Winter tires and best drive mode for snow?

[MellowJohnny]

Your mileage may vary, I've not seen a really bad drop off in temps as low as zero degrees f. Traction is down some but it's not as bad people make it out to be.

Suit yourself - but winter tires don't just have different tread, they are a softer compound, able to provide better traction as the temperature drop.

Braking distances can increase up to 25% vs summer tires. Not worth the risk in my book.

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[GreaseMonkey]

I ran the Michelin X-Ice Snow 19" on my Premium AWD last winter and they were fantastic. I see that you have a GT PE however, so I don't know if they are available in the GT PE wheel size.

I hear that the Nokian Happapeliitta R5 EV are really good as well but have never tried them.

+1 for Michelin X-Ice Snow. Ran them on several vehicles and was very impressed with traction, noise level, and durability. They are not tuned for EVs, so we’ll see how they impact range. Couldn’t find any useful rolling resistance ratings.

Considered Nokians which were recommended by several of my Canadian friends, but all side-by-side reviews pointed to slightly worse performance than Michelin. Plus, I’m a loyal tire rack shopper and they don’t stock Nokian.

I also have a premium AWD w/ OEM 19” wheels.

 

[Darauk]

I just picked up my GTPE last night. Thank you for this thread (even though I am late to it).

Would any of the tires people have recommended by good all-season tires? I don't anticipate needing or wanting the stock Perrelli summer tires in summer, don't relish the idea of holding onto two sets of tires, and kind of want to "fire and forget" with a good all-season alternative.

I have seen other threads that speak to the value of swapping between summer and winter, so I am not locked on my thoughts just yet. Still, I appreciate anyone's thoughts on a good all-year tire for the GTPE.

 

[tuminatr]

I just picked up my GTPE last night. Thank you for this thread (even though I am late to it).

Would any of the tires people have recommended by good all-season tires? I don't anticipate needing or wanting the stock Perrelli summer tires in summer, don't relish the idea of holding onto two sets of tires, and kind of want to "fire and forget" with a good all-season alternative.

I have seen other threads that speak to the value of swapping between summer and winter, so I am not locked on my thoughts just yet. Still, I appreciate anyone's thoughts on a good all-year tire for the GTPE.

I don't think St Louis gets that much snow, last time I was there they had freezing rain going on. I would pick either a good all-season or one of the new all-weather tires. Something like the Vredestein Quatrac Pro or Michelin Cross Climate. I run the Quatrac on mine and although the Michelin is a good tire don't like it for the Mach E because you cant four tire rotate a directional tire.

 

[VindictivePantz]

This is a great thread - thank you - I'm a big believer in snow tires, and the Michelin's have always been good on my wife's Audi (though Quattro + winter tires take the sliding fun out of it.)

I've seen a mix of 20" and 18" wheels in this thread - I have typically stuck with OEM sized wheels, so two questions:

1. Does it matter?
2. Any brands of wheels that are decently priced?

Thinking about buying a set from TireRack, but quickly get myself in trouble with cost quickly.

 

[Bayviews88]

I just picked up California Route 1 RWD and now that Mother Nature has brought precipitation back to CA, it seems I may need snow tires for visits to the Sierras (I had bought snow socks for my AWD Select).
What have folks done for driving their RWD MachE in snowy environments? In California we are required to use chains or equivalent unless you have AWD, so it looks like I need to upgrade my tires (or see if I can find a MY22 AWD and do a trade-in? Lol).

 

[tannerk89]

I just picked up my GTPE last night. Thank you for this thread (even though I am late to it).

Would any of the tires people have recommended by good all-season tires? I don't anticipate needing or wanting the stock Perrelli summer tires in summer, don't relish the idea of holding onto two sets of tires, and kind of want to "fire and forget" with a good all-season alternative.

I have seen other threads that speak to the value of swapping between summer and winter, so I am not locked on my thoughts just yet. Still, I appreciate anyone's thoughts on a good all-year tire for the GTPE.

I have a Premium 4X but did a lot of research on good all seasons and just got a new set last week. I ended up with Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 ultra high performance tires. I’ve heard the Continental Extreme Contact DWS06+ is equal or better to the Michelin performance wise. So far the Michelins have been great. Extremely quiet, great performance, and great treadwdar rating. Wet traction is awesome and they have good snow rating as well.

 

[tuminatr]

I do want to add some content to this conversation.

There are essentially 3 kinds of tires being talked about in the thread.

1 all season tires. Although all season tires are the best they have ever been they are not rated by the rubber manufacturers association for winter. The RMA winter rating is TPMSF three peak mountain snow flake. All season typically have a tread compound designed to handle light snow. The tread compound is optimized to work down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of all season tires are continental dws06+ and Michelin Pilot sport 4 a/s.

2 the next category is more of a marketing term but it's catching on in the snowbelt. Usually refered to as all weather the tires are certified and have the TPMSF three peak mountain snowflake. These typically have a tread compound that work at lower temperatures than an all season say down to -5 Fahrenheit. some are extremely well balanced and work equally good in the snow and wet like the Michelin Cross Climate 2 and the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. These are great for someone who lives in an area that gets bad weather and wants to use only one set of tires. Noticably better traction in the cold than an all season.

3 dedicated winter tires. These have a tread compound designed to work in extreme cold and typically have excessive wear if used over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They are less about traction for acceleration ( AWD is great for acceleration in snow) They help in cornering and breaking. These require a summer and winter set of tires and we make the switch at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter tires provide noticably better traction in the snow than an all weather or all season.


