I just bought a 2002 CRV. I live in snowy, icy country of South
Dakota. I am finding the tires that came with it (Did everyone get
the Bridgestone All Weather radials--I am accustomed to Goodyear--any
history on these tires) are not agressive enough for the snowpacked
roads I live on--I found myself slipping off to the side of the road.
(I didn't do that last year with my fwd Nissan Quest with studded
snow tires. So, I think I need to go get a set of snows--but haven't
driven on icy, wet or snow-packed pavement yet and wonder if anyone
has any comments on tires? Any experience changing the size of tires
it takes (only one size the 205 70 R15 and I have studded snows that
are 215 75R 15)?

Your report of how the car handles on snow is very interesting. One
of the primary reasons for me to buy a new CRV is for driving on snowy
roads. If you get new snow tires be sure to write back and let us now
how they work. I am thinking of getting a set of steel wheels with
snow tires.

I have 215 75R 15's on mine (Michelin X one all season radials). The slightly
wider tire suits the look of the 'V - it subtly gives it a more stable
and aggressive appearance.

Rod,

I would be interested in what they told you when you changed the tire
size--at least the Honda dealership--did they do it or did you have a
tire place do this? Anyone else using this size of tire? Why did you
opt for the 215 75R's instead of the original 205 70R's?

Got Bridgestone on one and BFGoodrich on the other.

AB

I live in Canada and I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta 1 during winter time. They
are amazing! People use these tires for winter rally racing. You can have
them with/without studs. I've never used the studded ones, the studless ones
are doing the job just fine. They come in the same size as the OEM tires on
the V: 205/70 R15. Their website is:

http://www.nokian.com

I have a set of Hakka 1's on my '89 CRX. I have run Hakka 9's, 10's,
and 1's. I like the 1's the best!!!

Yes, they are amazing, and rallyist folk do swear by them!! Did I
mention that I've done a bunch of rallying in the past??

David Miller
dmiller@...
'89 CRX DX, white, 186K miles
'90 CRX Si, yellow, 46K miles
'99 CR-V EX, white, 102K miles

I wish I had a Nokian dealer close by--I have learned a lot about this
subject in the past few days. I first checked out the Blizzak, but
realized that it may not be for our gravel roads, deep snow--but more
for compacted, highway driving--the gravel will get into the grooves
and tear up the tread that does the studless gripping, so I found that
all the is available in my area are Cooper WinterMaster or
Weathermaster or Sears Winterhandler--all basically the same tire,
except the Weathermaster has a different tread than the Wintermaster +
which has a zig zag and I had this, studded, on my FWD Nissan Quest
last year and I got through drifts that some 4X4's couldn't get
through--I had the power and the weight, even if not the clearance.
So with the Honda, I ought to have the power, the cleearance, if not
the weight and just needs the grip, which it seems the studs will help
with, but need to decide which tread to stud -- the Nokian looks
great, but no dealers for 250 miles.

Anybody have anything on the Cooper Wintermasters? I just don't know
how they wear on regular highway driving. Sears Winterhandlers are
reasonably priced but my Sears doesn't do studding! Thanks for the
feedback--

Pat

There's not a dealer near to me either. I order mine, and take them to
the local tire store and have them mount/balance them for me....

If you go to the Nokian web site, you'll find a list of dealers. I've
always had good luck with G&G in Wisconsin. Very friendly, always
helpful!

David