Low-Ish Rolling Resistance Snow Tires

[Miller88]

I searched and didn't find anything, so going to make a topic about it.

I just put GT Radial Champiro Icepro tires on the Focus. Because I wanted to get rid of the studded Firestone Winterforce I was running (kept digging up parking lots) and they were only $38.25 a piece, shipped.

The first thing I noticed is the low rolling resistance of these tires! My "summer" tires are Cooper Lifeline GLS all seasons. Here in Upstate NY, all season tires don't go so well in the snow and touring tires are a complete no.

I put these on and I was surprised at just how LOW the rolling resistance is. We had some cold temps over the weekend, and "normal" temps this week - I am surprised that my gas mileage has gone up. They roll quite well, too. I have had to start letting off the gas earlier on the Interstate and even rolling up to stop lights. They aren't inflated high, either. Right to 40 front, 32 rear.

These are a HUGE improvement in RR over the studded Winterforce. I went from no-higher than 32 in commuting to 35 in commuting. And I won't be digging up parking lots! Someone else will.

What other low-ish rolling resistance snow tires are there? I believe the Michelin X-Ice line is pretty low rolling resistance.

[MetroMPG]

Nokian Hakka R's are supposedly the bees knees for LRR.

So much so that this CRX had them on during the summer to win an economy competition.

Some Nokian winters have an "ULTRA LOW rolling resistance" stamp on the sidewall.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Nokian Hakka R's are supposedly the bees knees for LRR.

So much so that this CRX had them on during the summer to win an economy competition.

Some Nokian winters have an "ULTRA LOW rolling resistance" stamp on the sidewall.

I saw this thread title and was going to post that very thing.

I'm running a set of Nokian Nordman 5's on my Insight because the Hakkapeliittas are not (yet?) available in 165/65/14. As I understand it, Nordmans are the older Hakkapeliitta tires rebranded. On a level stretch at 50mph in clear weather with temperatures around freezing, I'm getting 85-90mpg (vs ~100mpg with RE92's) on brand new (not yet broken in) winter tires.

My impression has been that, as far as winter tires go, Nokian generally leads the pack in most metrics.

[Miller88]

Nokians make the best snow tires, IMO!

I was going to get a set, but saving $400 by going with the chesp ones ... really couldn't go wrong there!

[NeilBlanchard]

The Nokian Hakka R2's are a bit better on rolling resistance than the Hakka R's.

[star_deceiver]

My studded Hakka 8's (265-70-17) have LRR on the sidewall. Fuelly tracked per tank mileage has dropped max 1 mpg but it's better than last year with the studded Winterforce.

[Miller88]

Well, now I am a bit worried about how these GT Radial snow tires are going to do in the snow. They are quite quiet. I got 40MPG round trip to my parents - which is generally a summer only thing.

I just gave my two remaining ones away. They had bad belts. They are going to a friend's $375 Neon Peon project car for winter.

Pretty sure those doubled the value.

[Ryland]

I have a set off old Michelin x-ice snow tires and my mileage stays the same as my summer lrr tires, the newer x-ice green line are supposed to be even better.
Silica in the rubber is supposed to be one of the key things to look for.

[Miller88]

I could have got the X-Ice pretty cheap but always heard they aren't the best in deep snow. We're more snow country than ice country here.

[GearheadTool]

Originally Posted by Miller88

I could have got the X-Ice pretty cheap but always heard they aren't the best in deep snow. We're more snow country than ice country here.

Miller88! How is BITOG going?