'06 V70 FWD Base Auto. Tire Issue

[E Showell]

So, when we got the car last December, it had what I thought were crappy tires, Nexen CP671 205 55 16s. They are positively awful in the rain and worse in the snow. I have rotated them and kept proper inflation pressure. This morning on the driver's side rear tire I noticed a slight bulge about the size of an egg right where the sidewall and tread meet.

To me, this spells death to that tire. I could replace with like, but why? I hate these tires. What I am likely to do is put a pair of General Altimax RT 43s on just the rear and eke it out for another few months 'til I put four snows on in November. I really don't want to spring for 4 new all seasons only to have to do that again for 4 snows in a few months.

Then, once the snows come off in April, I'd pick up another pair of RT 43s for the front.

Any reason this is a bad idea?

Thanks

[oragex]

Good idea, in fact I would rush installing them and not drive on the highway until its done. I'm also glad when I hear about people looking to buy proper snow tires. Try not to buy a cheap brand, Toyo are not bad, Goodyear, to keep the budget on leash (Bridgestone and Nokians would the top).. I also had Altimax winters and not too happy with them. Also not a big fan of Michelin snow tires especially the 'ice' ones.

[Rattnalle]

I agree it needs to be replaced right away.

But why would you want no-seasons if you are getting snows as well? I thought the whole point of those was that you could fool yourself they're good for winter as well..

And the Nexens are quite crappy tyres regardless of bulges.

[E Showell]

In fact, I only need snows to make it up my 75 foot long, 15 degree incline gravel driveway. Everything else I can manage without them.

I am off Michelins generally. I find that, while they last forever, after about 30k miles the tread compound gets so hard that the traction is miserable.

I tend to go for studded snows, but they are getting harder to find. Similarly not impressed by the General Altimax snows.

Probably go with Nokians and I have a set of smaller diameter wheels, so I will go with narrower tires with a higher aspect ratio for the snows.

[oragex]

In fact, I only need snows to make it up my 75 foot long, 15 degree incline gravel driveway. Everything else I can manage without them.

I am off Michelins generally. I find that, while they last forever, after about 30k miles the tread compound gets so hard that the traction is miserable.

I tend to go for studded snows, but they are getting harder to find. Similarly not impressed by the General Altimax snows.

Probably go with Nokians and I have a set of smaller diameter wheels, so I will go with narrower tires with a higher aspect ratio for the snows.

Nokian is surely top notch. I've read Toyo gsi 5 also has excellent snow traction. I had the Toyo Go2+ by the past, a very impressive tire in most aspects, unfortunately has been discontinued. Of course, most non-studded winter tires are not great on ice, except maybe for the Bridgestone Blizzak (but these melt fast on warm weather). But then that's what the Ice Salt Melts are made for (I remember last winter when going to customers houses after a severe freezing rain, why does nobody use ice melts on their alleys? I would have better been bringing a pair of ice skates)

[E Showell]

Need the studs to get up my icy driveway. For years my wife (Buffalo, NY area native) teased me about my inability to get a car up the driveway in the snow compared to her obviously superior winter driving skills. I resisted telling her I had put snow tires on her car (because she most frequently transported the kids on some pretty hilly local roads) and was, myself, using all-seasons for about two years.

[abscate]

Need the studs to get up my icy driveway. For years my wife (Buffalo, NY area native) teased me about my inability to get a car up the driveway in the snow compared to her obviously superior winter driving skills. I resisted telling her I had put snow tires on her car (because she most frequently transported the kids on some pretty hilly local roads) and was, myself, using all-seasons for about two years.

Grasshopper, you are indeed Samurai Husband. After you get the snows, say "thanks for teaching me"

[E Showell]

How are Bridgestone Blizzax snow tires?

[oragex]

Depending on the areas, some roads/streets can get a lot of ice in the winter (for example for those who have a cottage near a lake/forest, etc) for such conditions indeed some less expensive tire that can be studded is the perfect option (the downside of this is the constant noise). No need to go with a big brand (in fact most more expensive tires don't accept studs), a Pacemark Snowtrakker is a decent option.

I also think I remember reading that there is more than one type/brand of studs available, not all the same performance.

Blizzac are about the top, but they can't be studded - see the above lines. On an iced slope a cheaper (let's say less expensive instead, so as not to confuse with cheap tires) but studded tire should beat them easily. Also, Blizzac have one of the softer compounds of all winter tires there (winter tires is basically always a soft compound) so it's important not to run them in weather with temperatures over 50F or so because warm weather will wear them quickly. Even then, they will wear faster in the winter season. Also - true or not - I've read that some owners mentioned them not to have the same initial bite as they wear down.

[Rattnalle]

Depending on the areas, some roads/streets can get a lot of ice in the winter (for example for those who have a cottage near a lake/forest, etc) for such conditions indeed some less expensive tire that can be studded is the perfect option (the downside of this is the constant noise). No need to go with a big brand (in fact most more expensive tires don't accept studs), a Pacemark Snowtrakker is a decent option.

The difference between cheap and good studded winter tyres is enormous. It's quite ridiculous how bad some are. So no its not a good option if you value your life.