tire time again

**Ozzie** · 12-01-2011, 04:14 PM

As I have posted before, for my 05 XC70, I am on my third set of WRG2's. Getting 37K to 39K per set. I run them year round. Replacements have been $165 each - shipped overnight from Michigan to the installer. Another 35 miniutes and $85 for install and disposal of old tires.

This tire has saved my a$$ many times on snow and slush with excellent stopping and starting. Dry and wet performance is excellent too. The mountain logo with the snowflake on the side of each tire says it all.

If you have to fight with the snow and don't want to have two sets of tires the solution IMO is WRG2 XL.

0z

**Astro14** · 12-01-2011, 04:18 PM

With you 100%...great tires...and when your car is under control in that crud, you're going to be glad you had them...instead of sliding around thinking, "I am sure am glad I saved a few bucks on these tires..."

**Astro14** · 12-05-2011, 08:20 PM

Here's a great write up on Speed Ratings from a tire engineer:

http://www.barrystiretech.com/speedratings.html

Pertinent points:

The speed rating test is done on NEW tires and the tires only have to last 10 minutes to get the rating. However, in order to be assured that ALL tires will pass the speed rating, tire manufacturers over design - then test to some point OVER the rating. Exactly how much varies from tire manufacturer to tire manufacturer. It might be an hour at the rated speed - it might be 2 steps above the rated speed - there just no way to tell what they do unless you work for them in their testing department.

Second, older tires don't do as well on these tests. He's documented as much as a 6 step reduction in capability just due to normal things. So a T speed rated tire (118 mph) may only be able to sustain - at a later time - a paltry 81 mph!!!

So, you think your T-rated tires are good for 118 MPH...and maybe there are...until they have a few miles on them, are run in the heat, or are fully loaded...

At that point, those T-rated tires may not even be good at the speeds a regular driver drives...

Go with a minimum of H.

**Ars Gladius** · 12-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Interesting read Astro, thanks.

Interesting end paragraph:

Almost all tire failures occur in S and T rated tires. Hardly any occur in H and higher speed rated tires.

I recommend that everyone use a minimum of an "H" speed rating.

As well as the difference between a "T" and a "H" speed rating in tire construction.

**TheDarkKnightt** · 12-07-2011, 08:47 PM

I'll admit I've never owned a set of winter tires in my life- never had a need to until now. Down here, we get maybe a week of snow on the ground a year- more or less. I was taught by my father that the best darn answer in snowy/icy weather is to simply stay at home.

I'm having to travel much farther north now- into the mountains VA, WV, PA and NC, so I'm going to have to get a set. I have had a set of chains for the XC, and even though I've installed them once- I've never used them- I've had a set of chains for every vehicle I've ever owned. Anyway...

The dilemma is- 99% of my driving is interstate- an average of 1K miles a week- I don't think straight winter tires will hold up to this kind of abuse or interstate speeds- which is what most of this thread is about.

Other than getting a little MPT trailer from Wells Cargo that can be towed at interstate speeds and keeping a set of four winter tires in it, I don't know the correct answer. I do keep a watch on the weather and will at all cost stay off the road in bad weather whenever possible-I'll get a hotel room until the roads are clear. I'm most worried about the knucklehead who'll lose traction and hit me.

I've currently been running the Goodyear Fuel Max tires and was pleased with them for two sets, but I guess I've been lucky until not too long ago when I learned how fragile they are! Hit some road debris with them and they'll blister very easy. However, they ride, wear and handle well (until you hit something) and they do save right at 9% gas mileage on the interstate over the Tripletreads I used to use.

**Astro14** · 12-07-2011, 10:22 PM

What about these:

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...okian+WRG2+SUV

They're on my wife's XC...and they're great tires. H rated, XL load range, severe winter service rating...and great in occasional snow...

Only have 15K on them...so can't tell how long they'll last, but the '02 seems to eat tires every 30K and these are doing at least as well as the Yokohamas they replaced...

**MacNoob** · 12-08-2011, 07:59 AM

The WRG2 is the answer for most any tire question - except "what can I get cheap?" ;-) As close to an all-purpose all-weather tire you will find.

I use them on my little Honda year-round here in the great white north. The only drawback I can see is that they aren't as good as a studded winter tire on slick ice, and they are a little noisier than a summer touring tire.

My XC has dedicated snow tires on steel rims so I don't need to wreck the 17" alloys in the winter salt.

**damajor** · 12-22-2011, 05:32 PM

Just got some new Continentals at 95,000 miles; they replaced the Goodyear Triple Tread, which replaced the original Pirellis at 44,000. So far, the Contis are very quiet, and the handling is superb. We shall see how they wear. I will keep you posted. If you get Contis, please read the fine print. They require frequent rotation, or the warranty is void.

**damajor** · 12-23-2011, 07:39 AM

Just one more comment about the Continentals; they are not cheap.

**Astro14** · 12-23-2011, 12:28 PM

Can't say that's true for all models of the Continentals.

The Extreme Contact DWS were both best performers in Tire Rack's all season test last year...and in a 235/45R17, with a Z speed rating, they were the cheapest....