An AT tyre is not the same as a winter tyre in terms of snow grip and braking.

Winter tyres have a compound that remains pliable in low temperatures when other tyres go rigid.

Winter tyres have a tread that is designed to fill with snow so the snow you drive onto grips better - think of rolling up the snowman's body with the kids - snow sticks on snow.

Winter tyres, as demonstrated in the picture above, have lots of tiny little sipes on the tread to squeeze water off ice to give you grip. Again think about how ice slips out of your finger is its wet but sticks to your skin if its dry.

So, whilst all terrains will often have the snow symbol, they are not true winter tyres and will not match the stopping distance performance or grip of a good winter tyre.

There are plenty of winter tyres that will serve both off road and winter capability.

 

I totally understand that Nooby. I want it all, though! I have driven Blizzaks for 6 years on my Audi S4 Avant and GTI's, and they work great.

There are plenty of winter tyres that will serve both off road and winter capability.

Which Winter Tires are those? I thought all "winter tires" would have a soft compound that would shred off road.

 

They're not that soft! Some people use them all year round.

If you're happy with Blizzaks, get them.

 

hmmm. Very Interesting. How about the sidewalls? Tough enough to go offroad up here in the Rocky Mountains?

 

hmmm. Very Interesting. How about the sidewalls? Tough enough to go offroad up here in the Rocky Mountains?

I run GY Wrangler SilentArmors in 255/65-17, and they are outstanding in all conditions I've run them in so far. Rocky Mtn spring mud, desert southwest dirt/rock, FL sand...haven't been in deep snow yet, but loose sand in FL is pretty close.

They carry the mountain/snowflake all-season rating...and they live up to their name...quiet and tough.

Recently I got 26.7mpg combined in my 2010 TDI on a road trip from ABQ to Colorado Springs up I-25, then over Weston Pass (11,900 ft, 2wd dirt rd with a couple short excursions on rocky doubletrack to play) and Independence Pass (12,000+) to Aspen, then back over Independence Pass and down US 285 back to ABQ.

 

There's a huge difference between loose sand and snow for reasons previously explained in terms of tread pattern and compound.

Lots of tyres have the snowflake symbol even though they are not winter tyres and this is something the tyre industry should address. Just because a tyre has an aggressive tread, manufacturers should not mislead buyers as to their tyres' capabilities.

As for the Rockies, you have to make a choice between a tyre with a flexible sidewall that is comfortable for on road use, and one with more frigid multi-ply sidewalls which are not.

 

There's a huge difference between loose sand and snow for reasons previously explained in terms of tread pattern and compound.

Lots of tyres have the snowflake symbol even though they are not winter tyres and this is something the tyre industry should address. Just because a tyre has an aggressive tread, manufacturers should not mislead buyers as to their tyres' capabilities.

As for the Rockies, you have to make a choice between a tyre with a flexible sidewall that is comfortable for on road use, and one with more frigid multi-ply sidewalls which are not.

The bottom line on the GY's is that they are highly rated in other Treg forums here and elsewhere in both off-road/summer and on-road/winter, and they won't drive you nuts with tire hum and they won't destroy your gas mileage. Going with a slightly taller sidewall than stock fixes the speedo error and provides a comfortable ride on the road.

I can vouch for the off road performance in many conditions, and given the good reviews on TireRack and this forum, I'll tend to believe that they're going to live up to the mountain/snowflake designation. You can also run them at lower pressures than the stock LS2's, which worked just fine in Rocky Mtn snow and ice when they were new.

As for the mountain/snowflake designation in general...tires perform differently on different cars due to several factors. I never buy a tire solely on its specs...I do a lot of research and read a lot of reviews from people driving the same kind of car.

Standard disclaimer: your performance may vary ;-)

 

I put Nokians on as soon as factory set wear out and use them all year round. Still get 38 to 44 k out of a set all year around.

 

That's good milreage. Which Nokkers?

 

Interesting points of view. My touareg came with blizzaks which as i cant afford to replace yet so i run them year round...yes they are a little noisy but don't seem to be wearing terrible?

The only "all terrain" tire i have had great results with is the Nitto Terra grappler, had them on a land rover discovery and they were great, 45,000+ miles, wind rain snow sun, no problem. Had BFG all terrains on a couple of different cars/trucks as was not impressed, either off road or wet / snow conditions.

My previous car was an Audi Allroad, which i ran Michelin Pilot sport all seasons on. Car was quiet at speed, great handling in the wet and never got stuck in the snow, i used to live in Breckenridge where i would regularly drive to work in 4+ inches of snow.

In my opinion it's a combination of car and driver, some people will think I'm crazy driving 80+ mph on the interstate with "winter" tires in the summer....some of us are limited by budget.

 

I was thinking Terra Grappler's myself. I live 10 miles from you in Silverthorne.

 

If they made the Terra's in 19" i would buy them in a heart beat.....i just like the style of the 19 inch wheels over the 18's......if you could get the Atheo's wheels in 18 inch........

 

Have you checked out these?

CooperTiresConsumer - Cooper Zeon LTZ™