Seeking Tire Advice for Winter

I bought some slightly used Toyo Observe tires on toyota rims (from an FJ) off Kijiji for 480$.

I'm in Canada, the stock tires do alright in the snow but they are garbage on the ice. The Observe's are soft enough that I felt like I was driving on rails all winter. This is my first truck so I can't compare to anything else.

 

The Blizzacks work pretty well here in the snow and ice. They are strictly winter tires though, with NO mileage rating. I have them on the stock alloy wheels for winter and a set of Michelin Tourances on some black Helos for summer. I live on the side of a mountain on a dirt road, last couple of miles are pretty steep. I also have a 76 F150 4X4 flatbed with some pretty aggressive Bridgestones on it and that thing is just scary going down the hill in the winter when the Tacoma (2014 OR) just goes up and down with no drama.

 

What do you do about the TPM with the winter tires and rims? Is it good to have that light on all the time?

 

Mine's been on since 2008 and it hasn't shown any sign of dying yet...

 

I had the tire shop put new TPM sensors in the Helos when they installed the tires on them. Didn't want that light on constantly.

 

I WANT mine to burn out. Damn sensors never worked from day 1.

 

For winters you want skinner over wide. Blizzaks are the unofficial king, though I've never had them myself (always seem to be unavailable). I have run Nokians snows on my civic (amazing amazing tires - great in snow and slush and ice, maybe the best I've used), Open Country snows on my Silverado (pretty good in snow, but nothing like the Nokians ... bought these as the Blizzaks weren't available in my size), and currently haver BFG winter slaloms on my Tacoma (they have't had tons of winter conditions, but so far seem to be good)

I would definitely recommend Nokians for any car, I' have never used on a truck before. And would say the BFGs are good if you can't find any Blizzaks. I'd also be willing to try out Nokian truck tires since I found the car ones to be that amazing.

I bought the BFGs only because they were a CL deal, and came mounted and balanced w/TPMS on TRD fake-locks. I kept them on the 16" wheels, and the truck rides noticeably softer with the softer tread compound and higher sidewalls vs the stock 17" sport wheels.

 

Since you hate the dunlops anyway and maybe don't want to keep using them in summer, you could replace them with the Cooper A/TW which are an all terrain that are severe snow rated and are the best of the 'winter rated' all terrains as far as I'm concerned.

I actually use mine as dedicated winters but they handle terrifically in summer, on wet or hot and dry roads and have a good long wear mileage warranty. If you don't necessarily need blizzaks these are a good one tire for year round use IMO.

 

Thanks! thinking about getting these live in Pa and snow is not that bad but I sill have dunlops