Grip studs,Tire studs

[nispath4wds]

I was wondering, have anyone used before tire studs? I upgraded my pathy with F/Destination M/T and from reviews I've read, I should take it easy on ice. Is it worth it, to put them on. How u guys see it?

[Dowser]

I'm not sure studs are legal in the GTA if i remember correctly. Might want to check with the MTO first. I think they are only legally acceptable for Northern Ontario IIRC. But I could be wrong so don`t take my word for it.

[Heloflyboy]

If studs are legal where you are,they work GREAT.I use them on my honda civic in the winter time to commute in Lake Tahoe.It gets around as good if not better then 4x4's.I have never tried them on 4x4 though.

[sewebster]

I think modern winter tires are better than crappy tires with studs in a lot of conditions these days. Not sure exactly how this applies to your situation though. Studs should be good on ice though...

[nunya]

I used to run cheap, no-name studs on the Escort in the winter... would go anywhere you would point the nose. Only reason I don't anymore is the thing is generally parked inside for the crappy months now so I haven't really hunted for another set

[silverton]

The only reason a mud terrain tire doesn't do well in cold climates is because a softer rubber is used, so it "freezes" and gets hard making it near useless for grip in the snow.

[4doordrift]

generally winter tires are made out of a soft rubber compound actually.

[nige]

For toronto, you're better off getting a second set of winter tires and taking it easy on the icy roads. Studs would be expensive to remove and install, and Dowser is right, you can only use them north of sudbury AFAIK.

 

I used bfg A/T's for the winter and they work pretty good. I saved the mud tires for the summer time. A true winter tire would work better but I got the BFG's so i could leave them on for longer to give the mud tires a break. I am gonna see if they will fit my frontier too since it has all(no)seasons right now.

[nispath4wds]

My truck came with all season,cooper discover H/Ts, and with 4x4 engaged, I didnt have much trouble driving thru snow and ice. I will see how I'll do on current tires for now. Thanks for the tips.

[Dieselboy]

I've been running Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 studded winter tires (now superseded by the Hak 7s) here in Alberta on my PT Cruiser. Frikin' awesome tires! Incredible gripping performance, especially in the -10C to +5C zone when things get really slippy and you need all the traction you can get. They wear really well too. Not too noisy at highway speed, just sound like popcorn when below 30Kph though, lol. Only thing that worries me now is that I can stop far better than the guy behind me! But if he goes into the back of me at the lights, its his fault right!

 

Ran the Firestone Destination MTs on my old Pathy, unstudded, and these were a great tire too. Loved them. I think I may get a studded set for winter driving and wheeling on my new Terrano build, once my finances settle down! I think the Pro Comp MT Radials are studable too.

 

Remember though, you can't stud tires that have been used. A tire shop will only stud tires that haven't been driven on -grit and dirt gets into the stud holes and blocks them up

[nispath4wds]

I've been running Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 studded winter tires (now superseded by the Hak 7s) here in Alberta on my PT Cruiser. Frikin' awesome tires! Incredible gripping performance, especially in the -10C to +5C zone when things get really slippy and you need all the traction you can get. They wear really well too. Not too noisy at highway speed, just sound like popcorn when below 30Kph though, lol. Only thing that worries me now is that I can stop far better than the guy behind me! But if he goes into the back of me at the lights, its his fault right!

 

Ran the Firestone Destination MTs on my old Pathy, unstudded, and these were a great tire too. Loved them. I think I may get a studded set for winter driving and wheeling on my new Terrano build, once my finances settle down! I think the Pro Comp MT Radials are studable too.

 

Remember though, you can't stud tires that have been used. A tire shop will only stud tires that haven't been driven on -grit and dirt gets into the stud holes and blocks them up

So ,how was the winter driving on F/Destination tires?

[NextToAlaska]

Id just keep it in 4x4 when the roads are icy. with the front tires pulling, its alot harder to spin out.Studs are great, But once you get into areas where its shoveled regulary, they wear out really fast

[silverton]

They also make an awesome light show when you do burnouts

[nispath4wds]

They also make an awesome light show when you do burnouts

I find out its illegal to use tire studs in GTA. I just wonder should I lock my hubs when driving in icy road or plane 4x4 is good enough.

[MY1PATH]

I just leave my hubs locked when its snow/ice out and pull the 4x4 lever back when i need it. I have not had the need to run studs or chains in the pathfinder and I have been thru some storms crossing mountain passes just fine. Chains are never required of 4x4's with agressive tires at any of the checkpoints arround here (just that you carry them) so I kept going until I was out of the pass. It also does just ok on black ice and hard packed snow. You may consider chaining for hard packed snow.

