You're Probably Overthinking Which Winter Tires to Buy

Some thoughts on winter tires for the first-time user, and why you're probably overthinking your decision.

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#WinterTips
#DrivingTips
#Snow

[bonnieblu]

I'm an extremely anxious person and have spent 5 hours reading about tires thank you - I needed this reminder.

[steezyplaya]

You right I’m definitely overthinking. Thank you.

[ooshkinah]

Take it from a northern alaskaner. You can't go wrong with Brigstone Blizzaks, Nokian Hakkapeliitas, Continetal Viking contacts, or Hankook I-pikes. Driven them all . I tend to favor Hakkapeliita and I-pikes. BUt all are great.

[troysims]

Living in the Northwest of Canada you need aggressive tires! Tires like Michelin X Ice3 are garbage because of the amount of slush / wet snow we get! The freeze thaw from day to night time makes it even worse so only a tire with generous spacing between deep thread blocks and tons of saw tooth siping, soft rubber and studs will do! If the winter tire looks like an all season tire it will perform like one in this area! Pick the right type of tire for the area you live in with its winter weather demands instead of going by tire reviews from someone who lives in a different climate!

[chriscowan]

Solid advice Justin. Comments on sticking to the reputable brands are on point. Auto
Trader...we need more reviews by Justin!

[ZirvmoFringe]

One thing to think about is “how long is winter where I live”? In other words, how many k’s do I drive in winter? If you only need them for a couple of months a year then cheaper ones like the Blizzak will work. The problem is that the soft compound that actually makes them work is not very thick and wears off fairly quickly leaving you with an all season basically. Better tires like Nokian or Michelin wear longer. I live in Calgary and ski about 40 to 50 days a year in the mountains. I put my Nokian Hakka’s studded on in October, usually put about 15, 000 km on them each winter and take them off in early May. I get 4 good seasons out of them and sometimes 5. They cost more up front but last longer doing what a winter tire is supposed to do. Also ask what is my safety (and others safety) worth to me?

[ToddandAmandaWilliams-bmmi]

Many of us have problems searching for safe reliable tire for our vehicles especially me do to my kids riding in our van a lot I want to be sure they are going to be safe I understand that no tire is 100 percent but id like to be somewhat clear headed knowing my kids will get home safely your video truly helped me choose tire thank you

[Just-Michael]

I tend to overthink many things, but it actually didn't take long to choose winter tires. My first year with my own car and Bridgestone Blizzaks were on sale so I grabbed a set. Hopefully they live up to the hype. 👍

[DD-srxm]

Thanks for that. It’s pretty easy. Get winter tires period. If you can afford it get some cheap rims for them. Get smaller diameter and a narrower tire/rim that still fits your wheel specs. Change to them somewhat late and off them somewhat early to preserve tread.

[Blerkz]

Can’t go wrong with Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone or Goodyear. They spend more money every year on winter tire R&D then other brands and their tires are consistently the top rated. For me I’m getting the Continental VikingContact 7.

[dash-ryan]

Thanks very much Justin! I have bought winter tires for 30 years now and your advice is sound, timely and certainly applicable to the uninitiated. Glad you stayed away from mentioning brand names, making this a truly neutral review.

[benjanorris]

So what I got from this video:

1. Don't buy cheap Chinese made tires
2. Ask someone else

[GarryBurgess]

I've always used Bridgestone Blizzaks, but this fall I'm switching to Michelin X-Ice Snow.

[jlousy]

I've driven gen1 X-ice's, Firestone Winter forces, and WS80's but the most impressive to me has been General Tire Altimax. Extremely great value

[CommandoMaster]

Are MAZZINI SNOW LEOPARD 2 a good winter tire for snow/wet/ice/cold conditions, considering the price?

[ragrle]

No one ever talks about hydroplaning on slushy conditions, even slush under the snow, just as dangerous as solid ice, and yes, I have the answer because I plowed roads for 27 years.🤣

[Ferraridude]

I love this video, the emphasis on self reliance in the advice, like at 1:42. So much more helpful than other ways of giving advice, really thoughtful and well considered.

[allaboutkoreanlife]

My brother, you resemble the weapon musium guy in the movie "Last Stand"

[Sargethest]

Good advice. Too many choices out there, sets up for confusion for sure.
The first solid choice is to opt for Winter tyres to begin with.
They will make your all season tyres last that much longer...
Yes, winter tyres are an investment but also investment protection -- what I mean by that: both tyres and vehicles are now very expensive.
Yes, you have 2 sets of tyres for your vehicle but they also both can last 4 seasons comfortably (for example 4 winters) before you must replace them; and even then, that will depend on how much driving you do.
Nail down your criteria and get some information you can rely on. What is most important to you?
I've tried many tyres over time and noticed that for me, the way I drive and where I live and travel, Michelins are worth the extra $$ as they last 1 season longer than the rest and that's worked for me. Tyres that don't last long means spending more $$ in the long run.

[AJ-qngd]

Hi from the U.K. we don’t get much snow in my corner of the country most years but have just fitted Michelin Cross Climate 2s to my wife’s Subaru Forester they should be a great all rounder hopefully 👍🏻🇬🇧