Nokian R5 winter tires, what is your experience?

[Just a civilian pilot]

Just back home from work.

Not sure what brand of tires going on the car tomorrow.

Wife was talking with the cop in charge of that operation today. It’s obvious that they were willing to let other cars run over that thing in order to get that driver.

Officer said he isn’t a fan of using it because it can be dangerous the way it damages tires but the OPP ( police ) try to avoid high speed pursuits when possible he said.

Auto theft ring they were after driving stolen cars from Ottawa to Montreal to ship overseas.

They got him.

so long.

 

[Ranger83]

///

Auto theft ring they were after driving stolen cars from Ottawa to Montreal to ship overseas.

They got him.

so long.

A friend of mine drove his Toyota truck up to Montreal for a business visit - easy drive from New England. The business told him “Don’t park it near the port or it won’t be there when you return.”

Came out of the meeting three hours later - gone. Police said “probably already on a ship.”

 

[Bjornviken]

Nokian R5 is the top rated winter tire in Consumer Reports testing. Despite that, we selected Michelin X-Ice Snow because of the longer life, and they are almost rated as good as the R5s We also have CC2s for 3 season use on our '13 Outback. We live in Northern Michigan with gently rolling hills and around 150" of wet snow a year. We get slushy and icy conditions frequently in the fall and spring too. We do the changeover in November and go back to the CC2's in March, which are a lot better suited to slush and wet than pure winter tires.

Overall, unless you live in an area with extremely deep snow (we rarely get over 1' before the roads are cleared, and usually by 3-4"), I'd consider forgoing winter tires and just getting sticking with CC2s year round. The big advantage of the CC2s is if you travel in varied conditions (like we do on trips south when we experience snow and rain) they handle with confidence. Pure winter tires don't stop as well in rain on on dry roads.

That's correct, they don't like temperatures above 5C

 

[Bjornviken]

The XIce Snow's domination on ice is why I go for those tires. I have AWD plus a locker so snow is never a problem but stopping on ice absolutely is.

Yep, agree it's the main enemy. I have also big respect for the ice when driving...or walking

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Just back home from work.

Not sure what brand of tires going on the car tomorrow.

Wife was talking with the cop in charge of that operation today. It’s obvious that they were willing to let other cars run over that thing in order to get that driver.

Officer said he isn’t a fan of using it because it can be dangerous the way it damages tires but the OPP ( police ) try to avoid high speed pursuits when possible he said.

Auto theft ring they were after driving stolen cars from Ottawa to Montreal to ship overseas.

They got him.

so long.

Good that they got him.

Not sure of what brand because you are deciding on a different version or they are just getting whatever? Shouldn't be much conversation to replace like for like unless they are balking at the cost because they were worn etc.

If you want something different with similar cost then OK but shouldn't be for them to decide.

 

[Ranger83]

Our place in NH got 6” of snow, forecast is temps in 20’s and 30’s, and snow forecast next week so mounted the R5’s.

Here’s the difference with the Nokian One A/S.

Nokian molds in wear bars on the Hakkapeliitta calibrated in mm. Some European countries don’t consider them to be snow tires with less than 4mm (about 5/32nd) tread depth. Although we have a tread depth gage, it’s useful.

Don’t have anything to check durometer, which would be interesting info.

They are mounted on BBS forged wheels, very strong and weigh less than 16 lbs. Stock Subaru cast wheels weigh 22-24 lbs.

Haven’t driven in snow or rain yet, but my initial observation is they are a little quieter than R3’s.

 

[Ranger83]

Dupe

 

[Ranger83]

8-10” of snow in NH so got a slight workout. Temp is around freezing so nothing difficult. Top of our driveway is usually the biggest challenge.

 

[Ranger83]

We got 3” of rain throughout the region this week so had a chance to drive them in heavy rain. They seem less “squishy” in the wet than R3’s or the Altima’s Arctic 12’s. But that may be recency bias.

 

[Ranger83]

Have to look at the R5’s but put on my daughter’s R3’s today and found this molded-in “Easter Egg.”

The three peak symbol molded into the leading edge of the tread…

..

 

[martinq]

I had Hakka's in the past but this is my second time getting Michelin winters (X-Ice Snow), picked them up this weekend. This time the Hakka's were $100+ more and I was already over budget.

So far they look great, Made in Canada, DOT (3024). How concerned would you be if one of the wheels had no weights on it?!?

 

[edyvw]

I had Hakka's in the past but this is my second time getting Michelin winters (X-Ice Snow), picked them up this weekend. This time the Hakka's were $100+ more and I was already over budget.

So far they look great, Made in Canada, DOT (3024). How concerned would you be if one of the wheels had no weights on it?!?

It happened to me with Michelin PSS. It was just balanced. If you don’t have any indication on steering wheel or otherwise that it is oit of balance, drive happily.

 

[martinq]

Okay, apparently I did not understand HOW to buy tires at Canadian Tire as they, "do not guarantee DOT dates".

Was in the middle of installing my "fresh new", mounted, tires and noticed one looked different. :/

The other tires have DOT of:
3024
3024
2924

They assured me there was nothing I could do about it and that everything is fine.

After assuring THEM I was not leaving until discussing the matter with the manager, in person, they agreed to swap it out.

So apparently you need to buy the tires FIRST, then inspect, then ask to have them mounted, then inspect, THEN install them. Wow. I missed a few steps there.

