[roamio]

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[RidgeHauler]

Originally Posted by roamio

Here are Alpin 5s mounted on 20" OZ wheels - 275/45/20 and 305/40/20. I know, I know about square setup for winter but I have to admit that I'm a sucker for fat rear tires. Ride is very nice (almost no increase in noise or harshness) compared to 22" summer Continentals.

That looks really good for a winter set-up.
Good luck with them. Enjoy.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by RidgeHauler

That looks really good for a winter set-up.
Good luck with them. Enjoy.

Avoid X Ice Snow. Compound cooked- presumably a few 10C days last april. 7,000 miles, 9/32, car went sideways in our first Ottawa winter storm. OK, TC VSA worked etc. Tested today, -1C, SKID SKID SKID. Called micheling, refudning me to go outside the brand. They are aware their fancy new treadwear compound has bewen accruing feedback as mine- hardens too much.

[UrKurt]

Originally Posted by Musashi

Compound cooked- presumably a few 10C days last april.

I understand that use at increased temperatures will reduce the overall life of any winter tire as the rubber becomes soft, but this sounds like using once at a higher temperature can immediately ruin a tire. Is "cooking a compound" really a thing?

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by UrKurt

I understand that use at increased temperatures will reduce the overall life of any winter tire as the rubber becomes soft, but this sounds like using once at a higher temperature can immediately ruin a tire. Is "cooking a compound" really a thing?

The overall life of winter tire in high temp is reduced because of excessive wear due to softer nature of winter tire. Driving in 10-20 C shouldn't ruin a tire to the extent that it loses its winter traction.

[roamio]

Originally Posted by Musashi

Avoid X Ice Snow. Compound cooked- presumably a few 10C days last april. 7,000 miles, 9/32, car went sideways in our first Ottawa winter storm. OK, TC VSA worked etc. Tested today, -1C, SKID SKID SKID. Called micheling, refudning me to go outside the brand. They are aware their fancy new treadwear compound has bewen accruing feedback as mine- hardens too much.

Michelin X Ice are extreme snow/ice tires. There is a reason they are rated "T" - top speed 118mph (nothing even close to some kind of "performance"). Unless you drive all the time in couple of feet of snow and/or ice I would recommend getting Alpins or any other "V" rated snow tire.