Hey Rene thanks for the info about how the V handles in the snow--I'm
jealous. Anyway, do you have snow tires on it or just the originals?
Do any of you have any opinion on the Nokian line of snow tires? How
do you think they compare with the Bridgestone blizaaks and other
more popular brands? Cheers.

I believe I have Bridgestone WinterFires on my V. 4 studded winter tires... I am kinda old school there and I refuse to put the Blizzak/Alpin type of tires on my vehicle. I like the bite of metal into ice and the neat marks they make when you do doughnuts on ice! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
 
It's also pretty neat to see someone burning rubber at night with studded tires... look at them sparks fly!!!
 
 

I put a set of Nokian tires Hakka 1?s
without studs on my wife?s 2000 CR-V. They have been fantastic in the
snow and ice. I would defiantly opt for the studded version if I could.

 

I have used Blizzaks in the past, they have been excellent as well. I think the Nokian?s
are noisier than the Blizzaks.

 

Jeffrey D. Cox

 

Thanks all for the info on the snow tires. I have heard that the
Nokians are the best available, and of course one wants the best for
the Minnesotan winter. Any info is greatly appreciated. I would love
to have the studs for the added traction, but I would just feel that
every time I drove on dry roads I would be ruining my tires. Should
you not buy studded tires if you live in the city, say Minneapolis?

Hey N_Jay1 thanks for the 2 inch tow hitch info. I look forward to
hearing how the install goes, as I may go the same route. What's the
brand?

Will update everyone on the hitch as soon as I receive it and install
it.
Curt Mfg < http://www.curtmfg.com > is the only company I found
making a 2" receiver for the 2002 CR-V.
They only sell through dealers. I used a company called Hitch-Web <
http://www.hitch-web.com >. They were very helpfull on the phone and
by email.
I looked at installation instructions for the Honda and all the
aftermarket hitchs I could find.
I liked the Honda best (got to see it on a CR-V at the Auto Show) for
the 1 1/4" hitches. It is a clean looking hitch, and attaches to
substantial points on the car.
Several of the aftermarket hitches seemed to attach wherever was
convinient.
The Curt 2" hitch attaches in the same place as the Honda hitch, but
actually connects to less body metal, although it does have a higher
tongue and trailer weight rating (Go figure?).
The Curt hitch also looks like you will be able to see the crossbar
below the rear bumper. Not as clean a look as the Honda hitch, but
the only choice for a 2" receiver.

As for snow tires, some of the Range Rover / Land Rover people have
told me that the Nokians are the best, almost without exception.
Watch out for using studs, as they are not legal in some states.

I bought Toyo Observe X-10's (now replaced with an even better Observe G-02plus) 2 winters ago and I have no complaints. They are great on snow and ice, and pretty good even on dry pavement, with probably a bit less road noise than the stock Firestones. I stayed away from the Blizzaks because the siping (which is what makes winter tires so good in the snow), only goes about 50% of the way through the tread, so after 50% of wear, the tires effectively become all-season tires. If I am to pay for winter tires, they better be good for winter driving for it's maximum treadlife. A friend has Michelin Arctic Alpins on his Civic Si and he swears by them, but they really whine loudly on dry and wet pavement.

My mechanic said to get the Michelin Arctic Alpine. He said they were the best all around winter tire. Good on ice and snow and good on dry and wet pavement. I've also heard some good things about Toyo's, but I don't know anybody that has them. Stephen

I recommend Michelin Arctic Alpins. They often go on sale at Canadian Tire. I run them on my stock rims in 185/65/15 size. They ride fairly quiet (except when wet). Are comfy, pretty good snow/ice traction. I heard Blizzaks have winter tire rubber for only the first half of the depth. So that once you get half way, they become like regular all-seasons. Some others here also swear by the Toyo winter tires.

So, if you were to mount the winter rubber on your stock rims, I suppose you will be getting aftermarket rims for spring/summer of next year? (i.e. I hope you're not thinking of swapping the winter rubber OFF the stock rims next year, just to put on spring/summer rubber. I bought the Michelin Arctic Alpins based on feedback here.... I would not recommend doing the two front tires route... I did that this past winter, because of a freak snowfall near the end of the season, and had no tools/garage to mount the tires (I had to mount my friggen tires on the public road!! I was driving up some small streets, and the snow was ABSOLUTELY rock hard. The snow was at least 4-5 inches high, and you could only drive where the two tire grooves are in the snow (everything else was rock hard). Everything had a thick layer of ice on it. With my back stock tires, I was extremely tail happy, and it was darned scary. All 4 corners winter rubber, or take the bus :)

> Everything had a thick layer of ice on it. With my back > stock tires, I was extremely tail happy, and it was darned scary. Yeah, mixing and matching tires is a very bad idea, don't do it. If you have to do it in a pinch, the tires with higher traction level should go on the REAR, not the front. Understeer is easier to deal with than oversteer. The same rule also applies in the summer. Different tires front and back will earn you a trip to the collision reporting center after heavy rainfall.

Which is true, but having superior traction in the front and weaker traction in the rear can lead to oversteering problems, which could be very fatal. Which makes putting a pair of winter tires on either the front or rear less than ideal.

Hey, thanks for all the feedback. I am going to check out the Michelins and the Toyos. Thanks klam for the heads up on the CDN tire special. I'll go check it out. Yeah, I'm going to get some rims next summer for summer rubber. This way I have an excuse with my wife.

I just went on the web to check out prices for the Artic Alpin. Canadian Tire's website lists the tires at $101.14 per tire (from $118.99) for 185/65R15 (I think that's the correct tire size for the 1.7). I think that's a pretty good deal. Isn't this too early for snow tires though? It's only the beginning of October. Does it matter if I get them now and mounted? I just get more 'road' noise?

The price includes balancing and mounting, so you can buy them now and then make an appointment in November to install them. I was at Costco and I asked this question and they said you can do that. BTW, they have the Arctic Alpins at $118.99 as well, but in October, if you buy a set of four, they'll take off $50. Crappy Tire is still cheaper, but I try to avoid their mechanics at all costs. Stephen

To tell you the truth, I find the Arctic Alpins quieter than the Firestones when I had them. Winter tires have softer rubber, and will wear quicker on dry pavement.