Hello all, I would appreciate some opinions.. my daughter will be driving about 40 miles to Pittsburgh a few times a week for work. We just sold her my wife’s 23 Rav all wheel drive.. I want to put her a good tire for driving down the turnpike and the parkway.. I’m thinking something a little better than an all season. Thinking maybe nitto nomad grappler?? Or a Faulkner?? What’s good. ?? Thanks
2023 Toyota Rav tire help
- Thread starter grizzly72
- Start date
What size tire is called for?
225/65/17
all-weather tires are good
If you're willing to spend the money on name-brand tires:
Nokian WRG5
(Nokian) Nordman Solstice 4 (the old WRG4)
Toyo Celsius II
Kumho HA32
General 365AW
Falken Aklimate
Cooper Enduramax
Cooper TractionCommand
If you don't want to spend that much money:
Prinx Hiseason 4S HS1
Summit Ultramax 4S
Kenda Vezda Touring 4S
Sailun Atrezzo 4S
Lexani Quattro Tempo Tour
Rovelo Instinct AW
And of course, see what's on sale on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, if you can wait a month.
Thanks all
Pittsburgh has real winters and hills, if I am not mistaken.
Could she stay home during the worst weather? All weather tires are the ones to get if real winter tires are too much problem (storage/swapping) or not needed (while snow is still possibility).
Krzyś
Could she stay home during the worst weather? All weather tires are the ones to get if real winter tires are too much problem (storage/swapping) or not needed (while snow is still possibility).
Krzyś
Multiple threads like this if you search down some. Most have links to Tire Rack with their tests and video reviews. One thing I try to watch is the emergency lane change, some are better than others.
Where do you buy tires? What is around you and where she travels in case something happens?
Costco does free mounting and includes 5 year road hazard as well as normal flat repair, rotate balance. From there I would opt for Michelin CrossClimate 2. Defender 2 not a bad option but not as good for wet and snow.
If you have Sam's Club I might give the new Goodyear WeatherReady 2 a shot. The Sam's by me shopping on line had some comment of no road hazard in NY. I still need to find out about that.
I prefer to stick the more brand names but it's not my wallet. How old is your daughter? How much driving experience? Does she know how to change a tire on her car if needed? Does she have roadside assistance? I've known many that waited hours for local AAA to get there. Is she in the habit of checking pressures, wear and tread depth? I can have tire done in 20 minutes or less IF I have a spare tire and the tools.
Link to All Weather choices at Tire Rack in that size. The test links are under each one on their website. They also have recommended installers everywhere with often better price.
Don't discount your Toyota or other dealers. They often have deals. My Honda dealer beat local shop I use (TR recommended installer). That was all in for 4 new winter tires with road force balance. Costco, BJ's and Sam's (maybe) are hard to beat with the other coverages and service if issues.
Probably not based on above but I presume you are not planning for 4 true winter tires on rims? That might change recommendations if something for future.
Where do you buy tires? What is around you and where she travels in case something happens?
Costco does free mounting and includes 5 year road hazard as well as normal flat repair, rotate balance. From there I would opt for Michelin CrossClimate 2. Defender 2 not a bad option but not as good for wet and snow.
If you have Sam's Club I might give the new Goodyear WeatherReady 2 a shot. The Sam's by me shopping on line had some comment of no road hazard in NY. I still need to find out about that.
I prefer to stick the more brand names but it's not my wallet. How old is your daughter? How much driving experience? Does she know how to change a tire on her car if needed? Does she have roadside assistance? I've known many that waited hours for local AAA to get there. Is she in the habit of checking pressures, wear and tread depth? I can have tire done in 20 minutes or less IF I have a spare tire and the tools.
Link to All Weather choices at Tire Rack in that size. The test links are under each one on their website. They also have recommended installers everywhere with often better price.
Don't discount your Toyota or other dealers. They often have deals. My Honda dealer beat local shop I use (TR recommended installer). That was all in for 4 new winter tires with road force balance. Costco, BJ's and Sam's (maybe) are hard to beat with the other coverages and service if issues.
Probably not based on above but I presume you are not planning for 4 true winter tires on rims? That might change recommendations if something for future.
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Having lived here in Pittsburgh all my life, I'll tell you we have hills. Lots and lots of hills. We only get a few bad winter days, but it only takes sliding on slippery roads for less than a minute to bust up a vehicle.
That said, get a set of 4, "Michelin Cross Climate 2" tires, or if you can find them in that size get the recently released Michelin Cross Climate 3. Fantastic all season tire that drives like dedicated winter tires in snow and ice, they plow water out from under like crazy in big rains on highways to find great grip on the road, and wears like iron. People in other states brag about having put 60,000 miles on them and they still have enough tread to go more. You won't get that out of any tire in Pittsburgh. The stop and go and climbing up and braking while going down hills shortens tire life here to about half what other areas get.
I have sets of 4 of the 2's on my 2016 crv and my sisters 2018 crv ( she also lives in Pittsburgh ), and they perform great all year around.
They are expensive, but worth every penny. Great tire.
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BTW, if she's new to Pittsburgh, tell her that on the rare occasions when theres a really bad rain storm, avoid the bottom of valleys. They still ocasionally flood from all the runoff from the hill. Where 51 meets 88 gets it and 88 near that intersection also gets flooded. Sometimes by the exit of the liberty tunnel on the outbound ( away from Pittsburgh ) side, and theres a few others.
Also, dont live at the bottom of a mountain in a valley. Theres a reason those houses that regularly flood are so cheap to buy or rent. It ain't worth the hassle of getting flooded out. But people still fall for those low rent and low cost houses. If theres a stream near by, think about where all that water is going to go when it turns into a raging river with all the runoff from all the hills.
