Winter Tires for the Subaru! UPDATE: Think I found a better solution

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/28/2018 at 15:06 • Filed to: None

After doing some research, I’ve decided that I definitely am going to do some sort of performance winter tire for the Subaru this winter. Yes I live in Southern California where winter doesn’t really happen so snow tires are rather unnecessary in general. But I want to take this car skiing since I’ve got a season pass good at Mammoth for this coming winter so I’m sure to head there through some rough stuff. I think I could get by with all seasons but I’d rather avoid the chain restrictions almost entirely (yes I know I have to keep them in the trunk anyways, but at least not use them). Anyways, instead of going for maximum winter grip with studless tires, I’d like to get a set of Performance winters so at least driving to work isn’t terrible all winter long. Anyone have suggestions for performance winters that will survive lots of dry weather use followed by the occasional blizzard? I’m also probably gonna make a driving trip to Salt Lake City since now Solitude was added to my pass as an unlimited mountain! So highway noise is a priority for the tires as well.

I have to check my tire size, I believe this one would not work.

My current vote is on the Falken EUROWINTER HS449 in whatever size I can fit on the oem bbs wheels. My summer tires are nearly toast so I will probably just swap them out in November for snows and then get different wheels and summer tires in the Spring so that I have two sets.

Also, my new skiis arrived!

UPDATE:

Based on some great suggestions from Oppos, I think I have found a better solution. Nokian WRG3!

This is an “all season” tire that is actually ALL season rather than no season compromise bad at everything. After a post regarding the chain laws in california and some more research, I have learned that M+S all seasons qualify as “snow tires” so far as the law is concerned. I still want a tire with REAL snow performance and this is supposed to be an actual option. I still wont canyon carve with it but I think I can surive a season with only one canyon carving vehicle (#firstworldproblems). At least then it can still drive to work without melting the tires in a month.

I think a 205/50 should fit based on this:

If not, I will have to keep looking since they do not have my exact size.

I guess I could get the newer WRG4 for more money though if I really want to stick to my size. I have to imagine the new tire must be better anyways:

Anyone know any other places to buy Nokians from? I cant find many websites that carry them. I will check a few local places to see if they can get them for similar cost.

DISCUSSION (41)

M.T. Blake > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 00:13

This assuming we get snow again this year. I’m tired of being a good Boy Scout only to be disappointed in every storm. It ain’t cold enough!!!

MrDakka > M.T. Blake
08/28/2018 at 00:29

This. Watch, in about 20 years, there's not going to be any snow in Mammoth or Big Bear. You'll be skiing on sand

IdleInCA > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 00:30

Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (PA4). My previous experience w winter performance tires was bad, but these surprised me. For real winters in places like Alberta or Northern Michigan I’d recommend Nokian Hakkas,

CodyVella > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 00:36

The best winter tires I’ve ever owned were Continental Extreme Winter Contact. But a lot can be said for a decent set of disposable Sailun winters from Walmart.

For what it’s worth I live in the Central Ontario Snowbelt, those Continentals were unstoppable.

razorbeamteam > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 00:46

I’ve had Blizzaks in my A4 for the past two winters. They are awesome on snow and ice. I took the car drifting on a frozen lake once and it was a blast. They are fine in the dry, as long as it’s cold. Anything above 60 and they start to turn to mush and wear pretty quickly.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > MrDakka
08/28/2018 at 00:48

Nah global warming is fake news! Clean coal is here to save the day. Now that FAKEbama and HiLIARy are out, we will have only the best snow. No colusion!

I feel gross.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > razorbeamteam
08/28/2018 at 00:54

I will regularly be driving in 60+ degree weather but I should be able to minimize it in the dead of winter since it’s cold in the morning (usually around 40) and its dark when I’m driving home. I will just not go Canyon carving at lunch time lol. But yeah its probably my biggest concern, Driving in too much heat. I’ve regularly seen 90+ on warmer days in “winter” no joke. My plan is to drive the Miata more during the week to help as well. I’ve always heard great things about Blizzaks but I think I should stray away from the traditional studdable/studless tires.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > IdleInCA
08/28/2018 at 00:55

What did you try and why were they bad?

promoted by the color red > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 00:56

Check out June Mountain/June Lake - it’s all the Mammoth thrills without the throngs of people. You can also do a nice long powerslide when you’re making a left off the main road into town.

facw > IdleInCA
08/28/2018 at 01:00

It’s been a while since I’ve had snows, but I definitely liked my Pilot Alpin 2s. Frankly I think they were better on dry roads than either pair of all-seasons I’ve had since, and quite good in the snow.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > M.T. Blake
08/28/2018 at 01:00

We already had a light snow year, that means it’s time for at least an average one. I’m happy with any snow out here though. Compared to the east coast, a “bad” snow year out west is still amazing. Seeing Vermont thaw out to COMPLETELY grass in February two years ago was insane. And then somehow it became the best, snowiest winter ever, fucking bipolar shit. At least the base doesn’t melt every couple of weeks out here.

