I've just moved to Quebec City from Vancouver. My Goodyear Integrity tires, with only 53,000km on them, are already practically bare. So I need to buy a new set of tires. I'm not sure if a pair of good all-seasons will work or if I neet to buy a separate set of winter tires for this area. I see alot of cars out here running their winters in mid-august... not sure if this is the norm. I've been advised to get a separate set of rims for my winters. I don't mind having to spend more if it means more safety/traction in the winter. It would also be nice to have better looking rims than the plastic I have now Hoping there is someone familiar with the winters here that can share advice. Thanks!
If you have an accident after Dec 15th w/o winter tires, you get a fine. Now, for good winter tires, that's another story. The traction control is so sensitive, it is worthwhile to get tires with integrated spikes (crampons en français). More expensive, but will be worth it. If not, I've done 3 winters on Yokohama Snow & Ice, the top-of-line, around 75$ each. I'm thinking of ditching them for the upcoming winter for spikes. The problem is people that spin their tires at stop signs and red lights when it's below 0, causing ice patches. The Prius traction control kicks in, and you inch forward in traffic, to the dismay of traffic following you.
Try this tire, studded Goodyear Nordic | Canadian Tire I had VERY good results with it, running them on my 2004 Prius with its sensitive "Traction control." The tires will hum loudly between 50-65 km/h, but if you want a "real" winter tire, they are worth it This Goodyear Nordic is the same tire as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 sold in the EU Goodyear Eur-Winter Tire-UltraGrip 500 If you click on "Profile" a Flash movie loads that explains the tire construction and benefits. I strongly recommend studded winter tires (If not allowed, then good studless winter tires) for winter driving. NOTE: if you decide to run the winter tires on separate steel rims, and I would recommend doing so, then you must also purchase the proper "acorn" style lugnuts. Using the Toyota lugnuts on aftermarket steel wheels, the lugnuts will DANGEROUSLY loosen up You can get the proper acorn lugnuts for steel wheels, at NAPA. They are M12-1.5x21mm thread, and will also work on the FJ Cruiser. Part number is 10#641-2042 and should cost around $1 each, or $20 for all four wheels
Hi DanVargas: I posted a thread a few days ago myself dealing with getting ready for winter. While it is now law as of last year in Quebec (aka "La Belle Province" ) requiring you have Winter Tires here in Newfoundland (aka "The Rock") it isn't, but common sense dictates that is should be. Others have pointed out that All Season Tires just don't cut it on ice or snow covered roads. That being said, I have been searching for both Steel Rim and Studdable Tire for our 2010 Toyota Prius. I have found several dealers (non-Toyota) that have 15" Steel Rims for a reasonable price ($60 Approx) so I will most likely get a set of 4. As regards to tires and what brand I am still up in the air though I am leaning heavily towards Nokian Hakkapelitta 5 Studded Tires (www.nokiantires.com). Other brands to consider that seem to have a good tread on them are General Altimax, Continental Contiwinterviking 2, Hankook W490 and Pirelli Winter Carving Edge. Go to http://www.tiretrends.com/sizeSelec...15.0&submitMatch_x=1&typeFilter=15&showAll=on and you will see those I listed and more that match 195/65R15. Hopefully this will give you something to consider. Though it is still September don't leave it till it is too late and dealers have sold out. Tous les meilleurs.......
If you want one tyre that can be used year round, there's none other than the Nokian WRG2. However, if you want a dedicated winter tyre (Which means you'll need a separate set for the summer), get a Nokian R (their best non-studded tyre) or get one of their studded tyres like the one Edward is considering.
