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I live in Edmonton. Do you find an excess of snow build up in the wheel wells using the 20”?
I would prefer the 20” I’m just wondering why downsize? From your picture it seems that there is plenty of room.
Typically winter tour downsizing is for:
1- taller sidewall to allow for snow, pot holes and occasional curb contrast if hidden under snow
2- narrower tire width for more snow/ice traction
3- price. 18's are cheaper than 20's
I live in Edmonton. Do you find an excess of snow build up in the wheel wells using the 20”?
I would prefer the 20” I’m just wondering why downsize? From your picture it seems that there is plenty of room.
I didn't have any issues with snow building up, I am running the stock 20" tire size. I had a set of OEM 20" wheels because my previous 2016 RX350 was totaled while it had 18" aftermarket wheels on it with winter tires. Those were 245/60R18 which are really close overall diameter as the stock tires. When I got my replacement RX350, I had the tire shop dismount the old all seasons and got the winter tires mounted. Added bonus is that I had TMPS sensors in them already too.
I live on a gravel road and have had no issues with potholes and 20" tires.
New poster here ... just bought a CPO 2017 450h ... came with standard new dealer tires (less tread?) ... live in Vancouver, Canada, but I still want winter tires for skiing ... Costco Canada ONLY offers Bridgestone Blizzak (Consumer Reports give it a thumbs up) ... wondering what other options exist and/or what other people are doing?
NB: Dealer they would match Costco price for tires but not to TPMS, installation, etc., so aiming to do via Costco.
What do you guys recommend for Toronto winters? To give you an idea, imagine slush, a few days of heavy snow, occasional black ice and LOTS of salt. Not looking to buy the best of the best here, just looking for a solid, reliable performer with good value.
I've heard a lot of good things about Nokian, Michelin X3 and Blizzaks, thoughts?
What do you guys recommend for Toronto winters? To give you an idea, imagine slush, a few days of heavy snow, occasional black ice and LOTS of salt. Not looking to buy the best of the best here, just looking for a solid, reliable performer with good value.
I've heard a lot of good things about Nokian, Michelin X3 and Blizzaks, thoughts?
The biggest concern in our winter is ice or ice-like packed snow at stop signs and that greasy, salt-melted slush. Nothing compares to the Blizzaks on those surfaces. For rural driving on snow pack or blowing snow, there are slightly better options, but for SW Ontario city driving you can't go wrong with the Blizzak. The only downside to them is that the do wear quickly on the highway in warmer weather.
What do you guys recommend for Toronto winters? To give you an idea, imagine slush, a few days of heavy snow, occasional black ice and LOTS of salt. Not looking to buy the best of the best here, just looking for a solid, reliable performer with good value.
I've heard a lot of good things about Nokian, Michelin X3 and Blizzaks, thoughts?
All the ones you've mentioned are top tier tires, there are cheaper ones, but tire & brakes are where I'd spend top $ as my life depends on them.
What I'd suggest, if you drive about 15,000 Km a year are "All Weather tires" I've had them on my Subaru (Nokian) and now on my Lexus (Toyo Celcius).
For the weather we have in the GTA they do exceptionally well and you don't need xtra rims and the yearly cost of R&R.
Here’s one to consider that I hadn’t heard about ...
I never had either. Out of curiosity I went to Goodyear's website and clicked on "winter tires". (I had previously entered my make and model and via the cookies it remembers). It it informed me that Goodyear has no winter tires that will fit my car.
I never had either. Out of curiosity I went to Goodyear's website and clicked on "winter tires". (I had previously entered my make and model and via the cookies it remembers). It it informed me that Goodyear has no winter tires that will fit my car.
Thats the main problem with Toyota vehicles. They pic weird sizes that few other manufacturers use. Perhaps this will help you narrow down a tire:
Bridgestone basically created the "winter" tire category in 1993 with the Blizzak. Before that it was "snow" tires that were designed for hard-pack and blowing snow, but awful on ice. I bought my first set in '94 after totalling a new car on black ice. Over the years I've fallen for buying the "new best winter tire" a few times, but none have performed like the Blizzaks for SW Ontario city driving.
I don't care what tires cost, I want the smoothest, quietest tire for summer, and the best tire for ice in the winter.
Thats the main problem with Toyota vehicles. They pic weird sizes that few other manufacturers use. Perhaps this will help you narrow down a tire:
Also look at Consumer Reports tire tests.
No, I'm fine, thanks. I bought a set of Goodyear Assurance Maxlife tires last month -- southwest Ohio doesn't get that many terrible snow days in winter, and I'm retired and can choose whether to drive or not, so ....
I do remember well having two sets of tires for my 1975 Dodge pickup truck though -- and a frame in the bed to put the winter sandbags in so I could have a little traction.
Bridgestone basically created the "winter" tire category in 1993 with the Blizzak. Before that it was "snow" tires that were designed for hard-pack and blowing snow, but awful on ice. I bought my first set in '94 after totalling a new car on black ice. Over the years I've fallen for buying the "new best winter tire" a few times, but none have performed like the Blizzaks for SW Ontario city driving.
I don't care what tires cost, I want the smoothest, quietest tire for summer, and the best tire for ice in the winter.
I had Blizzaks on a FWD sedan several years ago and they are incredible for snow traction.
07-06-20, 06:03 PM