People getting flooded out is nothing new when seen on the local news. There are only a few areas like that, but it does not take a rocker scientist to figure out not to live there.
That said, get a set of 4, "Michelin Cross Climate 2" tires, or if you can find them in that size get the recently released Michelin Cross Climate 3. Fantastic all season tire that drives like dedicated winter tires in snow and ice, they plow water out from under like crazy in big rains on highways to find great grip on the road, and wears like iron. People in other states brag about having put 60,000 miles on them and they still have enough tread to go more. You won't get that out of any tire in Pittsburgh. The stop and go and climbing up and braking while going down hills shortens tire life here to about half what other areas get.
I have sets of 4 of the 2's on my 2016 crv and my sisters 2018 crv ( she also lives in Pittsburgh ), and they perform great all year around.
They are expensive, but worth every penny. Great tire.
-------------------------------------------
BTW, if she's new to Pittsburgh, tell her that on the rare occasions when theres a really bad rain storm, avoid the bottom of valleys. They still ocasionally flood from all the runoff from the hill. Where 51 meets 88 gets it and 88 near that intersection also gets flooded. Sometimes by the exit of the liberty tunnel on the outbound ( away from Pittsburgh ) side, and theres a few others.
Also, dont live at the bottom of a mountain in a valley. Theres a reason those houses that regularly flood are so cheap to buy or rent. It ain't worth the hassle of getting flooded out. But people still fall for those low rent and low cost houses. If theres a stream near by, think about where all that water is going to go when it turns into a raging river with all the runoff from all the hills.
People getting flooded out is nothing new when seen on the local news. There are only a few areas like that, but it does not take a rocker scientist to figure out not to live there.
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Another vote here for Michelin CrossClimate2. If you want to go cheaper, try Falken Aklimate.
You listed Nitto as one of your first picks.
In your particular situation the Nitto Motivo 365 would be a better pick. The Toyo Celsius CUV is another good choice. Toyo owns Nitto Tire.
In your particular situation the Nitto Motivo 365 would be a better pick. The Toyo Celsius CUV is another good choice. Toyo owns Nitto Tire.
Nokain Remedy WRG5 or Pirelli Weather Actives. I also had Michelin Cross Climate 2s but preferred the useable traction even down to 3/32nds" with the Nokian and Pirelli in Northern Midwest winters. The Michelins got squirrely at 5/32nds".
You guys are awesome thanks for all the great ideas.. we actually live near seven springs ski resort.. I’m good to drive with anything but my daughter just graduated from west Virginia and has to drive from up here to Pittsburgh and surrounding areas a few days a week. I want to put the best on her vehicle. Thanks everyone’s opinion is appreciated..
Ty yep around here all my life also.. we are out near 7 springs resort!! I will follow up on the tires you listed.. if your ever coming up this way send me a message.. I always have ice cold beer and the smoker going with something!!
We have a 24 rav4. In my experience with finding a solid cold weather-capable rain/snow friendly all season, I’ve yet to find better than the Michelin crossclimate2. We had a CRV which for some reason spun freely on any wet surface with my wife driving. We went through several tires early. The Michelins were the best. 95% chance her 24 RAV gets a set next year.
PA is cold, wet and hilly. Nitto has a good name in All terrains, but all terrains take two steps back for road tires, including snow and rain on pavement.
There are similar Goodyear and Pirelli tires out there with good reviews, but the Michelins may keep the performance longer. Bridgestone makes a weather-oriented highway tire that is probably also worth looking at - I just haven’t used them
I can vouch for the continental all terrain terraincontact, which is almost a highway tire. Its cold/wet performance is excellent, road manners are great. And it’s quiet. They may make it in her size.
Edit. Oh the Yokohama G015, which are getting hard to find, has also been a very good year-rounder. It’s being replaced by the G018 which may not receive as much love.
PA is cold, wet and hilly. Nitto has a good name in All terrains, but all terrains take two steps back for road tires, including snow and rain on pavement.
There are similar Goodyear and Pirelli tires out there with good reviews, but the Michelins may keep the performance longer. Bridgestone makes a weather-oriented highway tire that is probably also worth looking at - I just haven’t used them
I can vouch for the continental all terrain terraincontact, which is almost a highway tire. Its cold/wet performance is excellent, road manners are great. And it’s quiet. They may make it in her size.
Edit. Oh the Yokohama G015, which are getting hard to find, has also been a very good year-rounder. It’s being replaced by the G018 which may not receive as much love.
Man I’m thinking you guys have me talked into the Crossclimate 2.. Sam’s has them and my wife and daughter live there.. such a weird looking tire?? You really think there good in snow and in rain?? She’s driving a lot of turnpike and 376 into Pittsburgh.
219 at Sam’s and I think there is a 70 rebate.. just want her to have a good tire..
I can attest they are one of *the best ever* in the rain and are a top all-season for snow.
AutoMechanic
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I have a 21 RAV4. Personally I like the design of the Michelin Cross Climate 2 but it’s our most returned tire at the Toyota dealership where I work for noise complaints. I’d say for every 10 sets sold at least 3 come back for credit towards new tires because they don’t like the Cross Climate 2. I had to do a swap last week on a used car the customer wouldn’t take it because they said it was too noisy with the Cross Climate 2 so we swapped them out with other tires to make the sale. When I get tires for mine I’ll most likely get Uniroyal Tiger Paw I know you said no all season but they are amazing tires. I’ll most likely get those or BFGoodrich or something like that.