I’ll be spending most of my season in Utah anyways now that I’ve got Alta/ Snowbird, Deer Valley, and Brighton with 5 days each and solitude with unlimited. And I have options in Colorado with similar number of days so if one area dries out while the other gets dumped on, I'll have options still.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > promoted by the color red
08/28/2018 at 01:02

My pass is good at June Lake as well, I might as well try it out at least. Although it is a little further from home which is somewhat concerning. I definitely love a less crowded mountain and maybe even lodging is easier around there too!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 03:43

If you dont have constant low temps you will eat through snow tires very quickly. not worth spending the money on them if you dont have snow. Just get a good set of all seasons and you will do just fine. I went through MI lake effect snow in my old AWD DSM on summer tires.

IdleInCA > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 06:55

Blizzak LM32. No lateral grip. Almost went off a cliff in the mountains. Note the LM32s are not the same tire as the WS80 even though they’re called Blizzaks

nafsucof > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 08:18

continental winter contact. best snow tires i’ve driven. the compete with the blizzard but are cheaper and better on dry pavement. tire rack has a comparison of them vs other snows and they rule!!

Sovande > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 08:44

Nokian Wrg4. All season with a true winter rating.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/28/2018 at 10:43

It has nothing to do with being fine or not in the snow. I'm 100% sure that a decent set of all seasons plus Awd would work fine. But legally I would have to use chains when it's snowing and after doing that once, I swear to never ever do that again. I won't be dailying the tires unless it's raining or the Miata is broken. Ideally I need to just swap on the snow tires only when going skiing but I think I can get by just dailying the car less.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 11:46

ah ok that makes sense. In that case i like Blizzaks.

Also that chain rule is stupid.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
08/28/2018 at 12:39

It’s generally setup up that there are three conditions:

R1: 4wd or snow tires or chains

R2: 4wd AND snow tires or chains

R3: 4wd AND snow tires AND chains (although road is usually closed at this point due to complete whiteout conditions)

I think chains in general are stupid but it is pretty common out west, I guess because they don't use salt anywhere.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 12:55

Sorry to interrupt, but legally as long as your tire is M+S on the side wall that counts as a snow tire, even though we know it is not a snow tire. I have driven through chain control multiple times on HWY 80 in my Impreza during R1/R2 conditions with M+S tires, never had any issues with Caltrans.

red014 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 13:01

I’d look at the Nokian WR G3 (older model) or WRG4 (newer) . They call it an all- weather tire as opposed to an all-season , as it’s got the mountain/snowflake logo for actual winter use. I read somewhere that they included some tech from their Hakkapeliitta line of winter tires (head and shoulders above all others) . That way you won’t be burning thru winter tires in SoCal warmth .

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/28/2018 at 14:44

Wait really? That is even stupider lol. EVERY all season tire pretty much says M+S on it. Why the hell do the signs and guidance all say SNOW tire when they dont mean it? I hate ambiguous laws...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > red014
08/28/2018 at 14:47

I definitely like this idea! If I can find them in the correct size and at a decent price this would be the best option.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:10

Yes really, that is why I never bought real snow tires in california. For the two days a year that I would actually need them it was never worth it. I did carry chains in my car so I could show them off at chain control, but they are still in a box in my garage and have never been used .

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/28/2018 at 15:19

Do they make you take the chains out and prove they fit ? I would rather carry around the random set that I bought for a rental that would never fit my car. No point in owning real ones that I will never use. Even if the road was open in R3, no way am I driving, i value my life lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Sovande
08/28/2018 at 15:23

This is the best suggestion! After looking into it a bit, this is 100% my favorite option. I am having trouble figuring out if there is much of a difference between the WRG3 and WRG4. I might just order the newer one since there is more size selection and it must be improved somehow. But if the older one is the same, I could save a good bit of money.

