Recommend a 17” snow tire for my RAV4?

[edyvw]

Well, I'll show you what we deal with. I know it's not as bad as colorado with thirty inches annually. Seven feet of snow in eighty four hours. No snow ploughs. BeCause , as you know , there is no slow plow in the united states that can handle this kind of snow removal. Takes weeks to remove it due to every road has to be cleared with a loader and t 10 trucks. So many times for days we are driving on top of 3 to 5 feet of packed snow. Wow

View attachment 310689

I lived in SoCal and I still have a place there. You get that once in 10 years, same as I got 8ft of it in 2019. If that area got that much snow on a regular basis, I would live there. But there is a reason why I live here.
And it does not matter. You are not going through it in a Subaru, BMW, Audi, F350, or 18-wheeler.
And STILL, does not have anything to do with what I said.

 

[NOTEVIL81]

Absolutely false information your stating. Averages eighty four inches. This happens every other year. As you Stated, you lived in southern California. You did not live in lake arrow head. And yes , it can be made through that's why I have a tracked bobcat. Doesn't dismiss that we have no idea how to drive in heavy snow. We just bumpkins with too much money.

 

[edyvw]

Absolutely false information your stating. Averages eighty four inches. This happens every other year. As you Stated, you lived in southern California.You did not live in lake arrow head. And yes , it can be made through that's why I have a tracked bobcat. Doesn't dismiss that we have no idea how to drive in heavy snow. We just bumpkins with too much money.

OK, you follow Bobcat, and AGAIN, what does that have to do with my original reply to you?

 

[NOTEVIL81]

I lived in SoCal and I still have a place there. You get that once in 10 years, same as I got 8ft of it in 2019. If that area got that much snow on a regular basis, I would live there. But there is a reason why I live here.
And it does not matter. You are not going through it in a Subaru, BMW, Audi, F350, or 18-wheeler.
And STILL, does not have anything to do with what I said.

Can I ask? What does owning a home in southern California? Have anything to know about the driving conditions and the snow conditions in lake arrowhead.

 

[edyvw]

Can I ask? What does owning a home in southern California? Have anything to know about the driving conditions and the snow conditions in lake arrowhead.

I am very familiar with that area, Big Bear, and Lake Arrowhead.
Again, still does not have anything to do with my reply to you.

 

[NOTEVIL81]

I guess you're correct it has nothing to do with your reply. I merely made the statement that wild peaks are popular here on all wheel drive vehicles. But you state you have greater expertise and they are crap. I realize your annual snowfall is less than we receive in one day. You own a home in southern california. So greater expertise to you. You ski twice a week good point. You drop a gear and smash when subarus and jeeps are behind you. Sure not possible here. Unless you're jumping the vehicles. No reason to talk juvenile. Have a good night.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

(1) I don’t know if 16” wheels will fit over the brake calipers.
(2) I bought a set of 17” wheels yesterday.
(3) Tires that spend half the year out of the sun last a lot longer than 6 years, especially when they are never driven at highway speeds. Or at least that’s my experience. I would hope to get a decade of use, subject to inspection of course.

The stock size probably has more options than any other size that those wheels/the car will fit

Also, Michelin won't last a decade due to dry rotting

 

[edyvw]

I guess you're correct it has nothing to do with your reply. I merely made the statement that wild peaks are popular here on all wheel drive vehicles. But you state you have greater expertise and they are crap. I realize your annual snowfall is less than we receive in one day. You own a home in southern california. So greater expertise to you. You ski twice a week good point. You drop a gear and smash when subarus and jeeps are behind you. Sure not possible here. Unless you're jumping the vehicles. No reason to talk juvenile. Have a good night.

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They are very popular here too. They are crap in the snow.

 

[edyvw]

(1) I don’t know if 16” wheels will fit over the brake calipers.
(2) I bought a set of 17” wheels yesterday.
(3) Tires that spend half the year out of the sun last a lot longer than 6 years, especially when they are never driven at highway speeds. Or at least that’s my experience. I would hope to get a decade of use, subject to inspection of course.

