Winter Tire and Wheel Recommendations

[alexleblanc]

with the last month's worth of snow I've been able to test the 255/60R18 Nokian's quite a bit in both deep snow, slush and ice as well as bare pavement and they get two thumbs up from me.

I like the 255's as they are the same diameter as the factory 20" wheels so my speedo is correct and it handles about 90% the same as the summer factory setup so its pleasant to drive with. deep snow and slush performance is fantastic, I don;t believe that a narrower tire is a good idea as the performance in snow and slush might be a touch better but dry road handling will suffer so its a good trade-off in my mind and it does not loose any ground clearance either.

this is the type of snow we received in the last two weeks, three storms dumping about this much each time!

 

[peterk9]

FWIW, I have used the narrower tire in Winter on 3 different vehicles and can't say I've noticed any dry road performance differences from the OEM 20".

Peter

 

[613GT500]

I'd give my tires 2 thumbs up, plus two toes up; if I can use studs here in ON...LOl
No issues with handling on narrow tires either...I mean; this is a 5000lbs beast and I wouldn't take corners the same way I do with my summer sports cars!

 

[peterk9]

I'd give my tires 2 thumbs up, plus two toes up; if I can use studs here in ON...LOl

You'd have to move a little more North to be able to use them in Ontario.

Peter

 

[Eltee]

with the last month's worth of snow I've been able to test the 255/60R18 Nokian's quite a bit in both deep snow, slush and ice as well as bare pavement and they get two thumbs up from me.

I like the 255's as they are the same diameter as the factory 20" wheels so my speedo is correct and it handles about 90% the same as the summer factory setup so its pleasant to drive with. deep snow and slush performance is fantastic, I don;t believe that a narrower tire is a good idea as the performance in snow and slush might be a touch better but dry road handling will suffer so its a good trade-off in my mind and it does not loose any ground clearance either.

this is the type of snow we received in the last two weeks, three storms dumping about this much each time!

That is a great looking setup. What wheels are you using?

 

[john gorsuch]

I have a new 2017 xlt explorer, awd, 2.3L ecoboost. It came with Michelin latitude touring HP tires (245/60/r18). I was driving it yesterday and we had a fairly heavy rain with standing water puddling on the highway, and while driving it just didn't seem to cut thru the water all that well and had a lot of resistance. I looked at reviews on these tires and they are mediocre. I like how they ride on dry, but I am in the Pittsburgh, PA area, and they are calling for a possible heavy winter this year. So I am considering on buying a different set of tires to put on for the winter months, unless someone has had good experience of these tires in the winter. But I am finding that with this size, brands and styles are limited. Any good suggestions??? thanks.

 

[John2013explorer]

I have a new 2017 xlt explorer, awd, 2.3L ecoboost. It came with Michelin latitude touring HP tires (245/60/r18). I was driving it yesterday and we had a fairly heavy rain with standing water puddling on the highway, and while driving it just didn't seem to cut thru the water all that well and had a lot of resistance. I looked at reviews on these tires and they are mediocre. I like how they ride on dry, but I am in the Pittsburgh, PA area, and they are calling for a possible heavy winter this year. So I am considering on buying a different set of tires to put on for the winter months, unless someone has had good experience of these tires in the winter. But I am finding that with this size, brands and styles are limited. Any good suggestions??? thanks.

Hello,
I needed tires a while back and I ended up picking up a set of BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A and I love the tires. I have taken them through the snow in the mountains here in New Mexico last year when we got some decent snow and also through mud. Great buy for the money!

 

[john gorsuch]

Hello,
I needed tires a while back and I ended up picking up a set of BFGoodrich Long Trail T/A and I love the tires. I have taken them through the snow in the mountains here in New Mexico last year when we got some decent snow and also through mud. Great buy for the money!

what size do you have?? I checked the BFgoodrich site and they claim they don't make my size?!?!?

 

[TechGuru]

For a year round all season I'd go with Michelin Defender LTX M/S (M/S means Mud/Snow!)
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s/p/11302

If you want two sets, for winter I'd go with Cooper Weather Master WSC Studdable
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/cooper-weather-master-wsc-studdable/p/27847

and for summer, Cooper Discoverer HTP
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-htp/p/27342

 

[John2013explorer]

what size do you have?? I checked the BFgoodrich site and they claim they don't make my size?!?!?

I found some for the 18" on tirerack.com and they are 164.21/piece. Also for the 20" of this is the size that you have, I would recommend the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus and tirerack.com has them for 190.71/piece. I have not used these but they have some really high reviews associated with them. I used to always push Michelin but they rot after some time and in my opinion they are too expensive for this to be a worry of mine. Any other questions, send them my way.

