SUV Wheels

Initial Review, 22,000 Miles on Tires
March 13, 2012

I am a pharmaceutical industry scientist and I write test reports for a living, so excuse me if try to depart from my normal dry and mundane style of writing.

I was hesitant to by A/Ts for my Honda Pilot, this SUV is principally front wheel drive and the rear wheel drive kicks in if the front axle traction slips. I don’t think I have ever seen any Pilot with these tires. Most SUV owners go with the LEs. I really had no good reason to buy A/Ts. I never go off roading, but it is nice to know I can if I want to. I bought these in Nov-2010. We had several blizzards that winter. I noticed that in deep snow and ice the AWD sign did not light up as often on my dashboard as it did with the factory tires, which means the front wheel drive mode was enough for traction even in the worst conditions. I drove my SUV to several places to familiarize myself with the limitations of these tires both in winter conditions and normal conditions. I have driven them to test their limits in all forms of surfaces from ice, snow, gravel, marsh, grass, uphill, downhill and highways.

These tires are by far the best tires I have ever owned. They grab the road like the devil himself. Cornering is exceptional and the overall stability is insane. Braking is on the dime.
I have 22,000 miles on this set and they look about 40% worn so I am guessing I will get a good 40K miles on them. I rotate and balance them every 4K miles without fail. Off course I have to say that the Honda Pilot is an exceptional vehicle and these tires do it justice.
I did go up one size and that may have caused my mileage to drop by about 1 to 3 miles per gallon, but then again higher traction has a price. I ask myself if I had to absolutely stop my vehicle in a hurry what would matter more?

Initial Review, 30000 Miles on Tires
February 08, 2012

This is my 4th vehicle that I've purchased these tires for. Ive been using this tire since the mid 90's! I swear by it. You won't get better high speed traction and cornering performance combined with wet/snow and ice traction. I currently have them on my 2006 mazda speed 6. These tires, combined with all wheel drive are unstopable! There is no need to mention dry / wet traction and cornering.... Top of the line. Whats great about these is the traction in the ice / snow! Iv'e driven through New England winter weather and New York Blizzards and ice storms, as long as the car is not bottoming out in the snow, I can make it, with minimal effort! Ive made it up steep icy inclines with no slippage, while 4 wheel SUV's slid down the hill. This tire is by far the best all season ultra high performance tire for under $200. While in the Army, I even had these tires shipped to Germany, while I was stationed there.

Initial Review, 8,000 Miles on Tires
March 04, 2012

I downsized in diameter and width for these tires, and it is a good combination for the Audi Quattro. Tire Rack shipped quickly with the wheels I ordered.
Within a month of putting these tires on I got a chance to put them to the test. Calgary was hit with a sudden, disastrous snow storm at evening rush hour, with all city roads freezing over and not a sanding truck in sight. Unfortunately I had to go out in this---to pick up my wife who was stranded in her car with its all-seasons. Major arteries heading north out of the downtown core were closed due to wrecks and stalled vehicles, so I had to try a hill on a side street. An AWD SUV had slipped sideways about ¼ of the way up this hill so I had to wait until bystanders got it turned around. I was a little apprehensive as this hill is quite steep, and usually closed with any kind of ice or snow. It starts out fairly flat but then the grade increases sharply about halfway up. I gave the car some gas and....it climbed right up the hill without the traction control even coming on! I couldn't believe it. Felt a bit like the Audi commercial on the ski ramp (which I might almost believe now). Spent the next 2 hours winding through back alleys and dodging wrecked vehicles getting to my wife, and then back home. I immediately concluded that these were the best snow tires I have ever owned.
I followed this trial with a run through a deep snow drift about two weeks later in one of Calgary's unplowed industrial parks. I thought for sure I was going to hang right up in it, but the Audi clawed right through for almost a half block. I measured the snow at 20" deep afterwards!

