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Whats your opinion on snow tires?


TopherTheME
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Winter is coming, and its supposed to be a bad one. I'm looking at getting some snow tires for my C-Max and am thinking of getting Michelin X-Ice3's. The reason being its the only low rolling resistance snow tire with the exception of the new Yokohama iceGUARD which there isn't much info on. I can get the Yokohama's about $100 cheaper off tire rack but I'm guessing they wont perform has well as the XI3's and I base that only on the fact the Michelin makes a damn good tire these days. Think its worth the risk of getting the Yokohamas? Anyone use them before?

 

I'll be mounting these on some 16x7 aluminum rims that I got for cheap from discount tire. I'm thinking either 215/60/16 or 225/55/16 for the size?

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I went for 215/60-16 X-ice 3's, based on prior experience with the X-ice line, size availability, and steel wheel pricing at Tire Rack. It was ~$1K for the set, mounted and balanced on Ford steel wheels. Add in FWD traction and excellent visibility in snow storms, and you have one of the best winter cars I've driven.

 

The Yokohama iceGUARD is not available in a size that fits the C-Max... 1433 max load capacity is not negotiable, which pushes you into 18's with 3x the speedo error of the 215/60-16's. Otherwise, they look like a good tread design, so with a hydrophilic compound, I expect they'd perform very well. Conversely, I'll question their claim of low RR, based on tread depth, 12/32s vs. 9.5/32 for X-ice (thicker tread means higher rolling resistance).

 

Have fun,

Frank

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Not a fan of Snow tires here.  Never had them on any of the vehicles.  Most were front wheel drive but many 2 wheel drive pickups too.  I do have posi-traction on the truck but no added weight.  I get through 99% of any winter conditions.  Really bad snow (10 inch or more) and I mainly just stay home for the day.  I am in a Detroit suburb.  Maybe if I was more in the country I would do something different.  

 

Torque is what is important in the snow.  This is my first winter coming up here with the Max.  Electric motors have great torque so I think this car will be better than any other I have owned.   We will see. 

 

Good luck. I would be interested hearing about your FE with the new tires/wheels too. 

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... I would be interested hearing about your FE with the new tires/wheels too. 

FWIW, I saw no change in the mileage/temperature trend when switching to snows last winter, but some improvement when I took them off, I suspect due to driving style more than tire RR.

 

I show data for two routes, but I didn't drive the back roads much last winter as the ICE ran constantly for heat at low speed, eliminating the advantage. I got better mileage on the highway...

 

Have fun,

Frank

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  • 3 weeks later...

I went for 215/60-16 X-ice 3's, based on prior experience with the X-ice line, size availability, and steel wheel pricing at Tire Rack. It was ~$1K for the set, mounted and balanced on Ford steel wheels. Add in FWD traction and excellent visibility in snow storms, and you have one of the best winter cars I've driven.

 

The Yokohama iceGUARD is not available in a size that fits the C-Max... 1433 max load capacity is not negotiable, which pushes you into 18's with 3x the speedo error of the 215/60-16's. Otherwise, they look like a good tread design, so with a hydrophilic compound, I expect they'd perform very well. Conversely, I'll question their claim of low RR, based on tread depth, 12/32s vs. 9.5/32 for X-ice (thicker tread means higher rolling resistance).

 

Have fun,

Frank

 

 

I totally missed the load capacity of the Yok's as I never even stopped to think about the weight of the C-Max. You saved me a lot of grief. I ended up going with the Michelin X-Ice3s since they were really the only RR option. I got the tires in size 215/60/R16, FK Ethos Al wheels, TPM sesnors, and a new set of lug nuts for $980 after tax and rebates. All from ebay and discount tire.

Edited by TopherTheME
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