 

[peterk9]

I have a new 2017 xlt explorer, awd, 2.3L ecoboost. It came with Michelin latitude touring HP tires (245/60/r18). I was driving it yesterday and we had a fairly heavy rain with standing water puddling on the highway, and while driving it just didn't seem to cut thru the water all that well and had a lot of resistance. I looked at reviews on these tires and they are mediocre. I like how they ride on dry, but I am in the Pittsburgh, PA area, and they are calling for a possible heavy winter this year. So I am considering on buying a different set of tires to put on for the winter months, unless someone has had good experience of these tires in the winter. But I am finding that with this size, brands and styles are limited. Any good suggestions??? thanks.

No All Season (3 season) tire will perform as well or be as safe as a dedicated Winter tire. I always use them in place of the OEM ones. Several members have 2 sets of wheels for just that purpose.

Peter

 

[John2013explorer]

I noticed someone else mentioned that the Hancock tires are junk for snow conditions.

I'm considering buying a set of winter tires and finding a set of rims. Generally I can find tires competitively priced but what about steel wheels.

Where is the best place to buy those from. (20")

What kind of wheels do you like? (Spokes, Color, etc.)

 

[John2013explorer]

Yes this would be great to have two sets of tires but my BFGoodrich tires are really good for a year-round set. Tried and tested.

 

[mrnextel]

I went from the LTX MS, they were great in the snow and rain, sloppy handling, otherwise comfortable, just over priced. Now have the Bfg Ko2's (also owned by michelin) they took care of me on my treadwear warranty. About 1/2 off. Had to buy a Michelin brand. I will always miss the pirelli scorpion atr, not great in winter, but everywhere else, damn they handled great!!

 

[thefranchise713]

On my Limited with 255 50R20s, I downsized to 18s and got General Grabber Arctics... absolutely unstoppable.

http://generaltire.com/tires/winter/grabber-arctic

Works well for me, but I'm also a believer in dedicated snows. Even while the Michelin all-seasons I just got have really good winter ratings.

 

[Jenifef]

What are the best, safest, winter tires for 2015 Explorer XLT (snow, slush AND ice) ?

 

[peterk9]

What are the best, safest, winter tires for 2015 Explorer XLT (snow, slush AND ice) ?

Welcome to the Forum.
I have moved your post to this thread found with the Forum's handy 'Search' feature located at the upper right of the page.

Peter

 

[Steve Brucher]

I am looking for a recommendation for some winter tires. I was about to install some 255/50r20 Blizzaks but happened to notice some other tires in the 20" size like the Continental WinterContact 265/50r20 that are significantly less expensive. There are also many more brands available in that size. I understand theoretical issues with changing tire sizes and have done my homework regarding the 1.3% difference in circumference. I am looking for feedback from owners that have actually used optional 20" sizes on their stock Limited 20" rims. Thanks in advance!

 

[peterk9]

I am looking for a recommendation for some winter tires. I was about to install some 255/50r20 Blizzaks but happened to notice some other tires in the 20" size like the Continental WinterContact 265/50r20 that are significantly less expensive. There are also many more brands available in that size. I understand theoretical issues with changing tire sizes and have done my homework regarding the 1.3% difference in circumference. I am looking for feedback from owners that have actually used optional 20" sizes on their stock Limited 20" rims. Thanks in advance!

Why not get a dedicated Winter wheel/tire set-up? A friend of mine kept using his OEM wheels to put on and take off Winter tires and over time the wheels wouldn't retain tire pressure. I use an 18" steel wheel (Ford Interceptor) with 18" Winter tires (Blizzaks). This also helps prevent the OEM wheels from being exposed to sand/salt. A 235/65R18 is the exact equivalent of the 255/50R20. The 265 you mentioned would have a diameter difference of -1.3%. Just a thought.

Peter

 

[Nexu]

Why not get a dedicated Winter wheel/tire set-up? A friend of mine kept using his OEM wheels to put on and take off Winter tires and over time the wheels wouldn't retain tire pressure. I use an 18" steel wheel (Ford Interceptor) with 18" Winter tires (Blizzaks). This also helps prevent the OEM wheels from being exposed to sand/salt. A 235/65R18 is the exact equivalent of the 255/50R20. The 265 you mentioned would have a diameter difference of -1.3%. Just a thought.

Peter

Hi Peter. Where do you recommend buying those rims?