Topic: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE FWD Winter Tires For Toronto Area

[stemfi]

I am looking for some help in selecting winter tires.  Mostly city driving, will probably only drive 5000-7000 Km for the 5 month winter period in Toronto (as I understand it the tires will probably break down in 5 years or so, so tread life shouldn't be an issue?).  Based on the APA recommendations I've narrowed it down to:

Yokohama Geolandar I/T Rated 98Q
Yokohama Ice Guard 10 Rated 98Q
Michelin Pilot Alpin Rated 98H
Michelin X-Ice Rated 98Q
Dunlop Winter Sport M3 Rated 98H

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[Craig]

Had the Michelin Pilot Alpins on a Windstar.  Not that great in deep snow.  Especially as it's not exactly inexpensive, I'd strike it off the list.

[morty]

Do you have 16" or 17" OE wheels?

[stemfi]

Do you have 16" or 17" OE wheels?

I have 16" wheels.

[morty]

Well you can either run 215/65/16 or the little wider 225/60/16 size. If you are mostly city and the Sienna is a massively heavy van would steer you towards H-rated winters. They offer a more rigid casing(sidewall) and better high-speed stability for highway commuting. They also are more adept at carrying the heavy weight of the vehicle. Less tread squirm will mean the vehicle feels more stable. That would narrow your list to the Dunlop Sport M3 and Michelin Pilot Alpin2. Both are wonderful tires. M3 gives better deep snow performance and the Michelin will offer better stability. Both wonderful tires. Here is a link for a bunch of options:

<A Href="http://www.tiretrends.com/wheel2/iuc_pview/winterFinder.php?model=2827&year=2005&tireSize=16">16" Winter Tires - 2005 Toyota Sienna LE FWD</A>

[FrostyCarbon]

I have Nokian Hakkapallitas Q on my '04 Sienna, and they've been great.  215/65/16.  Had them mounted on Core Racing 5-star alloys from Kal-tire.
This will be the 3rd winter and they still have lots of life yet.

[stemfi]

Well you can either run 215/65/16 or the little wider 225/60/16 size. If you are mostly city and the Sienna is a massively heavy van would steer you towards H-rated winters. They offer a more rigid casing(sidewall) and better high-speed stability for highway commuting. They also are more adept at carrying the heavy weight of the vehicle. Less tread squirm will mean the vehicle feels more stable. That would narrow your list to the Dunlop Sport M3 and Michelin Pilot Alpin2. Both are wonderful tires. M3 gives better deep snow performance and the Michelin will offer better stability. Both wonderful tires. Here is a link for a bunch of options:

<A Href="http://www.tiretrends.com/wheel2/iuc_pview/winterFinder.php?model=2827&year=2005&tireSize=16">16" Winter Tires - 2005 Toyota Sienna LE FWD</A>

I received the following reply from Michelin, which recommends the X-Ice - now I'm totally confused:

"Thank you for visiting our Web site and sending us your e-mail.   We
would recommend the X-Ice.  The Pilot Alpin PA2 is more of a sporty winter
radial designed for ultra high performance cars.   The X-ice is more
suitable for your vehicle as it is geared for SUV's, minivans and light trucks."