Snow tires for the AWD Taurus

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redhat

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I am looking for recommendations on winter tires for the Taurus. Will need 235/60/17.

What would do well on a heavy AWD sedan? Winterforce 2, Altimax Arctic, XIce?

Truth be told, I would prefer a tire that doesn't wear as fast as a Blizzak. They are great tires, however, man they wear.
 
I've been happy with Arctic on my 530i, especially considering the price. Being only Q-rated, they are soft and a bit mushy, but that is kind of to be expected if you want good snow capabilities in return. I think the newer Arctic is R-rated, isn't it?

Mine are now 9 years old and still have plenty of tread left, but I only put on maybe 2k miles every winter, if that. They lost some of their snow grip capabilities mainly due to age and rubber hardening over time, but that's to be expected from any winter tire.
 
*WinterForce are LOUD and I speak from experience but, are animals in the deep stuff. These are the winter tires that you can't wait to get rid of. The WinterForce 2 may be quieter, IDK!

*AltiMAX Arctic(now ArcticII) are a very nice winter tire and a good price and again, I speak from experience. And are wearing like iron since 2013, smooth, quiet & decent riding.

*X-ice (a.k.a. Xi3 or there about) are among the highest rated winter tires however, I have NO experience. But the reviews are great. In addition, what I have read about the X-ice is that they're more of the "highway" winter tire(IDK if I said that right) in regions where there is very good snow removal.
 
Nokian Nordman 7

I have a set for my awd Flex which is also heavy and these things are unstoppable. They were also $20 cheaper per tire than the Altimax Arctic 12 when I bought them last year at Discount Tire. My size is 235/60-18 and look like they are barely used, even after 3500 miles last winter. The "8" is still real strong which means well over 10/32" left of tread.
 
I absolutely love my Continental ExtremeWinterContacts. They are about 90% the traction of the better grade Blizzaks on pure ice and much, much better on snow, dry winter pavement, wet winter pavement, etc. or versus the budget Blizzaks. Nokians didn't wear as well as others I've run, and lost their ice traction before the tread had worn down past about half life. People who live in warm winter climates that don't see permanent snow / ice seem to like them though.

Been driving on dedicated ice radials since the late 80's (they were available in Canada before the US) and have tried Nokians, Blizzaks, and Cooper makes a great winter truck tire (LT-type), but no experience with P-type Coopers. Never tried Michelins.

The CONTIWINTERCONTACT TS830 P is the current equivalent (new tire for this season). For a Taurus I'd check out the SI's in 235/65/17 @ $133 each including shipping at TireRack.
 
Xice are good tires for 99% of winter driving, the only time you'd want a more aggressive treaded snow tire is in real deep stuff. Do you have to be out before the plows? Then a more open snow tire tread is probably better when you are dragging the bottom of the car down the street.
We get into some unplowed logging road/snow mobile trails for ice fishing and I still went with Xice2's for the Outback as they are a better tire for the other 99% of winter driving.
 
The longer the wear typically on a winter tire the worst its ice traction is. Those Blizzacks and comps (Mich X-ice) have wonderful ice traction but wear quicker.

That all being said worst winter tire is better then the best all-season tire in winter conditions.
 
Look at the new All Weather types of tires. Especially for an AWD vehicle. No need for short life snow tires IMO.

Goodyear WeatherReady
Nokian WRG3 or WRG4
Toyo Celsius
Vredestein Quatrac5
 
I used the Original Michelin Arctic Alpin on my Taurus SHO and the thing might as well have been a snow plow. On my Accent I had some Xice2s and could not wear them out even leaving them on all summer. Currently using Xice3s. They are good for 4 winters at least.
 
I love the Hankook snows. Didn't have great experiences with Yokohama or Michelin, but I'm not basing that off their most current offerings.
 
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
what I have read about the X-ice is that they're more of the "highway" winter tire(IDK if I said that right) in regions where there is very good snow removal.

What I've heard and read is that the X-Ice xi3 is best-in class for dry, wet, and ice, but there are a couple of other tires that are better for deep snow and slush (e.g. Blizzak WS-80). HT edyvw for that, mainly.
 
Nokian Hakka R2 or R3, or the Dunlop Winter Maxx

Nokian recently replaced with R2 with the R3. The R3 is probably better, but if you can get an R2 on clearance at a good price, that would work too.
 
Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Look at the new All Weather types of tires. Especially for an AWD vehicle. No need for short life snow tires IMO.

Goodyear WeatherReady
Nokian WRG3 or WRG4
Toyo Celsius
Vredestein Quatrac5


beyond absurd
 
Originally Posted By: redhat
I am looking for recommendations on winter tires for the Taurus. Will need 235/60/17.

What would do well on a heavy AWD sedan? Winterforce 2, Altimax Arctic, XIce?

Truth be told, I would prefer a tire that doesn't wear as fast as a Blizzak. They are great tires, however, man they wear.


They wear more quickly because they're soft and they work. What's your life worth?
 
I've had the Nokian WR G3. They work well. Not as good as a top of the line studless in snow and ice, but they work better in areas of more variable weather conditions. During a warm winter, the more stable tread blocks grip the warmer road better for better handling.

It's all about tradeoffs when you buy a tire.
 
Originally Posted By: funkymonkey1111
Originally Posted By: Brigadier
Look at the new All Weather types of tires. Especially for an AWD vehicle. No need for short life snow tires IMO.

Goodyear WeatherReady
Nokian WRG3 or WRG4
Toyo Celsius
Vredestein Quatrac5


beyond absurd


Only to the uneducated.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: funkymonkey1111
Originally Posted By: redhat
I am looking for recommendations on winter tires for the Taurus. Will need 235/60/17.

What would do well on a heavy AWD sedan? Winterforce 2, Altimax Arctic, XIce?

Truth be told, I would prefer a tire that doesn't wear as fast as a Blizzak. They are great tires, however, man they wear.


They wear more quickly because they're soft and they work. What's your life worth?


About $3.50
 
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