Initial Review, 1000 Miles on Tires
January 12, 2010

This is the worst winter I've seen in my over 40 years of driving. After missing two days of work not being able to get out my driveway in my rear wheel drive car, it was necessary to buy a 4-wheel drive. I was happy that Kia was using Michelin as original equipment, but I have to say that I was worried that the all season highway tread on this tire would not do well in the record snowfall that we've had. I was very surprised at how well this tire does in the snow, even in 2-wheel drive. The tires just seem to dig in and go. It's a blast to accelerate up a snow-packed hill in 4-wheel drive with a lot of confidence. I don't drive like a nut, and I realize that any tire has its limits, but I don't see a situation in which I would drive that I wouldn't have confidence in this tire. Besides being happy with its performance in the snow, it is a smooth riding, very quiet tire. I'm very happy with the way this small SUV rides and handles and I find it hard to imagine that there is another tire that would be an improvement for the way I drive. I don't do any serious off-roading, but considering the way the tires have handled this weather, I wouldn't worry about using them for an occasional trip off the pavement. I've only driven 1,000 miles so I can't comment on tread wear, but I wanted to comment on its capabilities while it's still winter. As of this writing, I'd definitely buy this tire again.

Initial Review, 400 Miles on Tires
November 20, 2011

Fantastic snow tires! I've owned Blizzak tires in the past and I've owned Dunlop snow tires as well, but these new Blizzak tires were day and night better than any snow tire I've ever tried. Yesterday I drove through our first snow fall in Minnesota. We had ice and then a layer of snow above it. These tires gripped the ice as if it was dry. Everyone else was driving in the right lane where the lane was a little more clear and doing about 20 - while I was able to just coast at 60 in the left lane on the snow/ice... When we got off the highway there was deeper snow in the town - these tires just rips and grips the snow like nothing I've seen... honnestly really impressed. I was undecided between these or a performance snow because I didn't want a tire that was too "soft" but even in the dry they felt quite stable, not all squirly like my other set of blizzaks were. Deff will buy these again. Heck - I easily out accellerated suv's off the line in the snow... love it! I do have all wheel drive which helps... stoping grip is superior and cruising stability in the snow is just solid as it could be.

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
February 22, 2012

I bought these tires 2 years ago I use to remove them in the winter month's now I don't have to living in Texas I can drive on them all year around an I love handling of especially in wet traction they really perform on the highway in wet conditions you can feel the traction in the stirring wheel they are very attractive cleaned up with tire shine on them the speed rating is a plus in dry traction and handling in a full size SUV I'm already getting ready to buy a new set before these are thin I really love Yokohama products for trucks..

Big Mo
Slicka~Fly Recordz
 

Initial Review, 32,000 Miles on Tires
December 20, 2010

Prior to installing these on my front-wheel drive Subaru wagon, I was driving on somewhat Goodyear Integrity all-season tires, and I had a hard time negotiating deep snow, slush and hardpack. Wet roads made driving on the Integrities a white-knuckle experience.

I switched to the Winterforce tires (set of 4) at the beginning of a winter when we received nearly 4 feet of snow in December alone. The tires produced a remarkable increase in snow traction, taking me where previously I would have only attempted to drive with my 4wd SUV. I live on a steep hill and I was surprised how well these tires worked climbing hills. I left them on year round which has reduced the tread life. I just ordered a new front set because after 32K miles about 1/8" of tread remains, and having just driven after a 13" snowfall, I am noticing a definite reduction in traction. I agree with others' comments about noise, but to me that noise is a song, my tires singing "Let It Snow!" I'll probably never go back to using an all-season tire. I plan to switch summer and dedicated winter tires from now on. These really got the job done in Wisconsin's winters.

Initial Review, 68000 Miles on Tires
February 02, 2012

I put these tires on my 1999 Chevy Tahoe (2 door) in May, 2009 at around 150,000 miles. Now, in February, 2012 it has 218,000 miles on it, and these tires still have some tread life left (albeit only about 2,000 miles). I rotate every other oil change and keep them balanced religiously with good, epoxyed-on weights on the inside side of the factory 5 spoke wheels. I've had BFG A/T's (old style) on a 1999 Ford Explorer, and these are as good, if not better, than those were. These tires stick to the road in rain, which is one of my biggest concerns when purchasing tires. I have a small sidewall gash in one, and a small nail in the tread of another (which I discovered last week), and they just keep going. They ride just a little bit rough (I believe they are 6 ply all around), but that minor inconvenience is a price I will pay any day for the durability and safety these tires provide. I have not noticed any road noise issues. Offroad, they are unbeatable. I have never gotten stuck in them, and rarely have to use 4 wheel drive going anywhere-not so for my friends with skimpier tires. Taking into account that they are 1/2 the price of BFG A/T's, these have to be the best value in tires, and the best tires, I have ever owned. I will put them on every truck or SUV I own from now on.

