tire time again

[Pennhaven]

Are there any yokohama or michelin's which are recommended?

You might want to check out the Yokohama YK 520 or YK 580. These are all season asymmetrical tread models made by Yokohama for distribution by Discount Tire. I just switched from the YK 520 to the newer YK 580 design.

I liked the performance of 520s a lot. Of course all I had to compare them to was the stock Pirelli Scorpion STRs. So mine is just one person's seat of the pants evaluation. In my opinion though the YK 520 performance was superior to the Pirelli's on dry and wet roads and very similar on snow. The Yokos were also quieter, at least until they got over 20,000 miles, when they started to "sing" a little. Discount Tire siped them for me then for $10 per tire and, somewhat to my surprise - since I was skeptical, that cured the noise and I believe also improved the grip and steering feel.

The YK 520 wear was very even across the tire, much more so than the Pirellis. Tread life was slightly worse though overall, but the good news there being that because the Yokos are warrantied for 60,000 miles, Discount Tire gave me nice pro-rated mileage rebate of about $65 / tire to apply to the new YK 580s, no questions asked.

The YK 580s are a newer design and are supposed to be better in every respect than the 520s. In 215/65R16 98H the 580s sell for $114.00 here vs. $109 for the 520s. Discount also sells Yokokama's standard AVID Envigor for $118, but they rate it inferior to the YK-580 (UTQG 560AA vs. 580AA.)

[Astro14]

Seems like most are not using 215/65 R16, when not using the Pirelli.

Should I replace with 235/60 R16 if I do not use the stock?

Astro do you have the nokian SUV?

Are there any yokohama or michelin's which are recommended?

Seems like selection is few and far between if you really require XL.

I do have the Nokian WR G2 SUVs on the Volvo and the WR G2s on the MB...they're identical in appearance, but the Volvo's are XL load range...

I recommend that you go to www.tirerack.com - it's a great resource for tire information: testing, specs, consumer feedback. You'll notice that if you search by size, you'll have lots of choices in your size, but if you search by vehicle, there are few...that's because your car specs a 215/65R16 XL with at least an H speed rating, and few tire models meet that spec.

You don't have to use the tires that are spec'd for the car, unless you live in a place like Germany, where the TUV requires it for your safety. Personally, I wanted a tire that met ALL the specs...I flew enough flight test in my life...I prefer to know that my daily transportation is correctly equipped.

Lots of folks will disagree with me and that's their choice...but there's a reason that Tire Rack won't sell you the incorrect spec...and you would have to be a tire engineer and do the testing to know what you could get away with for lower rated tires...

[jyanno]

For the YK580, I have not seen any reviews yet with XC70 ( I have MY04 ), as they are new.

Would you get the 235/60R16XL or the 215/65R16 98H with the YK580s?

215/55R16XL 97H BW
215/65R16 98H BW
225/55R16XL 99V BW
235/60R16XL 100H BW

I am thinking of going with the Nokian WRG2 SUV 215/65R16/XL 102H, since they seem to be proven out. But it would save me a couple bux with the YKs.

My top priority is safety as my wife was in a very bad accident a while back and she drives the XC with my two daughters (both under 5).

[Astro14]

If the highest level of safety is important, then I would run the Yokos for summer, and invest in a set of dedicated winter tires, like the Blizzaks or the Hakapelliittas mounted on an extra set of wheels (saves the mounting problem twice/year and $$ in the long run). I know that you live in NJ, but on ice, those dedicated winter tires can stop in half the distance of all-season tires like the Yokos. Being able to stop in the shortest possible distance is important to safety.

Now, for less than the cost of 4 new wheels and tires, the Nokian WRG2s are a winter tire that can be run all year around. I have not seen an objective test of the WRG2s vs. say, the Hakapelliittas, but they would be very close...the WRG2s have great winter traction, the result of rubber compound, tread design and siping.

The cheapest option (and least safe) is to just buy all season tires. Most people do this...but that's because they think with their wallet at the tire store, instead of assessing risk vs. severity of outcome. I've seen so many wrecked 4WD and AWD SUVs and cars in the mountains of Colorado and Vermont that I've lost count. All that power management means nothing if the tires can't grip the road to brake or steer and the result is a crash...from simply sliding into a ditch to truly wrecking...and I have been behind several cars and watched them wreck while I brought my 2WD car with 4 winter tires safely to a stop to assist...

In your case, I would go with the WRG2s since you value safety over cost. They're more $ than the Yokohamas...but they will stop faster on ice, snow or slush than the Yokohamas...and get very close to the performance (and safety) of the dedicated winter tire set up.

[Pennhaven]

No argument with Astro's recommendations when safety is the highest priority.

I do want to give the YK 580s a provisional thumb up though, having just put 1,500 miles on them this week driving to tidewater Virginia and back through Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

I was extremely impressed with them on dry interstates through the mountains. How they'll do in the rain and snow remains to be seen, but if they are also a major step better than the YK 520 in those conditions, then they should make for a very nice all season tire for our cars.

[GI Joe]

I've put about 20K on my XC, and I'm getting some slippage in the rain. The tread is getting pretty low and they'll need replaced soon.(Michellin Harmony? that came on the car when I bought it)
I've read this thread and see a lot about the WRG2, and the YK580.

With our climate here in E.TN, we don't really see much snow, but we do get some hefty rain. This thread seemed to focus on winter/Snow driving.

Anyone in a not so snowy, yet not totally dry, climate have any recommendations from personal experience?

Cost is a huge factor for me, but safety is bigger, this is the Fam wagon after all!!

Thoughts?

[sjonnie]

With our climate here in E.TN, we don't really see much snow, but we do get some hefty rain. This thread seemed to focus on winter/Snow driving. Thoughts?

Can't beat GoodYear Assurance TripleTread in the rain - IMHO

[RichS]

According to GoodYear web site, no suitable Assurance Triple Tred tire is available in 215/65R 16 size. According to Tire Rack, Assurance TripleTred All-Season is available in 215/65R 16 size but is only 'T' speed rated, so unsuitable for Volvo.

Altimax is a good, cost-effective option and decent in the rain.

[GI Joe]

Sjonnie,
I appreciate the reply, but I have long been against "good"year tires. I have had Horrible service out of a few sets in the past, and simply don't trade with them anymore.
With that said, I went on tirerack and did some looking about...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTires.jsp

The Geolandars are on my mind as I just installed a set on my Thing, and I've had them on a few other vehicles in the past. They've given Great service and drive very well. Of course an AT on the XC might not be the best.... Or maybe it is! I've been tempted to give her a little lift, but not sure the suspension would appreciate the increased angles. They seem rough on suspension bits already... no need to exaggerate that weakness.

Be interested to hear anyone else that's run an AT tire on the XC.. How did they hold up?

[Ars Gladius]

There are a few users (Carboncow, etc) who have Geolanders on their XCs, overall it has been very positive.

I will be putting a set of them on mine this spring once the winters come off.

There is also one user (uscgc70) that has BFG Mud Terrains, I believe, however he does use the car off-road for field work and they are not that suited to pavement use.