Michelin X-Ice XI-3 - pretty good!

[sciphi]

Yesterday we had a great chance to put the Michelin X-Ice XI-3 snow tires on our Fit to the test going to a medical appointment. We had about 16" of snow fall in about 18 hours, so the roads were a mess. First was getting down our street, which had about 12" of tracked but unplowed snow on it when we set off. The car basically scooted down the street on its belly. Once we got onto the main roads with about 5" of packed-down slush, the going was a bit easier. The tires let the car keep its line, along with stopping without drama. I wasn't sure that this tire would do okay in the deep snow. Glad to see it did.

Coming back some hours later on more plowed roads, the car was entirely predictable. The XI-3's were fairly communicative in how much grip there was. Most importantly for this car, they controlled its tendency to oversteer in snowy weather.

Overall, I see why so many people like these tires. They really do work in all winter conditions.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Yesterday was a good test for slush, that's for sure.

 

[LotI]

People look at the tread and assume it's terrible in deep snow. You can't judge a book by it's cover and you can't judge a tire by it's tread design.

Every test I've seen shows the Xi3 to be at or near the top of snow traction. Ice braking is where it shines.

 

[typ901]

Agreed. They do a good job of maintaining traction for me as well for the past 3 seasons.

 

[SHOZ]

I like them but they are a bit noisy.

 

[Rolla07]

Originally Posted By: LotI
People look at the tread and assume it's terrible in deep snow. You can't judge a book by it's cover and you can't judge a tire by it's tread design.

Every test I've seen shows the Xi3 to be at or near the top of snow traction. Ice braking is where it shines.


Ice braking?! No tires are great on ice unless studded or chained.

 

[SHOZ]

The Xi-3 is considerably better at braking on ice compared to an all season tire. Personally there is not enough snow or need for me to consider a studded tire. Might as well use chains.

 

[rslifkin]

Yesterday morning was certainly a mess. The Jeep pushed right through the rutted slushy [censored] with the Hakkas on, but even on the best of the roads (including 390), top speed was somewhere around 35 - 40, the ruts were just too bad to maintain good directional control above that.

Once I got away from the traffic a bit and was on somewhat more empty roads, the drive wasn't bad at all. I may have even had a little fun with it

As far as braking on ice, studs make the biggest difference when the ice is wet and near-freezing. The colder it gets, the smaller the benefit of studs compared to a good studless winter tire.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: LotI
People look at the tread and assume it's terrible in deep snow. You can't judge a book by it's cover and you can't judge a tire by it's tread design.

Every test I've seen shows the Xi3 to be at or near the top of snow traction. Ice braking is where it shines.


You've got that one right! Despite everything, I was a bit skeptical too. So glad to see I was wrong!

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The Xi-3 is considerably better at braking on ice compared to an all season tire. Personally there is not enough snow or need for me to consider a studded tire. Might as well use chains.

The worst winter tire is better then best A/S tire in winter conditions, including dry when temperature is below 45 degrees!

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The Xi-3 is considerably better at braking on ice compared to an all season tire. Personally there is not enough snow or need for me to consider a studded tire. Might as well use chains.

The worst winter tire is better then best A/S tire in winter conditions, including dry when temperature is below 45 degrees!
Of course they are. But if one has not used the xi-3s on ice how would they know. This is my 4th set of Michelin winter tires and the best set so far.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The Xi-3 is considerably better at braking on ice compared to an all season tire. Personally there is not enough snow or need for me to consider a studded tire. Might as well use chains.

The worst winter tire is better then best A/S tire in winter conditions, including dry when temperature is below 45 degrees!
Of course they are. But if one has not used the xi-3s on ice how would they know. This is my 4th set of Michelin winter tires and the best set so far.

Of course, we are now getting into territory: I drive 30 years on A/S and was OK.
I mentioned here numerous times to people who think A/S is solution: driving 5mph on HWY does not make A/S tire good, especially if you have car with let's say Xi3 in front and driver need to make sudden stop. Next thing you know it is a pile up on HWY.
But, I have feeling it is easier to talk the wall into some sense then some drivers about winter tires.

 

[SHOZ]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: SHOZ
The Xi-3 is considerably better at braking on ice compared to an all season tire. Personally there is not enough snow or need for me to consider a studded tire. Might as well use chains.

The worst winter tire is better then best A/S tire in winter conditions, including dry when temperature is below 45 degrees!
Of course they are. But if one has not used the xi-3s on ice how would they know. This is my 4th set of Michelin winter tires and the best set so far.