Initial Review, 1000 Miles on Tires
January 17, 2012

I upgraded the Range Rover from 18" rims to 16" to have more tire on the rim for go-anywhere driving. I know it's only been 1,000 miles, but these tires have been great. The chunky tread is amazingly quiet. The rim protector feature is great for city parking (curb rash on the 18" wheels was always an issue). The sidewalls have some give to keep the ride smooth.

So far only two downsides: handling is looser from the sidewall flex (28 front/38 back) and the tire is oversized so it won't fit into my spare wheel well inflated. Yes I could raise the tire pressure a bit, but the ride quality will go down.

I have been a big fan of the now discontinued Michelin XPC (which many consider the best SUV tire ever made) I finally retired my XPC's after 10 years and 60K miles. They still had at least 5/32 of tread left, but the rubber was starting to crack from age. I am delighted to have bought the AT2s to replace them. I am hopefull that they will wear just as well.

Initial Review, 300 Miles on Tires
January 15, 2012

I've had both Blizzaks and Continental Winter Procontact tires on my 85 Porsche and was unsatisfied with the Blizzaks feel on dry roads (where you spend most of your time). Both were great on snow. I'm pleased to say that these are obviously a much improved version of my old Blizzaks, they have great road feel none of that steering a cow delay of the old days, VERY quiet, and so far in the ice and what snow we have had they are like the grip tires on the Mach 5 (speed Racer) they just stick to the road. The cornering is good considering the softness of the tread lugs but that is to be expected on a snow tire, just slightly less cornering stability in tight turns than a regular street tire. I'm very pleased with these tires. Most people would not think to put snow tires on a 4WD vehicle figuring that they would be fine getting around, and probably that's true for the most part. Imagine yourself on the off ramp on the Highway and in front of you as you come around you see a vehicle on the one side of the road, one in the guard rail, another on the other side, and the car in front of you starting to slide. THAT is why I buy snow tires, at this point you either panic or you control the vehicle, Blizzaks will stick you to that road and you won't become another statistic of winter driving crashes. Peace of mind! Additionally you WILL be able to get through ANYTHING when it comes to snow. I drove my 85 Porsche 944 back from Vermont to Philadelphia with Blizzaks during the worst Noreaster we have had in recent history and literally watched (through a tiny un-iced hole in the windshield) SUV's tumbling along on the side of the road. I not only made it but was able to plow through more than a foot of snow for about the last 2 miles to my house and we are talking a rear wheel drive light sports car very very low to the ground. Do yourself a favor and get some for your truck you will thank me later.

Initial Review, 18300 Miles on Tires
January 05, 2012

It seems amazing to me the negative response that these tires are getting. They are good solid daily driver. The tires have very limited road noise. The handling is good for tire that is on a SUV. The tires are a good in the snow. This is first winter I have experienced these tires in the snow and they will get the job done. They by no means have the traction of a snow tire. They are not meant to. These get the job done if you know and understand what the intended purpose of the tire. I general run 4 snow tires on my vehicle this year I just had not gotten around to it. I think people need to understand what a wise man once told me all-season tires are a three season tire. They are not meant to be used in the snow. If you live were it snows buy dedicated snow tires for all 4 wheels. The tires are probably the most important part on your vehicle. That being said I drove my Escape in 2 snow storms with these tires on my vehicle and didn't spin a wheel.

Initial Review, 52000 Miles on Tires
January 04, 2012

Got about 50,000 miles on these tires over about 4 years. Very good tire overall. I thought they performed very well in snow, as they got me through long drives in two of the worst snowstorms in recent history here in the Philadelphia area. Performed pretty well in rain as well. Lasted a decent amount of time and delivered a smooth and quiet ride.
My only complaint was that towards the end, when I probably still had about 8,000 miles left of wear on them, they developed a bad wobble in the tires. The steering wheel would shimmy back and forth, left to right, at speeds under 30 mph. I had them rebalanced and the alignment checked, but both were fine. For some reason the tires developed this problem late in their life. It was annoying and made for a very unpleasant feel while driving.
I replaced them a bit earlier than I wanted,originally with the Bridgestone Alenza's, and then with the Michelin Primacy MXV4s, and the wobble went away. Beside this problem towards the end of their life, I was happy with them. I would have replaced with the same Cross Terrains, but since they are being discontinued, I chose not to.