I am sorry, what?
1. Tires should be replaced every 6 years, at most.
2. How exactly will you inspect potential issues inside the tire?

Winter tires see a pretty good decline in performance around the 5-6-year mark. There is no going around that.

 

[Elkins45]

1. Tires should be replaced every 6 years, at most.

Do you have a definitive source on that? I've never seen any sort of authoritative citation that supports this.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Do you have a definitive source on that? I've never seen any sort of authoritative citation that supports this.

Michelin says 10 years max but have them professionally inspected yearly after 5 years. https://www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/tire-buying-guide/when-do-i-need-new-tires. Continental says the same.

That said my experience like @edyvw is after 5-6 years the rubber gets hard and a lot less effective. You will also be a lot warmer use so may add to that. Winter tires have wear bars at 6/32" that below that are much less affective in snow. Like the Conti DWS-06+. The "S" is gone at 6/32", "W" I think around 4/32".

Michelin X-Ice Snow only one I know of that has a treadwear warranty. Rides and performs a lot like all season but very good snow/ice.

I just put a set of X-ice Snow on rims for my sons car living in Virginia but travelling to upstate NY. Pilot has new VikingContact 8, Daughter is on VikingContact 7.

Costco great for the Michelin as they include mounting/balance/rotation/flats and a 5 year road hazard warranty.

Conti if you open and use the Continental Credit Card does good rebates. I just got $200 back on the VC8's.

If you have Discount Tire by you, many recommend them especially for their customer service. They price match if you find cheaper, include rotations and flat repair and top offs just by driving there. Road hazard requires you to buy the certificates from what I read.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Something to consider, I know you said not interested in All-Weather. Nokian has been doing All-Weather since before it was a category. My old WR versions were excellent on my Corolla. Better than all the trucks and SUV’s that actually did have snow tires around me and that was when we used to get good snow. If you look at the new Remedy WRG5 you’ll see that it has basically winter tire level zigzag siping.

I believe Walmart has the prior WRG4 listed as Nordman 4. These would be less expensive and provide easier replacement cost justification in 5 years. They might have Nordman 5 by then which would be those listed above.

I would stick to stock size and not worry about changing to narrower.

 

[krzyss]

With 8ft of snow in a few days the tires do not matter. One is not going anywhere.
Snowcat, ratrak, snowmobile - (very) wide tracks for low ground pressure - is the only usable vehicle.

Krzyś

PS VC8 is the newest winter tire from 1st tire manufacturer. Usually that means it is the best until competition releases newer model.

 

[edyvw]

Do you have a definitive source on that? I've never seen any sort of authoritative citation that supports this.

Some manufacturers recommend 5-6, some 10yrs.
You should figure out what that means when manufacturers stretch that recommendation.
In addition, performance degrades over time, and it is especially emphasized in snow tires in ice and snow performance.
I run three sets of snows. On my Toyota and BMW, they will never reach 4yrs mark just bcs. miles I rack up. But on wife’s VW 5year is limit.
Tire s the MOST important safety item on your car. Treat it with respect.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

With 8ft of snow in a few days the tires do not matter. One is not going anywhere.
Snowcat, ratrak, snowmobile - (very) wide tracks for low ground pressure - is the only usable vehicle.

Krzyś

PS VC8 is the newest winter tire from 1st tire manufacturer. Usually that means it is the best until competition releases newer model.

True but discussion wandered. OP is looking for recommendations for Kentucky, not Truckee, CA, Eisenhower Tunnel or Vail Pass.

 

[krzyss]

Kentucky - which area. They have real mountains there too.

I would stick with OE size tire too, if the 17" rims are already procured.
While narrower works better in wet or slush (standing water, hydroplaning resistance) and may dig to pavement easier (if there is pavement to be reached - not with 8' of snow) they usually suffer in dry and ice.

Which winter tires are available in your size, OP?