Choose the best for the area you live and how severe winter gets.

Also make your own choice and I am not criticizing you decision. I saw a bunch of regular all season tires when I was in Minot, ND yesterday. In Minot I would do a dedicated winter. In Chicago I would do an all weather they don't get that much snow and it's plowed well.

 

[Darauk]

I do want to add some content to this conversation.

There are essentially 3 kinds of tires being talked about in the thread.

1 all season tires. Although all season tires are the best they have ever been they are not rated by the rubber manufacturers association for winter. The RMA winter rating is TPMSF three peak mountain snow flake. All season typically have a tread compound designed to handle light snow. The tread compound is optimized to work down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of all season tires are continental dws06+ and Michelin Pilot sport 4 a/s.

2 the next category is more of a marketing term but it's catching on in the snowbelt. Usually refered to as all weather the tires are certified and have the TPMSF three peak mountain snowflake. These typically have a tread compound that work at lower temperatures than an all season say down to -5 Fahrenheit. some are extremely well balanced and work equally good in the snow and wet like the Michelin Cross Climate 2 and the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. These are great for someone who lives in an area that gets bad weather and wants to use only one set of tires. Noticably better traction in the cold than an all season.

3 dedicated winter tires. These have a tread compound designed to work in extreme cold and typically have excessive wear if used over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They are less about traction for acceleration ( AWD is great for acceleration in snow) They help in cornering and breaking. These require a summer and winter set of tires and we make the switch at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter tires provide noticably better traction in the snow than an all weather or all season.


Choose the best for the area you live and how severe winter gets.

Also make your own choice and I am not criticizing you decision. I saw a bunch of regular all season tires when I was in Minot, ND yesterday. In Minot I would do a dedicated winter. In Chicago I would do an all weather they don't get that much snow and it's plowed well.

Thank you! This cleared up a LOT for me! Outstanding post, and extremely helpful for a non-car person like myself.

 

[Bayviews88]

Thank you for this detailed update! For my California Route 1 here in the SF Area, would option 2 be a good compromise for driving in a rainy winter and snow? Or could I get through the next 11 months with the OEM all seasons and upgrade at my one year anniversary next October?

I do want to add some content to this conversation.

There are essentially 3 kinds of tires being talked about in the thread.

1 all season tires. Although all season tires are the best they have ever been they are not rated by the rubber manufacturers association for winter. The RMA winter rating is TPMSF three peak mountain snow flake. All season typically have a tread compound designed to handle light snow. The tread compound is optimized to work down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Examples of all season tires are continental dws06+ and Michelin Pilot sport 4 a/s.

2 the next category is more of a marketing term but it's catching on in the snowbelt. Usually refered to as all weather the tires are certified and have the TPMSF three peak mountain snowflake. These typically have a tread compound that work at lower temperatures than an all season say down to -5 Fahrenheit. some are extremely well balanced and work equally good in the snow and wet like the Michelin Cross Climate 2 and the Vredestein Quatrac Pro. These are great for someone who lives in an area that gets bad weather and wants to use only one set of tires. Noticably better traction in the cold than an all season.

3 dedicated winter tires. These have a tread compound designed to work in extreme cold and typically have excessive wear if used over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They are less about traction for acceleration ( AWD is great for acceleration in snow) They help in cornering and breaking. These require a summer and winter set of tires and we make the switch at 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter tires provide noticably better traction in the snow than an all weather or all season.


Choose the best for the area you live and how severe winter gets.

Also make your own choice and I am not criticizing you decision. I saw a bunch of regular all season tires when I was in Minot, ND yesterday. In Minot I would do a dedicated winter. In Chicago I would do an all weather they don't get that much snow and it's plowed well.

 

[Darauk]

I ended up ordering Michelin Pilot Sport All Season tires. My tire shop said it was the best option for my area (St. Louis) because we don't usually get super cold or deep snow.

Thanks again for all the advice, especially @tuminatr's post!

 

[AlpaChino]

I didn't see this posted yet so I thought I'd share. As far as driving mode is concerned, Ford recommends Whisper in snow conditions. Per the drive mode selection screen:

 

[Unproven Jaybird]

I ran the Michelin X-Ice Snow 19" on my Premium AWD last winter and they were fantastic. I see that you have a GT PE however, so I don't know if they are available in the GT PE wheel size.

I hear that the Nokian Happapeliitta R5 EV are really good as well but have never tried them.

Any effect on range?

 

[Mathington]

Any effect on range?

Nothing noticeable, the cold weather has far more of an impact on range.

 

[Womps]

Here’s my experience. While waiting for parts for my recently purchased MME the dealership let me take home a MME GT Performance. i was installing my charger and wanted to make sure it was working. I only live 3 miles from the dealership. Last week we got our 1st snowfall of the season, unfortunately a foot of it. when I picked up the GT temperature was -18 c or 0 F. The snow on our side streets was packed down, rutted and icy. The GT was absolutely useless. At 5mph it would hit a rut and you had an uncontrollable vehicle. Just scary. I drove the Mach E we bought on the same roads with the a.s. tires and was very impressed with traction and drive ability. Every bit as good as the Bronco we traded in. I know conditions were extreme but if I had the GT Performance with the summer treads I wouldn’t drive it anywhere on icy or snow covered roads, and I mean anywhere!

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