TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

We're now in our second snow cycle this winter and the xB2 has been having to navigate some fairly mediocre conditions. It's interesting to see the dash warning lamps illuminate and correlate them with what I'm feeling in the wheel and hearing from the engine and tires. Fact is, it's doing really well . I'm sure it would have had to try a lot less if I'd taken the time to install the snows around Jan 15 (easily could have, just lazy I guess ), but I'm really pleased with how well it's doing (currently running the OE Bridgestones).

DJ_FroZone

iTrader: (2)

if u were running the goodyears like me you would be cursing. im debating asking for help to get new tires. ____ you good year and ur dum RSA ____e tires

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

I spent time online researching when I got the car and settled on General Altimax Arctic snow tires, and they're really great (all four corners of course ). If I had them on now, I'm pretty sure the warning lamps would be pretty boring.

DJ_FroZone

iTrader: (2)

yep i just got some dunlop firece tires. not bad way better than stock

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

I originally planned to use the OE for snows and ordered a set of General Exclaim UHP for the rest of the year. However, when I finally looked into the Bridgestones snow performance, I realized that was a dubious decision ! So, I moved them and the sensors to my aftermarket rims and the UHP are in the basement until the OE wear out. The snows are on the steel rims -- too bad they're not on the car, but at least, now I know why I bought them !

Roller_Toaster

iTrader: (1)

Running kumho ecsta's in the front, doing muuuch better than I thought they would in the winter.

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

Checked my tire pressure today before heading out for a gas fill. They were 25 lbs ! I was intentionally allowing them to be a little low since that helps their snow traction, but I didn't realize the freezing temperatures had taken them that low !

More bad weather's supposed to be hitting Tuesday, but 25 lbs is a bit much (could definitely feel it), so I brought them up to 32 lbs. Ride and throttle response is much better now (no wonder gas mileage was hurting) -- curious to see how the xB2 poor condition road handling is now .

AAG

iTrader: (1)

Roads were covered in ice today and it wasn't too bad minus the hilly areas.

Today was a first ever for my abs to kick on, got the pulsating brake pedal and thought to myself "oh thats how you know its working" lol. Thank God I didnt go cheap on replacement tires (michelin pilot sport a/s plus), I HATED my oem set.

DJ_FroZone

iTrader: (2)

____iing mad. now that i have new tires i can't drift as well. these little bastards have MAD grip compared to the oe. i ahve to go at least twice as fast into a corner to get some action. however i do enjoy knowing my car is safer when needed. but wow the difference new NON oem tires make.

AAG

iTrader: (1)

Slow down Fro, we dont want another "I totaled my xb2" thread from you

*knocks on wood*

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

Just opened some house windows to let the warmth in -- we're having a heat wave (39+ degrees)! Lot's of dripping outside. (I probably triggered it by getting an electric heater a couple days ago.

)

My ABS cut in following the December snow while braking on a slope for a neighborhood stop sign. Not sure it helped much (slid a few feet past the sign), but it was my first experience of it. Had to remind myself to maintain pressure on the brake pedal during the pulsing -- feels strange.

sexby

I've never seen snow, I've always wanted to, but i don't think I'd ever want to drive around in it.

Matt9876

My xB2 has preformed well in near white out conditions crossing Jellico mountain,watched other rear wheel drive cars and pickup trucks sail right off the side of the road.

Bless Toyota for the ASC and front wheel drive.

Invertalon

The first year, the OE tires did OK... The second winter, they got MUCH worse... By the end of that winter, they were nearly un-usable. I told myself I HAD to replace them (even with a solid 25% thread left). They turned strictly into my winter tires since I had got rims and summer tires.

I switched over the General Altimax Arctic on my winter steelies this winter and wow, the xB is like a TANK. I will never go without snow tires, ever again. I do not slide, skid, nothing. Before where I would slide through a stop sign trying to stop at 15mph on the OE tires, I can stop from 30mph without so much of a tire slip and even stop earlier than expected. You do get some tire spin when snow is deep, but that is only because it is shredding the snow out of the way so it can grip some pavement. They are incredible.

Night and day difference... It really is! I love driving in the snow now. Slush, deep snow, slick snow, etc... Car plows through it like nothing. On the freeway when everybody else is driving 25mph, I can easily drive 50mph no problem. And not like an idiot either, the tires are just that planted.

I also have gone down STEEP hills in thick snow during a huge storm we had in Cleveland to get out of a 3hr traffic jam... Nobody else went the way I did (and I am guessing most would of not had much success, it was a risk to be honest), but the tires did not slip one bit. Cars could not make it up that same hill (stuck at bottom). Then to get out of the valley, I had to go up a large hill with no issue at all.

I highly recommend them.

strtrcril87

I think next winter I'm definitely going to invest in some snow tires. I have Goodyear fuel max all seasons and they are worse in the snow than the tires that came on it from the dealer. I think they're a harder compound.

wagonbldr

Our little snow left us with 8" of the white stuff. But between the sucky OEM tires and being lowered, my box was stuck (high centered) in my lower driveway.
Def have to look at something better for snow use.

TrevorS

iTrader: (1)

I was on the road a couple days after a little melting and managed to hit a trough across the lane where the macadam had broken up . Fortunately, I pumped up my low tires (25 psi) a couple days before, and so although the rear suspension bottomed (mild Eibach Prokit drop), neither tires nor aftermarket rims were damaged. Watch out for potholes guys !

We're supposed to have more snow round the middle of this week, but I may wing it, my driveway still isn't ice free enough for safe wheel changing.

afterlifespecialist

I second this! Goodyear's are garbage in the snow. I'm not a huge fan of Goodyear's to begin with, and the OEM tires on the xB sure haven't convinced me to change my opinion.