ComputerDr > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:24

Can’t believe no one has mentioned the Michelin X -Ic e X i3. It’s the only winter tire with a treadlif e warranty (40k mi) if that tells you anything , has excellent handling and road feel like some all-seasons , exceptionally quiet with no tread noise on clear roads and great snow grip. I’ve used mine in MN winters on a Mazda3 for over 15k miles and still have 10/32"!! Would never buy anything else.

Sovande > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:26

Simpletire .com. And Amazon may have them. That is where I got my Nokians.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ComputerDr
08/28/2018 at 15:33

They certainly arent a bad option. But here in Socal I will not face real winter conditions 100% of the time I am at home. The Nokians seem to be a much better compromise than a no season. All weather is a neat concept!

Sovande > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:33

Look at Walmart too... they will ship for free. My Nokian Zlines were $62 each and I can’t say enough good things about them.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:35

Vredestein Quatrac 5 is another option like that Nokian.

ateamfan42 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 15:43

Ideally I need to just swap on the snow tires only when going skiing but I think I can get by just dailying the car less.

If you mount the snow tires on a separate set of wheels, you could swap those on yourself in about an hour as preparation for a ski trip.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ateamfan42
08/28/2018 at 16:10

That is what I meant haha. And eventually what I will do regardless of the tire I get. But right now I only have one set of wheels and will wait a bit before buying a second set. I think I want to get an actually nice set of wheels since my stockers arent perfect anyways.

I am worried about my wheels being stolen just sitting in the garage since I have nowhere to put them in my apartment. So its a high likelihood I would get a storage unit once I get a second set of wheels. And that means swapping wheels weekly would suck. Apartment life sucks!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 16:22

No they don’ t verify if the chains will actually fit, and like you said if you have to put chains on a subaru you probably are going to die.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 16:43

You are going to burn through any snow tire on frequent round trip drives to Mammoth from SoCal. I’d go with an all-weather, but even then you probably won’t need it much. That’s a 600-mile round trip each time from San Bernardino (closest spot in the Los Angeles metro area) .

CA is insane about snow. They’ll make you chain up no matter what tire you have in my experience.

DasWauto > ComputerDr
08/28/2018 at 16:57

The Xi3 is a great tire - I’ve now bought 2 sets - but I wouldn’t praise the road feel or handling of them. They’re not bad but they’re not remarkable in any way in that regard. When winter approaches its end I’m always getting really antsy for some real road feel and grip from my summers. They are indeed quiet and wear well as you mentioned. I wouldn’t use them in California winters though, a proper winter tire like it will get very mushy at those temperatures.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 16:58

I checked my tire programs and I can’t get those

functionoverfashion > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/28/2018 at 17:03

I will second the Michelin X-ice Xi3. I had a similar Michelin on my last set of winter wheels, used them four winters and sold them for $150 after all that. They were on my awd bmw wagon, which, like the subie, was already pretty good in the snow. The thing was, they were by far the best snows I’ve ever had on dry roads . They weren’t super noisy and there wasn’t a huge handling difference between those and my summers - which aren’t high-performance, either, just decent summers on stock 16" wheels.

I just got a set of the Michelin x-ice xi3's for my wife’s Mini and I have high hopes they are a lot like the others, which were fantastic. For the record, those were Michelin Pilot Alpin. 205/55/16 on the bimmer.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
08/28/2018 at 18:28

Sounds good to me! All weather is definitely my plan. I really like the Nokians and they seem to be a decent price. I’m also gonna make at least one driving trip to Salt Lake as well so having a tire with long treadlife will be great.

ateamfan42 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/29/2018 at 08:28

Apartment life is something I certainly don’t miss.

Does the garage not lock up to keep folks out? Perhaps chain all the wheels together with a lock— it is really hard for someone to pick up all 4 wheels at once.

Worst case, stack the wheels in the living room 2 high and put a piece of plywood over the top-- instant extra coffee table.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > ateamfan42
08/29/2018 at 11:51

Kinja'd!!!

I’ve done that before when living on my own, girlfriend would not approve in our current apartment lol.

My garage is a big two story parking garage that all of the entrances are secure. But my girlfriend’s car was broken into one day so people must get in from time to time. All they need is someone to open a door for them so human error is the weak link.

I try to not leave things laying out in the open that would be easy to just walk away with. I have two spaces and easily could fit wheels and all of my tools there along with both cars. But I just worry about things disappearing. Four wheels chained together doesn’t sound like a bad idea, I’d definitely consider that.