Best Tire option

[StealthyBulldog]

We had thought about trying to run our 22's for the winter with the factory Hankooks, but don't think that's going to happen!! Wife missed our Caddy with the first snowfall! So looking at getting 20" rims and tires, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV. LOVED our R2's we had on the Caddy. Maybe run the stock in the summer for a while and switch to Nitto 420S when they wear down.

I would like to go 18" winter, but the rims we (wife likes best) are only available in 20".

 

[MonkeyBrains]

So I’ve got my rims all picked out. Fuel Blitz 18x9 +20. Going with either Duratracs or BFG AT K02 tires. I would like to go a bit larger than the size Ford specs for their 18 inch wheels, which is 275/65R18.

Does anyone here know how big I can go? I’d like to go 285~295/65R18 or 295~305/60..

I’m leaving the suspension as stock for now. I’ve seen a few pics of larger setups on Expys with stock suspension, but details are sparse. Seen pics of 305/55R20s on Expys but I seriously doubt they still have full suspension range and/or don’t rub. Not into cutting or trimming anything at this time.

How easy is it to update tire size so my instruments aren’t lying to me? Is there a way in to those settings or do I need a tuner or Forscan?

 

[scottdm]

We had thought about trying to run our 22's for the winter with the factory Hankooks, but don't think that's going to happen!! Wife missed our Caddy with the first snowfall! So looking at getting 20" rims and tires, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV. LOVED our R2's we had on the Caddy. Maybe run the stock in the summer for a while and switch to Nitto 420S when they wear down.

I would like to go 18" winter, but the rims we (wife likes best) are only available in 20".

Here area couple photos of my Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV tires on 20" Expedition wheels for reference. I've always been pleased with the Hakkapelitta tires and the additional grip they provide in icy/snowy weather. They also seem to have good tread wear characteristics.

 

[StealthyBulldog]

Here area couple photos of my Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV tires on 20" Expedition wheels for reference. I've always been pleased with the Hakkapelitta tires and the additional grip they provide in icy/snowy weather. They also seem to have good tread wear characteristics.

Thanks! Which rims are those?

 

[scottdm]

Thanks! Which rims are those?

They are the 20" wheels that are an option on the XLT and I had them coated with PVD Black Chrome.

 

[29twonine]

I just ordered a set of Blizzaks from Costco, just going to have them swapped out with the stock rims twice/year for now. We've been getting lots of snow already here in Colorado and the Toyo's don't do the best on the ice.

BTW Costco has all Bridgestone's on sale starting today.

 

[scottdm]

I just ordered a set of Blizzaks from Costco, just going to have them swapped out with the stock rims twice/year for now. We've been getting lots of snow already here in Colorado and the Toyo's don't do the best on the ice.

BTW Costco has all Bridgestone's on sale starting today.

If you are picky about the condition of your wheels, they will get pretty beat up with mounting/dismounting twice a year regardless of how careful the tire store is. That's a big advantage of having a 2nd set of wheels dedicated to snow tires.

- The clear coat typically gets messed up around the center cap from the cones they use on the spin balancer and then the salt begins to corrode the aluminum.

- The bead area will also get scraped up from the tire mounting machine. Most tire mounting machines also "grip" the inside barrel of the wheel during the mounting process and leave little divots in the aluminum.

- Since these newer wheels require the use of sticky weights on the inside of the barrel, you'll have double sided tape residue every time they peel off the weights when they re-mount/balance the wheels.

 

[Joey Smith]

Any recommendations between the Michelin Latitude X-ice vs Blizzak DM-V2’s?




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[MonkeyBrains]

So I had to slip and slide around again this morning, can’t wait any longer. Ordered the Goodyear Duratracs in 275/65R18 with Fuel Off-Road Blitz wheels as 18x9 +20 offset. So these tires are the same size spec as what Ford puts on their Expy 18” wheels, which makes them the same 32.1” diameter as my current 285/45R22s, so should be no drama there. The smaller offset will push the wheels out a bit more, but they’re also a half inch wider, so the back spacing leaves the back rim of the wheel 0.69” further out than Ford’s stock 18” wheels.

I know I could have gone a bit larger tire, but wasn’t sure how far I could go. And the tires I wanted were not available in the little bit larger sizes I know would fit (based on my quick measurements). I think I wanted the KO2s in 305/65R18 but too many unanswered questions right now. I’d probably need a leveling kit. Possibly need to trim my power steps. Possibly need the 18x10 wheels...

 

[29twonine]

Any recommendations between the Michelin Latitude X-ice vs Blizzak DM-V2’s?




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I would say it depends on where you live. I live in Colorado and we've already had several large snow storms this year so we're going with the Blizzaks. We had a minivan before the Expedition and ran the Blizzaks on it, also. They seem to me to be a little more aggressive, but that's what we need where we live. If you live somewhere that doesn't get a lot of snow, maybe the X-ice would be better for you. Also it looks like the Michelin's load rating is 113, where the DMv2's are 117, not that it matters that much since both would be good enough. You may, also, get a little more wear out of the Michelin's.

 

[Joey Smith]

I would say it depends on where you live. I live in Colorado and we've already had several large snow storms this year so we're going with the Blizzaks. We had a minivan before the Expedition and ran the Blizzaks on it, also. They seem to me to be a little more aggressive, but that's what we need where we live. If you live somewhere that doesn't get a lot of snow, maybe the X-ice would be better for you. Also it looks like the Michelin's load rating is 113, where the DMv2's are 117, not that it matters that much since both would be good enough. You may, also, get a little more wear out of the Michelin's.