Of course, we are now getting into territory: I drive 30 years on A/S and was OK.
I mentioned here numerous times to people who think A/S is solution: driving 5mph on HWY does not make A/S/ tire good, especially if you have car with let's say Xi3 in front and drivers need to make sudden stop. Next thing you know it is pile up on HWY.
But, I have feeling it is easier to talk the wall into some sense then some drivers about winter tires.
I prefer watching a 4wd suv try to keep up with my little Accent with the winter tires. Sometimes the come to a spinning stop in the ditch.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
I prefer watching a 4wd suv try to keep up with my little Accent with the winter tires. Sometimes the come to a spinning stop in the ditch.[/quote]

That was the scene yesterday around me. The crossovers on all-seasons were getting stuck while our little Fit was zipping past them. We had one person on all-seasons try to keep up. They got left behind at the next stoplight.

 

[GaleHawkins]

When test driving the Ford 500 last month with slick tires I stopped at the tire store I like (a hole in the wall but great prices) to see prices for 225 60R17. He said he had a deal for me on some new like snow tires. They are Arctic Claw Winter Txi's and he offered the set to me for $125 mounted and balanced. Since we were about to travel to MN for a trade show I said yes.

It snowed the first night I had them and my first FWD car. They are awesome together. Roar just a bit especially at low speed but man they start/stop the car great. At the age of 65 this is my first set of snow tires (live in west KY). I love them so much I am looking for another set of rims with or without all season tires.

The Fit is a great looking car too.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
That was the scene yesterday around me. The crossovers on all-seasons were getting stuck while our little Fit was zipping past them. We had one person on all-seasons try to keep up. They got left behind at the next stoplight.


Yeah, the vehicles I saw having the most trouble were crossovers and Chevy Cruzes (with the horrid stock tires on them).

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
Originally Posted By: sciphi
That was the scene yesterday around me. The crossovers on all-seasons were getting stuck while our little Fit was zipping past them. We had one person on all-seasons try to keep up. They got left behind at the next stoplight.


Yeah, the vehicles I saw having the most trouble were crossovers and Chevy Cruzes (with the horrid stock tires on them).


LOL, indeed! The OEM Goodyear tires on my Cruze can't handle anything more than two flakes. It almost went into the ditch a few years ago in a dusting of snow. That's why that car has a set of Nokians for winter driving. The Firestones or Michelins on other Cruze models aren't that much better from what I've heard.

I'm really tempted to stick with Nokian for the next set of tires for that car. Unless we get a really screaming deal on the XI-3's in 215/60-16.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
Originally Posted By: sciphi
That was the scene yesterday around me. The crossovers on all-seasons were getting stuck while our little Fit was zipping past them. We had one person on all-seasons try to keep up. They got left behind at the next stoplight.


Yeah, the vehicles I saw having the most trouble were crossovers and Chevy Cruzes (with the horrid stock tires on them).


LOL, indeed! The OEM Goodyear tires on my Cruze can't handle anything more than two flakes. It almost went into the ditch a few years ago in a dusting of snow. That's why that car has a set of Nokians for winter driving. The Firestones or Michelins on other Cruze models aren't that much better from what I've heard.

I'm really tempted to stick with Nokian for the next set of tires for that car. Unless we get a really screaming deal on the XI-3's in 215/60-16.

Corn based tires, to improve fuel efficiency.
Nokian's are much more capable in snow then Xi3. Do not get me wrong, Xi3 is really good winter tire, but it is made to be good in all conditions, from dry to snow. Nokians are for the worst weather, similar to Blizzak's but I would say even more tuned for deep snow, extremely low temperatures etc. Problem with tires like that is that in dry regardless of temperature they are bit mushy and slow to react on drivers input.
Now, if you do not drive through blizzards etc. Xi3 might be good choice.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: SHOZ
Originally Posted By: edyvw

Of course, we are now getting into territory: I drive 30 years on A/S and was OK.
I mentioned here numerous times to people who think A/S is solution: driving 5mph on HWY does not make A/S/ tire good, especially if you have car with let's say Xi3 in front and drivers need to make sudden stop. Next thing you know it is pile up on HWY.
But, I have feeling it is easier to talk the wall into some sense then some drivers about winter tires.
I prefer watching a 4wd suv try to keep up with my little Accent with the winter tires. Sometimes the come to a spinning stop in the ditch.


We had some crazy wind Saturday along with blowing snow. The high was -1, colder when you factor in wind chill. Too cold for salt to do anything and traffic was a mess. I passed a RAV-4 AWD that couldn't get up a hill in my Focus with snow tires

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
LOL, indeed! The OEM Goodyear tires on my Cruze can't handle anything more than two flakes. It almost went into the ditch a few years ago in a dusting of snow. That's why that car has a set of Nokians for winter driving. The Firestones or Michelins on other Cruze models aren't that much better from what I've heard.


I was picturing the Firestone FR710s the base model Cruzes come with. Those, along with the Goodyear Integrity, are probably some of the worst tires on the market. If I were buying a car that had them, it would be driven straight from the point of purchase to a tire shop, even if the tires were brand new.