 

[Hockey]

Hi, I am new to this forum and want to ask an "impossible question". I live in Europe (now in the UK but from VT) and been running Hakka's for 40+ years on all my Land Cruisers. I am heading to the Arctic in 3 weeks (3500km from London) and my current Hakka's are tread fine but 15 years old so want to change. After Nokian shut its factory in Russia (Ukraine war)-- very hard to source their tires in Europe. Now the question-- we all appreciate the excellent snow/ice functions of Hakka- truly IMHO second to none, but I have 15 hours+ each way I drive on autobahn, highway at around 60-70mph and temp can be 20F to 40F )-10C to +10C and usually damp/wet/ fog (god forbid). The Nokian Hakka R5 SUV here in Europe has a "Nordic compound" and as such designed for the colder weather. I am also acutely aware they don't stop great in the rain/ wet (been running my older ones here for past 2 months) and lots of rain in the UK. So any thoughts on the best compromise -- one of my son's I put on the Michelin Cross Climate 2 all season and they seem fine but not driven in snow (and are also rated as snow tire) and very affordable ($175 from Costco UK). And given the long distances I am driving in above typical "Nordic" temperature got me thinking best to consider alternative. When I lived in Switzerland for a long time this was a no-brainer, Hakka every time with lots of mountain driving and you only need to try to stop a Suburban or Land Cruiser on black ice going downhill loaded with kids to never ever not get the best. So Consumer Reports has very favorable review (not my go to for tire reviews generally) but the I8HMUD is a great spot for all things Land Cruiser generally. Since I have to make a compromise-- any views if this Michelin Cross Climate 2 is the 'best' (or sound) decision for a loaded 3mt Land Cruiser (4.2L turbo diesel 100 series). Many thanks, Ed

 

[Ranger83]

This is a common problem in Europe, where one might spend hours on the Autobahn before heading up into the Austrian Alps. Long ago, used to get on the A3 Autobahn and set my cruise control at 100mph to get to Garmisch in under three hours.

@Strumpan_ lives in Sweden and may have this experience.

Some manufacturers call them “Performance Winter” tires. Nokian has their “All Weather” line. Believe Michelin has the “Pilot Alpin” line for this purpose. Think the Winter Pirelli Sottozero 3 is another, and one of the Continental ContinWinterContact. Dunlop and Goodyear likely have entries as well.

You’ll have to scout around there as the models and availability are likely different.
This test didn’t show that Michelin as particularly capable.

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test - Tire reviews and ratings

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test

www.tire-reviews.com

They also tested UHP winters. Jonathan Benson, the site founder, lives in the UK. That site also allows you to search for reviews by tire size.

Best Performance Winter Tires 2025 - Tire reviews and ratings

Best Performance Winter Tires 2025

www.tire-reviews.com

 

[Hockey]

Hi Ranger,
I am from Burlington VT but living in Europe since 1980. The challenge is to find a tire that is fine on long distance driving (not at speed- big Land Cruisers like mine are best around 60-75mph max) in excess of 10 hours in a clip that is secure, safe and decent enough on wet but also good on snow and ice. This is a lot to ask especially for axle ratings of north of 110, ideally 116. Hence, my various Hakka's over the past 40 years have been fine and if I could find the R5 I would get them-- but since Nokian shuttered its factory in Russia finding Nokian tires is a nightmare (in Europe anyway with the possible exception in Germany). So that leaves what is the next best option? I have been looking at Bridgestone Blizzak VM3 but certainly open to suggestions. Part of the problem is my older Land Cruiser is running 18 inch wheels so the sizes are now limited with the migration to larger and larger wheels in later generation SUV's. For example, I am running 285/60/18 Hakka now but closest size to that is 265/65/18 in the R5 which I cannot secure delivery in the UK nor Copenhagen (yet). I also like the aramid strong sidewalls on Nokian-- confidence inspiring. Open to any and all idea.
Thank for the info and test results.

 

[Ranger83]

Although Nokian now has a U.S. factory, my R5’s were made in Finland.

 

[SubLGT]

.....Open to any and all idea.

Take a long look at the new-for-2024 Continental VikingContact 8. It is available in 265/60R18 - 114T and 275/65R18 - 116T.

Check out this thread below, especially on page 3, where I put in some links to the latest tests of this tire.

S

Thread 'New in 2024: Continental VikingContact 8 Studless Winter Tire'

Feb 10, 2024

Have not yet seen an official press release from Continental, with detailed information, but expect more info this month. It will have lower rolling resistance compared to the previous generation. It's arrival is good timing for me, I need to buy new winter tires later this year.

Tread design on the 8 is similar to the 7, but not identical.

New VikingContact 8:

VikingContact 7:

• SubLGT
• Replies: 58
• Forum: Tires & Wheels

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[SubLGT]

any views if this Michelin Cross Climate 2 is the 'best' .............

From the tests I have seen, the CC2 is decent on snow, mediocre on ice.

 

[Hockey]

I found a solution to source tires (R5 SUV) made in Finland that are fresh and in 40 years never been let down by Nokian Hakka's. I appreciate the comments here and tires are like life-- a compromise. I realize that wet and dry roads I won't have the best solution (no doubt the fine Michelin CC2 are better), however given I take it easy in the heavy Land Cruiser should not be a problem. And my personal experience is that by inflating the tires to near 40psi any stability issues are greatly mitigated and what was previously referred to as 'squishiness'. I never quite understand why OEM car mfg's recommended tires pressure are SO LOW. Yes, comfort I get but for me the higher tire pressure works just fine. Thanks all for your thoughts.