A tire question winter vs a/s: Which is the better choice?

[itszed]

So, the weather is starting to cool down here and the time has come to transition from the Yokohamas on my 25 Sport to something that will meet MV Regulation requirements for most of the roads around here in winter, as well as get me home if we get some snow. I have been looking at winter tire options such as the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, and I'm looking at some winter rims.

The other option is to go all season with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4 and just swap them for the Yokos, keeping the factory rims. Cost difference is about $1200 CAD (pretty much the cost of the rims), plus storage (because they aren't going home in that car).

I am not looking to travel long distances in heavy snow, we have an AWD for that, just something that will perform as well as possible on wet and cold roads, with maybe some frost, some ice and possibly some snow. We live in a windy and hilly area and road clearing is not generally a priority, so traction is important. We typically get snow for a few days, maybe twice a winter. Clearly, if there are a few inches of snow on these streets, the car stays in the garage. The greater concern is slick, or icy roads here.

I have read the other threads discussing the PS 4s vs other summer tires, but my specific question is whether a high quality all season such as the PS A/S 4 will do the job vs a full winter tire.

Thanks in advance...

 

[NismoNed]

A/S 4’s are great tires if you need a “do it all” if you will. I’ve had 2 sets of them. They are capable of handling light snow duty without compromising handling too much once it gets warmer again. There is still a tradeoff with it being an all season tire though if your Yokohama’s are a true summer tire.

If it were me in your situation, I’d take a look at Michelin’s Cross Climate 2’s. I’ve also had a set of these and was thoroughly impressed with them. They are all seasons but actually come with a snow rating. It’s not a performance tire but the snow and cold weather capabilities were really impressive considering it’s still technically an all season.

You might consider throwing a set of those on in the winter and swap back to the Yoko’s in the summer on your stock wheels. Understand that’s a bit different than the scenarios you posed though. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Michelin’s. They have always been worth the price premium imo.

 

[RadzShadow]

I live in the desert southwest the 007s were horrible, so I bought all weather Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ and had them installed a week ago. It rained overnight and into the morning, so I drove the car to work this morning. They felt a LOT more stable and a smoother ride. I bought the OEM size and am happy so far, but I only drive ~150 miles a week.
I have yet to take it out and let the car eat on the new tires, when I do ... I'll share the data/video.

 

[itszed]

A/S 4’s are great tires if you need a “do it all” if you will. I’ve had 2 sets of them. They are capable of handling light snow duty without compromising handling too much once it gets warmer again. There is still a tradeoff with it being an all season tire though if your Yokohama’s are a true summer tire.

If it were me in your situation, I’d take a look at Michelin’s Cross Climate 2’s. I’ve also had a set of these and was thoroughly impressed with them. They are all seasons but actually come with a snow rating. It’s not a performance tire but the snow and cold weather capabilities were really impressive considering it’s still technically an all season.

You might consider throwing a set of those on in the winter and swap back to the Yoko’s in the summer on your stock wheels. Understand that’s a bit different than the scenarios you posed though. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Michelin’s. They have always been worth the price premium imo.

Thanks. I'll take a look. My original thought of two sets of mounted tires is getting less desirable, I'm having trouble finding rims I'm happy with and the idea of paying for storage didn't sit well either.

 

[itszed]

I live in the desert southwest the 007s were horrible, so I bought all weather Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ and had them installed a week ago. It rained overnight and into the morning, so I drove the car to work this morning. They felt a LOT more stable and a smoother ride. I bought the OEM size and am happy so far, but I only drive ~150 miles a week.
I have yet to take it out and let the car eat on the new tires, when I do ... I'll share the data/video.

Good to know. Thank you.

 

[RadzShadow]

You're welcome, sir!

 

[ThePoorZ]

I debated hard between the ps4 all seasons and the cross climate 2s for my second set of wheels. In the end it came down to how much snow the car would realistically see, versus what I wanted for a performance winter tire. I ended up with the ps4 all seasons, because if it’s snowing, I’m taking my truck. When the roads are cleared up, which they usually are pretty quickly, I’ll be much happier with the ps4as. It was a shame too, because the cross climates really reminded me of the last really good tire that Goodyear produced, the F1 GSD3, and I really wanted that tread pattern.

 

[RadzShadow]

I debated hard between the ps4 all seasons and the cross climate 2s for my second set of wheels. In the end it came down to how much snow the car would realistically see, versus what I wanted for performance winter tire. I ended up with the ps4 all seasons, because if it’s snowing, I’m taking my truck. When the roads are cleared up, which they usually are pretty quickly, I’ll be much happier with the ps4as. It was a shame too, because the cross climates really reminded me of the last really good tire that Goodyear produced, the F1 GSD3, and I really wanted that tread pattern.

