LRR Snow Tires

[99LeCouch]

I'm looking for a set of LRR snow tires for my Cruze Eco. Size is 215/60-16. They'd be on different rims than the 17" OEM rims. Likely I'll go full monte with TPMS sensors to keep the abilities to turn traction control off when needed, and to check tire pressures from the dashboard (it's within 1-2 PSI of my suite of tire gauges). No freezing fingers when checking tire pressures is most excellent!

I've read inconsistent reviews about the Michelin X-Ice XI-2, and very good things about the Nokian R. What other tires should I be looking at?

[Vekke]

Last years LRR winter tire winner and also previous was Michelin XI2, and that is what I would pick. Nokians are also a good choice. If you want real "winter" tyres you need nokian hakkapeliitta 7, they dont roll so good but grip is unbeliavable .

[99LeCouch]

I had a set of full-on winter tires (Gislaved Nordfrost 3's, aka General Altimax Arctics) that worked fantastically in the snow. They also murdered my fuel economy. This winter, I'm seeing if I can't have both excellent snow grip and not as much of a fuel economy hit.

If the Michelin XI-2's won the test, I'll take another look at them.

[Ryland]

I have x-ice tires and see less then a single mpg drop and the LRR x-ice tires are even better, the grip is also amazing, if you are on ice, you can grind in to the ice and I've only had issues with grip when I was also pushing snow in front of me.

[99LeCouch]

Hmm, looks like I'll be looking even harder at the XI2's.

[99LeCouch]

Well, I'm trying the Nokians. Just to be contrary. They claim to have the same compound all the way through so grip doesn't diminish as quickly as they wear. They're coming in on 16" wheels with TPMS sensors to make checking tire pressure a breeze. Push a button, and it checks the wheels for me with good accuracy.

My commute this fall will be out before the plows, so LRR might not get to play as much as sheer grip. We'll see if this was a good choice or not.

[99LeCouch]

Pictures:



Made in Russia, comrade! I'm trusting the Russians with my life. Not sure how they'll like supporting a US-made car!




And, the wheel up against the Cruze to show how they will look:


This combination of Nokian R snow tires and 16" Rage A5 wheels weighs 41 lbs. The OEM combination weighs 39 lbs, so the weight gain is only 8 lbs total.

I'll look forward to seeing these in action.