19" OEM snow tire recommendations?

[Mr_Hooper]

Hey all - Looking for snow tire recommendations to fit my 19" OEM wheels. I do A LOT of driving up to the mountains during the winter & need something that is going to hold up well & hopefully maintain some fuel efficiency.

Does anyone have any strong recommendations to buy OR stay away from?

[kdaffy]

nokian hakka is highly rated, just not sure if you'll be able to find them in the right size. Blizzak is also well regarded, and I'm a fan of my michelin X-Ice 3.

[SportVier]

OEM?! Go skinny!

[BJYorko]

I put Blizzaks on my OEM Peelers up here in MN and they worked great last winter.

[hotleadsingergu]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....m=44TR8IG52CXL

Yokohama IG52c -- Bought them last year and love them. These things handle snow and ice like they're not even there.

[ZGskibum]

I run Pirelli Sottozeros and love them. They're a better wet/dry-road tire than the Blizzaks (let's face it, is 80+% of your winter driving in CO is on wet/dry roads, with 20% or less on actual ice and snow). For me to get the Pirellis loose on ice and snow I have to be intentionally trying to do so. With traction control turned off.

Here's a comparison I found helpful when tire shopping:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=181

[SDV325]

Just don't get Pirelli Sottoserie 2, they are terrible. Never had so many traction control issues with a car ever, especially an AWD car. Do not believe the reviews on tirerack, ice you have zero traction and wet/thick snow just pancakes on the tires instead of breaking off. Only when its super cold (-20) did they perform alright in snow.

They offer zero control and very little confidence unless its super cold. Too much of a performance tire.

[tahoedrew]

I run on Nokian Hakka's because of how much I'm up in Tahoe and I recommend them. They're certainly softer than the Michelin Super Sports but they still grip well on dry pavement. However, like SportVier noted, you're better off going skinny for snows. I bought 18" rims and went 245/40R18.

~A