Well, the time has now come to say goodbye to winter tires that I never dreamed would last this long. Seven years ago, Cooper Dicoverer stud capable tires were put on my CRV. And remarkably, they performed for seven winters. They were also left on for two summers during this seven year.period. (long story that included a trip down to Florida and back). And the mileage on these tires is somewhere between 75 and 80,000 KMs. Even more interesting is that they have no cracks or splits in them. Just some very minute crazing on the outer sidewall. (inspected by two tire dealers and given the OK for safety. Granted, they’re not quite as soft and grippy as they were when they were new and they were never quiet tires or soft riding to begin with.
All of this, of course begs the question as to why I’m not going back with these. I checked a year ago and I believe they were still offered by Cooper although they may have been replaced since then with an updated series. The reason I’m not going back with these is because I’m not going back with winter tires at all. Here in Southern Ontario, we live in an urban area where the roads are ploughed and salted with incredible precision and consistency. And so the tires going on the CRV this week are the same as those that I put on the LeSabre last fall. They are Michelin cross climate 2’s, which have been impressive not only in the winter conditions that we have here in this area, but also as an all season year-round tire. (both sets were purchased through Costco.) Now, if I lived in a remote area where ploughing is not as disciplined, I believe a dedicated winter tire would still make sense. But for my needs here, this new category of all weather tires has now made it possible for me to give up the winter wheels and the semi annual ritual of having to swap from all seasons to winter tires. But I have to say, for anyone who needs winter tires, these Cooper lasted longer than any other snow tires I’ve ever seen. Took this photo right before they were removed and sent into tire recycling heaven.
All of this, of course begs the question as to why I’m not going back with these. I checked a year ago and I believe they were still offered by Cooper although they may have been replaced since then with an updated series. The reason I’m not going back with these is because I’m not going back with winter tires at all. Here in Southern Ontario, we live in an urban area where the roads are ploughed and salted with incredible precision and consistency. And so the tires going on the CRV this week are the same as those that I put on the LeSabre last fall. They are Michelin cross climate 2’s, which have been impressive not only in the winter conditions that we have here in this area, but also as an all season year-round tire. (both sets were purchased through Costco.) Now, if I lived in a remote area where ploughing is not as disciplined, I believe a dedicated winter tire would still make sense. But for my needs here, this new category of all weather tires has now made it possible for me to give up the winter wheels and the semi annual ritual of having to swap from all seasons to winter tires. But I have to say, for anyone who needs winter tires, these Cooper lasted longer than any other snow tires I’ve ever seen. Took this photo right before they were removed and sent into tire recycling heaven.
