RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

1) Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 EMT (run flat) [GW3, not GW2]

2) Nitto Winter SN1 H

3) Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 H

4) Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 H

5) Nokian WR All Weather Plus H

6) Dunlop SP WinterSport M3 V

7) Continental ContiWinterContact TS810S V

8) Nokian WR All Weather Plus V

9) Cooper Weather-Master S102 H

10) Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 V

11) Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 H

12) Continental ContiWinterContact TS790 H

13) Hankook Icebear W300 H

14) Viking Snowtech H

15) Toyo Observe Garit HT H

16) Vredestein Wintrac V

17) Vredestein Snowtrac 2 H

18) Pirelli 210 Wintersport H

19) Pirelli Wintersport 210 Scottozero

20) Dunlop SP Wintersport M3 H


The only snow tires that were rated excellent or good for snow traction above were #'s 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, and 15. The Hankook Icebear (#13) was actually rated as poor for snow traction.

I ordered the new Ultra Grip GW3 EMTs recently (run flats), which Consumer Reports rated as number 1. They were expensive and I hope they're worth it. I was going to get the Dunlop M3s previously.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure that a Zen master could see how

#13(rated poor) rated higher as a snow tire than #15(rated good to excellent),

when 13 was not - by definition - a "snow" tire........but it escapes me.

Maybe they rate snow tires by some other criterion than how good they are in actual, physical, .....snow.

S

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

They used 8 criteria, some of which had nothing to do with snow/ice traction.

They were: Snow traction, ice traction, dry traction, wet traction, handling, hydroplaning, ride and noise.

When I made my selection, I weighted the snow and ice traction as most important.

Also, the Toyo Observe Garit rated excellent for both snow and ice traction (the only tire to do so), but poor for dry and wet traction, and handling - so it finished 15th (???).


I do know what you're saying, stealth.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Here's an article I found that summarizes the findings:

Friday, October 27, 2006 :: Kansas City infoZine

Consumer Reports Rates All-Season and Performance Winter Tires

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories...iew/sid/18631/

Excerpt -

....Among the 20 models of performance winter tires tested, Consumer Reports rated the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip best, with an "Excellent" score. The Nitto Winter SN1 H took second place, posting a slightly lower score though still "Excellent" overall. The Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 H came in third place, with a "Very Good" score. Winter tires are good in regions where drivers must drive over snow and ice in colder months.

Consumer Reports tested all the tires for dry braking, wet braking, handling, hydroplaning, snow traction, ice braking, ride, and noise. Tread wear tests were also conducted on the performance, all-season tires. CR's overall tire scores emphasize safety-related tests, including braking, handling, and resistance to hydroplaning-where standing water causes tires to lift off the road surface, leading to a loss of grip and steering control. Naturally, CR scored performance on snow and ice more heavily for winter tires.

Consumer Reports tested 22 sets of H-rated tires in a common 15-inch size, P195/65R15.For any given tire in the ratings, CR would expect performance to be comparable in a range of sizes. The 13 V-rated tires CR tested were wider and had a lower profile than the H size. CR tested them in a common P205/55R16 size. In its winter tire tests, CR tested 20 H- and V-rated winter tires in a P205/55R16 size.

Here are some Consumer Reports' Quick Picks for all-season tire:

Performance All Season Tires


Best for all weather conditions:

* H-rated: Dunlop Sport 5000; Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S; Falken Ziex ZE 512
* V-rated: Michelin Pilot HX MXM4; Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S; Continental ContiProContact



Others to consider if winter grip doesn't matter:

* H-rated: Continental ContiProContact, Michelin Pilot XGT H4, Bridgestone Potenza RE950
* V-rated: Yokohama Avid V4s; Falken Ziex ZE 512, Bridgestone Potenza RE950



If long tread wear is important:

* H-rated: Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus, Goodyear Assurance TripleTred, Kumho Solus KH16
* V-rated: Michelin Pilot HX MXM4, Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus



Performance Winter Tires


Best for severe winters:

* Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 H; Nitto Winter SN1 H; Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 H



If freezing weather is infrequent:

* Continental ContiWinerContact TS810 H; Continental ContiWinterContactTS810S V



Full tests and ratings of the performance all-season and performance winter tires appear in the November issue of Consumer Reports, on sale now. The complete report is also available to subscribers at www.ConsumerReports.org.