 

Now screwing arround on un-maintained fire roads in the mountains I've used chains and needed them

And for sheet ice, like from a thaw and refreeze thats a bit scary. The kind that keeps vechicle of all kinds from climbing a hill, or from stopping on the way down one even if they were only going 5mph... YES CHAIN UP!

 

I'd say just keep your tires and buy a set of chains to keep handy. Speaking from experience in using both;

Cable chains are light and go on the front pretty well to enhance cornering and braking on ice and hard packed surfaces but no so good for deeper snow.

Chain Chains should only be used on the rear to avoid whacking a fender when turning. They climb well and they back out of snow banks well. And are good when the going gets deep.

[Dieselboy]

So ,how was the winter driving on F/Destination tires?

 

The un-studded Destinations were fine in winter, just as long as you remember that it is winter and that you are running MTs and not some specialist winter tire. Just drive accordingly. Only had one moment when I slid through a red light at an intersection like a rock on a curling rink! Luckily I was going fairly slowly and had time to keep hitting the horn and flashing the headlights to warn folks I wasn't stopping! The blocks and lugs on the tire are quite large so I suppose you could always sipe your own tires or get the shop to do it, if you want more grip. Or get a different make and model that has siped lugs anyway.

 

Other than the one slide, they were great. Really good traction in deep snow off road, though they do suffer from "square tire syndrome" when it gets really cold (-25C) outside and you've been parked for the day - 30-40 seconds of driving and they're OK.

 

Also, just good winter driving technique helps. Not getting your tires into the highly polished groove in the hard-packed snow at the stop lights where everyone else has been spinning. Rather get your wheels in the rougher and slightly deeper snow that's offset to the side of the ruts. But as your from Canada you probably got that one figured

[sewebster]

I just wonder should I lock my hubs when driving in icy road or plane 4x4 is good enough.

 

If your hubs are not locked, then you do not have 4x4?

[OlBlue]

I haven't tried studded tires on either of my pathfinders, but have on other vehicles and they do help handling at moderate speeds.

 

These days I drive on a lot of hard packed snow on top of gravel and carry a set of heavy duty chains for the rear. They will chew their way through almost anything when I get hung up in a drift or need to tow someone (or something).

The down side of the big chains being they toss a lot of rock when they break though, and to drive more than 20KM/hr would surely shake the windows out once underway.

 

I would like to try a set of the cable style to fit 31X10.5s' for the front but have not stumbled across any...yet.

[beastpath]

I haven't tried studded tires on either of my pathfinders, but have on other vehicles and they do help handling at moderate speeds.

 

These days I drive on a lot of hard packed snow on top of gravel and carry a set of heavy duty chains for the rear. They will chew their way through almost anything when I get hung up in a drift or need to tow someone (or something).

The down side of the big chains being they toss a lot of rock when they break though, and to drive more than 20KM/hr would surely shake the windows out once underway.

 

I would like to try a set of the cable style to fit 31X10.5s' for the front but have not stumbled across any...yet.

 

I'm picking up a set of cable style for the front tomorrow. If I have to put them on, then I will use them on the front for more steering/braking control. I can always throw it in 4wd if i loose forward traction.

[nismothunder]

Studs are better then chains hands down. A lot less hassle then getting out every couple of miles too tighten the chains or too replace a broke link.

 

Brake lines and wheel wells like stud's a lot better then chains too.

[OlBlue]

I'm picking up a set of cable style for the front tomorrow. If I have to put them on, then I will use them on the front for more steering/braking control. I can always throw it in 4wd if i loose forward traction.

 

Agreed they would help on the front. I have looked for cable/coil style around here but have not found them big enough for 31's Any leads on where I could order something decent online?

[Camelfilter]

I was wondering, have anyone used before tire studs? I upgraded my pathy with F/Destination M/T and from reviews I've read, I should take it easy on ice. Is it worth it, to put them on. How u guys see it?

 

Studded snows are great!

 

I have studded snows on my Pathfinder again. Bridgestone Blizzaks (I think), mounted on some nice 3 spokes.

 

The primary reason I run studded tires is because I work nightshift. Black ice is the primary concern for me. But the studs are helpfull untill the plows clear everything.

 

When the roads are slippery, I make an extra effort to remember that folks behind may not be running traction tires. Eg-I keep extra space in front of me at stops, giving me some place to go when the person behind starts sliding. I also ease into stops as if I didn't have traction tires.

 

I carry chains in the back all winter as well. Nice ones I picked up out in Oregon-Les Schawlbe quick connects. Easy to get on/off. I carry the chains because calling out because of weather is not an option & also make it easier should I need to pull someone else out if they're really stuck. I've been pulled out before, so figure on paying forward whenever I can.