Snow Tire Recommendation for I2??

Brezel Fan · 10-06-2009, 10:13 PM

Has anyone bought any snow tires yet by chance? Tire Rack recommends

General Altimax Arctic (Studdable Snow)

but I have never heard of that tire before and I am not sure that Wisconsin even allows tires with studs. The original tires are Dunlops. Would anyone recommend sticking with those for snow tires as well? Any thoughts or recommendations?

**waterdog** · 10-06-2009, 10:37 PM

I have not made a purchase yet, but here is where I am on research. I think I have narrowed it down to 4 top candidates - none of which are perfect

Nokian WRG2: my favorite winter tire for eastern Massachusetts conditions (I run them on 3 other cars), but does not come in standard Insight size - would need to bump up to 195/60-15

Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3: good reviews on Tire Rack and in CR, though CR dry condition braking ratings are marginal (same issue for most of the winter tires that CR rated) - same size issue as with Nokians

General Altimax Arctic - exact same profile as the Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s

Michelin Xice - Xi2: good reviews on Tire Rack and CR, though CR dry condition braking ratings are marginal (same issue for most of the winter tires that CR rated) - advantage is that it comes in 175/65-15 size

My current inclination is to go with the Nokians if I can find them at a reasonable price, but need to think on it some more before I decide.

nevada72 · 10-07-2009, 09:00 AM

I bought the Generals (on steel wheels) for my daughter's 2000 Civic last year. They are "studdable" but I ordered them w/o studs - not legal in WI where we live. I was so impressed that I bought an identical set for my 08 Fit. Having traded the Fit on the Insight, I'm pretty sure they will bolt right on. They work very well and the price was right. Naturally, the low tire pressure indicator will be on all winter. I got used to it.

I also have the Bridgestone WS-60s on my Dodge Grand Caravan - very nice and also a very good choice. I have Pirelli Scorpions on our Yukon XL and I'm not very happy with those. I've never had a set of Pirellis tires that I like though.

PS - We had a LOT of snow last year. Also, I did the 14 inch wheels and tires. The outside measurements end up working out and speedometer readings are accurate (on the Fit, which I'm told has the same platform as the Insight). The brakes clear. Again - this info is for the 08 Fit. I'll know when I bolt them on in a month or so.

**waterdog** · 10-07-2009, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the review on the Generals. Of the four I listed as my finalists, I think the Generals seem to be the best value for the money - but I have not decided whether to go with an upsized tires or not. Costco offers good prices, but will not install any size other than OEM, so that would push me to the Michelin Xice-xi2 tires.

Brezel Fan · 10-07-2009, 07:11 PM

I too am debating about upsizing. Tire Rack recommended 195s, although the manual says something about 175s, which is what the vehicle came with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterdog

Thanks for the review on the Generals. Of the four I listed as my finalists, I think the Generals seem to be the best value for the money - but I have not decided whether to go with an upsized tires or not. Costco offers good prices, but will not install any size other than OEM, so that would push me to the Michelin Xice-xi2 tires.

Brezel Fan · 10-07-2009, 07:14 PM

Oh, I forgot to mention that I will probably buy new wheels as well, so it should not matter that the 195s would not fit on my current wheels, but I am wondering if it is worse for the car overall by going with the 195s when it was designed with 175s in mind.

**waterdog** · 10-07-2009, 11:34 PM

My concern with upsizing is that wider is not necessarily better for snow tires. I would not hesitate to go a little wider for the summer tires (though I realize it may cost me a mpg or 2).

nameless00 · 10-16-2009, 04:34 PM

I'm getting Toyo G-O2, they don't list the 175 65/15 size online but my dealer had them. They ranked on dry conditions marginally better than the Xi2, I like Nokians but again haven't been able to find the right size.

Given how small and light the weight the I2 is, I'm tempted to think up sizing the tires may even get you stuck more since wider tires typically require more weight to cut through snow. Not sure how that would impact fuel economy.

**waterdog** · 10-17-2009, 12:44 AM

I am down to deciding between the Toyo Observe G-02 and the Michelin X-ice. My usual tire dealer tells me they both come in the OEM size. Will probably put the snows on the OEM wheels and then decide what to do about summer tires later. I would like to step up a size for summer wheels/tires, just to get more tire options, but I also don't want to just toss out the remaining useable tread on the OEM tires, so I may just swap back on forth on the OEM wheels a few years before buying the second set.

nameless00 · 10-17-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterdog

I am down to deciding between the Toyo Observe G-02 and the Michelin X-ice.

As I noted the G-O2 seem to have better dry stats but are a tad noisier, I was told X-ice are really Xi2 tires if they are new stock and they seem to have different stats than the originals..

Wear on the tires from being mounted and unmounted is pretty tough on the tires. If you know you're going to upsize then sell the Dunlops in slightly used condition and upsize around spring, this will at least leave your winters in decent shape on the OEM alloys or steel rims.

Trying for the OEM alloy size the UK (185 55/16)? 195 45/17 might be a tad too wide for the wheel well, but would be darn cool.