proved its self. I traveled 6,000 plus miles in the first 2 months of having them, In April from California to Florida, up thru Georgia on backroads, and thru Kansas to Denver. and back to northern California. Dry wet hot cold ice hail snow, this tire far out performed any tire I have ever owned . I traveled thru the extreame rain and wind that hit St Louis Mo and Kansas late April May of 2011, with the tornado force winds and rain so heavy you could not see to drive well, and had no issues with traction or lose of control at all.
This will be the ONLY tire I will ever buy again, this tire is the best of the best.

Initial Review, 2,500 Miles on Tires
May 14, 2012

Best tires I have ever bought in my 50 years of buying tires! I rode on the factory installed Dunlop Sport 5000 tires and was disappointed that Hyundai would install such a hard riding and noisy tire on their luxury vehicle. After buying the Yokohama Avid Ascends, my Hyundai Genesis rides like a true luxury automobile like I expected when I bought it. I bought these tires and the next day we had a snowstorm. They handled extremely well in the snow and are awesome on dry pavement. As a bonus, because they are LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) tires, my mileage improve almost 2 miles per gallon. They are also made in America so we keep a few jobs here and that's not so bad either!

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
May 12, 2012

My truck is NOT a 4x4 and these tires are amazing in deep snow. I drive very aggressive and I still have lots of tread.

Initial Review, 4,500 Miles on Tires
May 08, 2012

I bought these tires because I need to drive my Miata in all four seasons. The wet traction/lack of hydroplaning and the traction in snow has been quite impressive. They are a little noisy, at least at first, and they do numb steering response some. If I ever get to where I don't need to drive my car in bad weather I will go to a more responsive tire.

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
May 14, 2012

Only 1000+ miles on this new set on my commute vehicle. Great tire for the price point. Tire makes little noise and ride comfort is very much above average. No rain/snow in sunny CA to test yet. So far dry traction is very good and stable at the corners. Steering response could be just a tick more responsive. Again. These are great tires and one of the category leaders. Now just hoping the tread rating is true. Will rotate and balance religiously and be back for later review.

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
April 30, 2012

These tires were on my car and slightly used when I purchased it a year ago. About 12,000+ miles I've added. Dry traction is very good. My 95M Miata handles extremely well with these. Dry traction is very good. These tires loosen up quite a bit when wet. Actually just loose enough to make wet road driving alot of fun at about the speed limit on spirited scenic drives. If your up for that. They reject hydroplaning rather well. Was forced to drive all winter with these in nothern WV. They performed better than expected in the snow on a rear wheel drive vehicle, but you better be a good driver to avoid getting stuck. However, even my spouse could handle snow under 1 inch and plowed roads. We did burn up our rear tires in >3 mild months of winter, we contend with many hills to climb. And we did climb them in the snow with these tires all winter. I'd reconsider using these if being used on a true performance vehicle with muscle. My stock 95M Miata can spin them at will and powerslide with mildly spirited driving if just a little wet. Fun for me, but dangerous at higher speeds/horsepower. These are one of the very few all-season tires available for the stock 95M Miata BBS rims. 195/50 15. Upon an inspection today I did find an outward bulge the one of my sidwalls about 2" in diameter. QC may be an issue? Overall for the price, I'm quite pleased with the performance of these tires. Can't completely say how much of it is the car and how much is the tire. But these tires are giving me exactly what I expect from my Miata and I can afford to burn them up having a little having fun. Also, they look good enough. I'm buying 2 more rear tires. Zoom-Zoom

Note: these are directional tires

Dry Traction = very good+
Wet traction = ok, safe at moderate speeds, good highway, easily pushed to fun limit
Snow traction = just good enough
Hydroplaning rejection = very good
Braking = good

Initial Review, 50,000 Miles on Tires
May 14, 2012

I have run all brands over the years, This was the first time to try Yokohama tires, I live in Lake Tahoe Nevada, I get the most varied conditions, Lets start with, ice,deep snow,light snow,heavy rain,highway and off road conditions, sand on the beach in Baja,beach launching boats in Baja,I also tow a 15k 5th wheel and many boats, One trip to Cabo San Lucas towing the 5th wheel on roads in Mexico,so in otherwise put to what I would call an extreme test.Buy them and don`t look back,

Initial Review, 40,000 Miles on Tires
May 16, 2012

40,000 miles is all i got off my set of tires but the ride was like back in the 70's in a big caddy(well almost)The ride is great with low road sound,the tires do roll over the side wall alittle if you push them to hard,now my van will only go 107 mph then it starts to cut off(i do not do this speed very often)I was testing the tires on a clear highway.this tire will handle better if you add air plus it will get much better gas millage but after 32psi you loose ride!I have a very bad back so bad that i traded my motorcycle that hade 200 miles on it and a 3/4 ton 4x4 with 50,000 miles on it for a mini van,but it worked out as now i have a wheel chair.If you want ride this is the tire for you!If you want a tire that will last look somewere else.When i was growing up there was a saying goodyear is good for a year and that is still true as you will not get 90,000 miles out of these tires they tell you that so you will come back and get a new set and they prorate the old tires plus you have to prove you had these rotated every 3,000 miles (I think it is )so i do not rotate mine untill i change out the snow tires(I only drive 5,000 miles or less a year)so for the money its worth it for the ride for me.I will hit puddles because of the none hydroplaning is great!

