Need recommendation for decent but not too expensive P195/60 R15 tires

[preCRT]

For mom's car, she's 79 and is driving back & forth from Cape Cod to Boston to care for my sis with cancer.

I want tires that will help with her Kia Spectra's horrible traction if mom ends up driving while it snows.

Been a long while since I bought any tires, any useful help will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Michelin is never a bad choice. That's what I put on my wife and I car/truck.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Michelin is never a bad choice.

No, there are some absolutely horrible Michelin OEM tires.

 

[Zenmervolt]

In the snow, about the only thing that's going to help are snow tires. All-seasons may be half-decent in the snow, but nothing's going to compare to a true set of snow tires. Of course, running snow tires when its dry wears them out ridiculously fast.

That said, I've heard good things about both Bridgestone's new Turanza Serenity Plus. It seems to do quite well among all-seasons according to TireRack.

ZV

 

[Vetterin]

Living where you mom does I would have to agree with ZV that dedicated winter tires are the only way to go. You can get 4 General Altimax Artic's from Tirebuyer for $264 +tax delivered and just take them to Walmart and have them mounted for $5 each. Don't worry about balancing as your mom won't be driving that fast.

 

[Throckmorton]

Living where you mom does I would have to agree with ZV that dedicated winter tires are the only way to go. You can get 4 General Altimax Artic's from Tirebuyer for $264 +tax delivered and just take them to Walmart and have them mounted for $5 each. Don't worry about balancing as your mom won't be driving that fast.

Does Wal Mart really mount your own tires for you??

 

[Zenmervolt]

Don't worry about balancing as your mom won't be driving that fast.

Disagree strongly with this bit. You can feel out-of-balance wheels at fairly low speeds and by the time you're at highway speed (55-65 mph) you will absolutely notice if you haven't had the tires balanced.

Unbalanced tires will also wear out faster.

ZV

 

[Zukatah_]

Get winter tires. Anything cheap will be heaps better than "all season" tires.

 

[xapo99]

Falken.

 

[bamx2]

+ Falken . Buy at americastire.com ( aka discount tire) . $75-100 off set of 4 specials show up periodically at FW /SD .

 

[Vetterin]

Does Wal Mart really mount your own tires for you??

Yep..........and they don't even charge you tax!

 

[JCH13]

Disagree strongly with this bit. You can feel out-of-balance wheels at fairly low speeds and by the time you're at highway speed (55-65 mph) you will absolutely notice if you haven't had the tires balanced.

Unbalanced tires will also wear out faster.

ZV

They'll also wear out bearings/shocks/suspension components faster.

OP: Michelin X-Ice Xi2 are on closeout at Tire Rack. They were one of the best snow tires a couple years ago, incredible ice/snow traction with low road noise and good dry-road manors. I drove on them through several snowy/icy mountain passes in Colorado.

There's also the General Altimax Arctic, which can be studded for super-absurd ice traction. My GF and a couple of my friends have these and love them.

I have Firestone Winterforce tires, never left me stuck or sliding last winter. Even had enough oomf to shove my Mazdaspeed3 through 12-18inches of snow down my driveway so the plow guy could get in. Same with Altimax Arctics on my GFs car (2009 Civic).

Lots of good winter tire options. No sense in getting all seasons if this is a must-do trip regardless of weather.

 

[preCRT]

Walmart doesn't sell tires here, as far as I know.

Studded tires are illegal in MA.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Studded tires are illegal in MA.

Wrong.

Studded tires are legal in Massachusetts from 01 November through 30 April.

ZV

 

[SpatiallyAware]

This thread makes my head hurt.

Yes, balance your tires. Studded may be an option, but at 79 I doubt she's going to want to mess with all of that, so she would likely be best off with regular snow tires. I like michelin.


At 79, and I hate to be mean here, but is she safe on the road? She may be best off with some good snow-driving lessons (even if from you). The perfect tire/etc setup isn't going to do jack when she's trying to turn and brake, or any other myriad of mistakes people make in the snow and ice.