Krzyś

PS Usually top tier manufacturer winter tires provide balanced performance. While very good or even excellent in snow or ice they do not fall flat (or rather slide all over) in the wet. They usually provide reasonable performance down to wear bars (snow wear bars ~6/32 not legal ones at 2/32). The other manufacturers usually provide less balanced, faster wearing tires. The worst ones have very narrow, focused performance (like excellent snow) but are terrible to dangerous in others (usually wet for winter tires).
Pick your poison.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I’ve had good experiences with Cooper tires in the past.

Walmart has your back with Black Friday sale things. Don't wait too long. I still like the Michelin or Continental but at 1/2 the price.....

Watch the Tire Rack video.

 

[IndyIan]

I was never really impressed with my Subaru on the road driving in the snow. I took the set of snow tires off of my Forester, put them on my Grand Marquis and it's immensely more stable in the snow than the Subaru was. I think it's the extra weight more than anything.

But I'm all about snow tires in the snow ...

Too much rear toe in/camber, my parents Forester has way too much as well. If you run over some choppy pavement on only one side of the car, if the backend moves towards the bumpy side, you are feeling the amount of toe/camber pushing that way without the other side to counter-act it. Works great to make the car handle nice on dry pavement, but makes things squirrelly in variable or low grip conditions.
Our Outback came with all 4 tires amazingly pointed mostly down the road and it is nice in the snow, but you do feel a tiny delay in the rear tire loading up, with a quick turn-in on dry pavement. My Focus wagon was scary in the snow/ice until I had the rear alignment set to very minimal toe in. Then it was quite nice and as good as the Outback as I could run 185 width tires.

For the OP,
See if you can get a local price on GT Radial IcePro SUV3. We got a set last winter in 225/65R17 and they were $100 less per tire than the premium brands, and CR reports testing has it at the top of the class, beating all but one tire. We liked ours for the first winter, no complaints at all, and matched the X-ice, and blizzaks I've had in the snow, and wet grip was great, noise is about average for a premium ice tire. I do see now that CR has some negative reviews from a buyers, but I'm not sure for what.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Too much rear toe in/camber, my parents Forester has way too much as well. If you run over some choppy pavement on only one side of the car, if the backend moves towards the bumpy side, you are feeling the amount of toe/camber pushing that way without the other side to counter-act it. Works great to make the car handle nice on dry pavement, but makes things squirrelly in variable or low grip conditions.
Our Outback came with all 4 tires amazingly pointed mostly down the road and it is nice in the snow, but you do feel a tiny delay in the rear tire loading up, with a quick turn-in on dry pavement. My Focus wagon was scary in the snow/ice until I had the rear alignment set to very minimal toe in. Then it was quite nice and as good as the Outback as I could run 185 width tires.

For the OP,
See if you can get a local price on GT Radial IcePro SUV3. We got a set last winter in 225/65R17 and they were $100 less per tire than the premium brands, and CR reports testing has it at the top of the class, beating all but one tire. We liked ours for the first winter, no complaints at all, and matched the X-ice, and blizzaks I've had in the snow, and wet grip was great, noise is about average for a premium ice tire. I do see now that CR has some negative reviews from a buyers, but I'm not sure for what.

Toe may have been an issue on the Forester. Best I can describe it as the car would get nervous if I was on the highway and there was snow. The back always seemed to want to dance around and I was afraid of losing it and ending up in the weeds. The mercury can go 65-70 on the highway in snow and it's just planted.

I had rear toe issues on my Focus too. It burnt the rear tires off in like 20K miles. I ended up loading the trunk up with a bunch of stuff to toe it out even more, brought it in for an alignment and they set it to the minimum toe-out ... those have toe out as part of the alignment. After that, I took everything out and never had an issue with it eating the rear tires.

 

[andrew_j]

Is ice common especially pooling water on it? That is the worst condition vs snow by a long shot. If you have poor road treatment for ice (salters/sanders) because the only winter tires that actually work on that have studs or chains. The stud less stuff has advanced but not the best on it.

Packed or loose snow is easier for any type of tires including decent in snow all-seasons.