Initial Review, 6,000 Miles on Tires
May 08, 2012

THIS IS MY SECOND SET OF KDW's FOR MY 2006 SCION xB ... THE FIRST SET WAS A 215/45-17 BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RIDE QUALITY AT THE TIME , AS I WAS DOING 90 MILES A DAY ROUND TRIP OF MOSTLY HIWAY DRIVING ... I ROTATED THEM EVERY 5 THOUSAND MILES AND RAN THE PRESSURE AT 40 PSI AND THEY WORE PERFECTLY SMOOTH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BASICALLY NO TREAD AT ALL ...

SO FOR THE SECOND SET I DROPPED THE SIZE TO A 215/40-17 , AS I WASN'T DRIVING THE LONG ROUNDTRIP DAILY ANYMORE ... YES THEY ARE A BIT STIFFER ON THE RIDE , BUT NOTHING THAT BOTHERS ME AT ALL ... SO FAR THEY DO FEEL A BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE ON THE ROADS AND TURNS THAT I ENJOY PLAYING ON ...

I HAVE JUST OVER 1 HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR , AND I USED THE FACTORY STEEL WHEELS FOR WINTER DUTY WITH A SET OF SNOWS ALL THE WAY AROUND ... MY GUESS IS ABOUT 40 THOUSAND MILES BEFORE I REPLACED THEM ... THE OTHER AWESOME BONUS WAS WITH THE REINFORCED SIDEWALLS I HAVE NEVER BENT OR DAMAGED MY RIMS , I RUN A SET OF KONIG HOT SWAPS ...

I'D HIGHLY RECOMMENT THESE TIRES TO ANYONE THAT WANTS A FUN , GREAT HANDLING TIRE ...

Initial Review, 6,000 Miles on Tires
May 11, 2012

Purchased these tires after I was fed up with the noise and the uncomfortable ride of the Goodyear run flats that were on the car when I bought it. The Goodyear tires did ok on dry pavement, but that was it. Not very well in the rain at all. My car is a daily driver except in the salt and snow. The Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS are GREAT! Road noise, traction, and tire wear are so far very impressive. Alot better than the Goodyear run flats that were on the car. I would definitely buy these tires again.

Initial Review, 7,000 Miles on Tires
April 27, 2012

Very pleased with these tires after 7,000 miles. Much better than the 'junk' Bridgestone Dueller 400 HL's (worst tires I ever owned) which only lasted 26,000 miles and were like skis in the snow. Shortly after putting on these tires I left on a 300 mile road trip and we had a horrible rainstorm. The tires performed spectacularly in the rain. Coming home from our trip down Parley's Canyon (very steep grades) on I-80 the road looked like a river - did I also mention I was towing a 3,000 pound boat behind me. Never once the the tires break free or felt as if they were going to hydroplane. I have been able to use the tires in all seasons now. Did great in light/moderate snow. Slightly louder (not much) than the Bridgestones and a little softer handing (again not much). Fuel economy has been the same - the Goodyear and the Bridgestone both have the Low Rolling Resistance Technology. Great thing about these tires is the 6yr. - 65,000 mile warranty. We only put about 7,500 miles a year on this vehicle and most tires are only warrantied for 4-5 years. Keep the longer warranty period in mind when you are shopping around. I will absolutely purchase these tires again.

Initial Review, 13,000 Miles on Tires
May 16, 2012

I switched from Conti SpContact 2 tires to DWS mainly due to the amount of rain we get in the Burgh area and have not been disappinted since. DWS are super quite and offer excellent wet and light snow traction, on par with the best all season tires out there. while my SP2 lasted less than 15k miles, DWS treads are still deep and show no signs of wear, front or back. Cornering is not the same as SP2's but thats to be expected. For me, it was worth the trade off. If you are looking for high performance all season tires, look no further.

Initial Review, 11,000 Miles on Tires
April 27, 2012

Had to replace these tires with only 11,000 miles on them, hit a small pot hole and and a bulge on one of the tires. The ride was not to bad, but the road noise was unbearable, unless you were on smooth pavement. The steering was heavy with these tires. On dry pavement the traction was very good. Wet roads traction was not bad, but on snow, forget it they are worthless. Do not buy these tires.
Bought a new set of Michelin Primacy MXM4 and wow what a diference. Better handling ultra quite.