Tires need to comply with the basic norms anyway so which company you use isn't really a big problem, just use the same kind of tires on all 4 wheels.
And if you really want to know if your tires are really good, just go on a website specialized in cars, there is a higher probability that they know stuff about winter tires.
I forgot the name of the manufacturer of the tires I use, all I know is that it isn't a "big" manufacturer, and you know what, they do their job, and the car survived a bunch of winters with them.
Heck, I even use them all year long as they offer more grip on asphalt than the 4-season tires that came with the car. But let say it like this, 155-80R13 are pretty darn cheap, else I wouldn't do it due to replacement cost.
One recommendation though, but steel rims and mount your winter tires on them, so after that, you can change them at home for free.
Also, if your car model has different OEM rim size, always use the smallest for your winter wheels.
This way both the rim and the tires will be cheaper
2007 Cobalt SS-SC and I use Hankook w409 iPikes. Aggressive tread, unidirectional, and they've lasted me 3 winters so far and I'm going to use them again this year.
My stock rims are 215/45R18 but I went with a 205/60R16 for the winters and that leaves about 1/2 in between the rim and caliper.
Michelin here. I am using them for 5 years now, and for the last 3, I forgot to remove them in the summer lol. Still, they are doing fine. Some nice tires if you ask me. Model? I dunno, never been interested much in cars.
Well, where I live and work in Red-Neck Land at times, we have winters that come kinda close up in parts of Canada. . .
They don't last as long as other brands, but the best luck I have had in bad weather is the Cooper Weather Master Tires with the studs put in. . . .
They are good until you get a deep snow of 2 - 3 feet or more. . . but by then your frame will bottom out in the snow anyway . . . ( time to put on the chains then . . :) )
Hope this helps . . .
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King, winter tires are mandatory for us too here in Vermont, USA. I just retired a pair of Cooper Weathermasters on my car after 10 seasons. My wife's car has a pair of the same and they do just fine. I have also used Nokias in the past with much success. Hope this helps.
' Wrote:Also, I've found a 2nd hand set of Maloya Tire (Swiss company) and wanted to know how good these tires were in subzero temperature and in deep snow (-30 and about 10cm). Since those tires are generally hard to acquire in Canada, I'm seeking some info from those living in Europe.
Never heard of those things and Ive been mounting a few thousand winter tires on rims in the holidays. Im using Fulda Kristall Montero 3 for the Winter, they are fine for deeper snow. But Im not sure if you can get them on the other side of the big water. Semperit Speed Grip and Gislaved Eurofrost arent that bad either. And just a little hint, dont try to save money when its about winter tires :P
' Wrote:Tires need to comply with the basic norms anyway so which company you use isn't really a big problem, just use the same kind of tires on all 4 wheels.
And if you really want to know if your tires are really good, just go on a website specialized in cars, there is a higher probability that they know stuff about winter tires.
I forgot the name of the manufacturer of the tires I use, all I know is that it isn't a "big" manufacturer, and you know what, they do their job, and the car survived a bunch of winters with them.
Heck, I even use them all year long as they offer more grip on asphalt than the 4-season tires that came with the car. But let say it like this, 155-80R13 are pretty darn cheap, else I wouldn't do it due to replacement cost.
One recommendation though, but steel rims and mount your winter tires on them, so after that, you can change them at home for free.
Also, if your car model has different OEM rim size, always use the smallest for your winter wheels.
This way both the rim and the tires will be cheaper