Thanks for the input. I live in California and am planning a trip to Oregon (Bend) and also to Tahoe now and again. Based on your feedback, it is sounding like the Michelin’s may be fine.

Will leaving the Michelin tires on in the California weather thru Feb/Mar be too harsh on the winter tires? I hear winter tires may wear down quickly when used in warmer weather but I also do not want to keep swapping them on/off thru the season...I was planning to use the same wheels and swap the tires...




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[JS2295]

What about Nokian WRG4 or WRG3? I had the WRG3s on my 3rd gen. Night and day difference when compared to oem Continentals.

 

[Kmdcolo]

What about Nokian WRG4 or WRG3? I had the WRG3s on my 3rd gen. Night and day difference when compared to oem Continentals.

What size wheel do you have? My OEM tires were Handkook DynoPro HT. They were okay the first winter but had little to no traction our first snow fall this year. I replaced them with Continental Terrain Contact A/Ts at 22K miles.

 

[JS2295]

What size wheel do you have? My OEM tires were Handkook DynoPro HT. They were okay the first winter but had little to no traction our first snow fall this year. I replaced them with Continental Terrain Contact A/Ts at 22K miles.

My 3rd gen had 17" rims 265/70r17

My 4th gen has 275/55r20 stock tires and they offer very little grip in snow/ice. Really miss the Nokian WRG3s.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

What size wheel do you have? My OEM tires were Handkook DynoPro HT. They were okay the first winter but had little to no traction our first snow fall this year. I replaced them with Continental Terrain Contact A/Ts at 22K miles.

I have the factory Hankook DynoPro HT in 22" and I have 24k miles and they still do fine in the snow here in Chicago. A little noisier now that they are getting up there in milage, but surprised how well they have lasted. Not sure I am going to change when it's time to replace unless Discount Tire really convinces me that something different would be a better choice. Plus, just like anything else you buy, it the eye of the beholder that matters.

 

[Randy Schmidt]

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=CSTAS

Found this interesting...

 

[scottdm]

What about Nokian WRG4 or WRG3? I had the WRG3s on my 3rd gen. Night and day difference when compared to oem Continentals.

Are those the hybrid tires that have half winter tread and half regular tread? Would be curious on the tread wear rating since most winter tires are soft enough that they don't have a tread wear rating.

 

[Plati]

Are those the hybrid tires that have half winter tread and half regular tread? Would be curious on the tread wear rating since most winter tires are soft enough that they don't have a tread wear rating.

Are you sure winter rated tires have soft rubber? I do not know but I "think" technology has gotten past that. I run winter rated (snowflake mountain symbol) year round and don't notice wear penalties. Falken Wildpeak AT3W & Kumho Road Venture AT51

 

[scottdm]

Are you sure winter rated tires have soft rubber? I do not know but I "think" technology has gotten past that. I run winter rated (snowflake mountain symbol) year round and don't notice wear penalties. Falken Wildpeak AT3W & Kumho Road Venture AT51

The snowflake mountain symbol isn't a good overall guarantee about winter performance (only means the tires pass an acceleration test on medium packed snow). Dedicated snow tires (Blizzaks, Michelin X-Ice, Nokian, etc) also have the snowflake mountain symbol but also have enhanced braking, handling, ice traction, etc based on their softer rubber compounds, siping, tread pattern, etc. Unfortunately, these enhanced winter driving characteristics come at the expense of tread wear.



From Tire Rack's website:

A three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol branded on a tire's sidewall indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated. Originally used as a designation for winter tires, the 3PMSF symbol is now featured on some all-season and all-terrain tires with snow performance that meets the testing criteria.

• Testing measures a tire's acceleration traction on medium-packed snow only. Braking and turning on snow, along with ice traction are not components of the test.
• Tires branded with the 3PMSF symbol are expected to provide improved snow traction beyond a standard M+S branded all-season tire.

Note: 3PMSF-branded all-season and all-terrain tires cannot match the traction of dedicated winter / snow tires in all winter weather conditions and should not be considered a replacement for where and when a dedicated winter tire is needed.

 

[Plati]

The snowflake mountain symbol isn't a good overall guarantee about winter performance (only means the tires pass an acceleration test on medium packed snow). Dedicated snow tires (Blizzaks, Michelin X-Ice, Nokian, etc) also have the snowflake mountain symbol but also have enhanced braking, handling, ice traction, etc based on their softer rubber compounds, siping, tread pattern, etc. Unfortunately, these enhanced winter driving characteristics come at the expense of tread wear.



From Tire Rack's website:

A three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol branded on a tire's sidewall indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated. Originally used as a designation for winter tires, the 3PMSF symbol is now featured on some all-season and all-terrain tires with snow performance that meets the testing criteria.

• Testing measures a tire's acceleration traction on medium-packed snow only. Braking and turning on snow, along with ice traction are not components of the test.
• Tires branded with the 3PMSF symbol are expected to provide improved snow traction beyond a standard M+S branded all-season tire.

Note: 3PMSF-branded all-season and all-terrain tires cannot match the traction of dedicated winter / snow tires in all winter weather conditions and should not be considered a replacement for where and when a dedicated winter tire is needed.

Wow thanks. Did not know. I might have once known and forgotten since I've tuned into my particular needs and tuned the big picture out! Appreciate the reset.