I too have a truck for when it snows or we have flash floods in the higher elevations where I work. I am NOT going to test out this car on snow. I see both sides of the conversation, PS4 or the SRS+. It isn't an arguement, it is the environment that you pesonally drive in and the way you drive. Thank you for your contributions!

 

[RobotAZ]

A/S 4’s are great tires if you need a “do it all” if you will. I’ve had 2 sets of them. They are capable of handling light snow duty without compromising handling too much once it gets warmer again. There is still a tradeoff with it being an all season tire though if your Yokohama’s are a true summer tire.

If it were me in your situation, I’d take a look at Michelin’s Cross Climate 2’s. I’ve also had a set of these and was thoroughly impressed with them. They are all seasons but actually come with a snow rating. It’s not a performance tire but the snow and cold weather capabilities were really impressive considering it’s still technically an all season.

You might consider throwing a set of those on in the winter and swap back to the Yoko’s in the summer on your stock wheels. Understand that’s a bit different than the scenarios you posed though. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Michelin’s. They have always been worth the price premium imo.

You just gave me the idea CC on back, Pilot A/S on front lol

 

[RobotAZ]

I debated hard between the ps4 all seasons and the cross climate 2s for my second set of wheels. In the end it came down to how much snow the car would realistically see, versus what I wanted for a performance winter tire. I ended up with the ps4 all seasons, because if it’s snowing, I’m taking my truck. When the roads are cleared up, which they usually are pretty quickly, I’ll be much happier with the ps4as. It was a shame too, because the cross climates really reminded me of the last really good tire that Goodyear produced, the F1 GSD3, and I really wanted that tread pattern.

Exactly. I’m stubborn and still drive my RWD sports cars to the grocery in a blizzard with PS4 A/S. I just enjoy it for whatever reason. I don’t recommend it to others. Ice or snow in the Z is challenging. I’d use the CC geared more for snow if I didn’t like the risk compromise.

 

[itszed]

I debated hard between the ps4 all seasons and the cross climate 2s for my second set of wheels. In the end it came down to how much snow the car would realistically see, versus what I wanted for a performance winter tire. I ended up with the ps4 all seasons, because if it’s snowing, I’m taking my truck. When the roads are cleared up, which they usually are pretty quickly, I’ll be much happier with the ps4as. It was a shame too, because the cross climates really reminded me of the last really good tire that Goodyear produced, the F1 GSD3, and I really wanted that tread pattern.

I hear you. We often go several winters without getting any snow, but every winter brings rain and frost. If it's anything more than a dusting, I'm staying home. I am retired and can plan trips accordingly. I have heard the Continentals are good as are the Goodyears. It is great that we have a few options. I appreciate your feedback, thanks.

 

[Thefunk]

I too am looking for winter tires because where I live it does snow but we get more ice and rain than heavy snow. I wouldn't take the Z out if it's still in the driveway and there's snow on the ground but there have been times where I did take the Z out and it snowed later in the day. Which winter tires are good for our Z's? Not looking to time attack anything in the winter just need stability and traction in cold/wet weather.

 

[Mugzilla]

I went with the Continental DWS06 on my Sport. Reasoning? It gets cold here, the stock Yokohamas wore crazy quick, and were made of freeze-dried oil slick. I can now move the car in cold weather without worrying about damaging the rubber.

And, I'm not tracking the car.


https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/t...ith-conti-dws06-tires.5774/page-2#post-134389

 

[Thefunk]

I went with the Continental DWS06 on my Sport. Reasoning? It gets cold here, the stock Yokohamas wore crazy quick, and were made of freeze-dried oil slick. I can now move the car in cold weather without worrying about damaging the rubber.

And, I'm not tracking the car.


https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/t...ith-conti-dws06-tires.5774/page-2#post-134389

Oh so in that pic the fronts are 45 profile? Those wheels are 19"? I really want to go with 45 profile front and rear with the stock 19" wheels, just worried about scraping. I'm lowered about 3/4" from stock height.

 

[Mugzilla]

Oh so in that pic the fronts are 45 profile? Those wheels are 19"? I really want to go with 45 profile front and rear with the stock 19" wheels, just worried about scraping. I'm lowered about 3/4" from stock height.

Front 245/45 18
Rear 275/40 18

Those are exactly the same diameter.

Can't go wider than 275 on the stock Sport rims.

My car is not lowered.