I have a set on our Bolt 22. They have been great. All wheel drive helps you go, but snow tires help you STOP! And they help you turn. In my humble opinion stopping is more important than going.
I'm reminded precisely why I don't live in a part of the country where snow is an issue. Here in Georgia, we have a couple of inches of snow a couple of times each winter, and it melts away in a day or two. Which is definitely a good thing, because nobody around here knows how to drive in it. And I have the good sense to just stay home.
But being in a nice warm cab watching the snowy landscape go by feels awesome 😄 Agreed though, if people don't understand the change of traction, better to stay off the road, mainly for others safety!
I used to buy the “whatever” winter tires as living on the “Wet Coast” of Canada they were rarely needed. Now with a family I have had Nokians for 5 years and can’t believe how good they’ve been with driving to the snow packed interior about 360km each way to and from a job site over mountain passes with all kinds of bad winter weather and ice. -40C at times and they just kept pulling me along almost like it was regular roads. Right now it’s about $400/year for them and they have lots of tread still so that’ll come down. (About $2K with steel rims when I got them-pricey but worth it to me). Thanks for all the good work to the whole team.
I have a set of studded Hakkapeliitta’s on my i30 but that’s because i live on the Åland Islands here in Finland. Most winters have several periods of where the temperature swings around the freezing point causing the snow on the roads to turn to ice and stay there. It’s much easier to climb the steep icy hills near my home with the studded tyres providing grip.
Those are the best winter tires period. It's much cheaper to use these tires than to deal with the cost of an accident. My mechanic was stunned at the breaking performance I had on the car when he test drove it.
People who think all-wheel-drive is a substitute for proper traction always forget about BRAKING traction. A 4WD and 2WD vehicle are exactly the same when they are trying to stop. Let’s not even talk about the LATERAL traction that keeps you from going around in circles every time you turn a corner.
Yeah. People who say they don't need winter tires, because say for example 4wd. Well have you considered this thing called.... stopping. All 4 wheels brake. Both in 4wd and 2wd cars. All 4wd allows is getting to trouble faster, if one is careless. If one has 4wd and winter tires, then that allows one also say climb steep mountain roads, that are iced over. Gives more power. Without winter tires one can pretty literally go sliding hundreds of meters longer on iced over road or more likely on road not being conveniently perfectly straight at that spot.... one is in the ditch and deep. Since one probably went into it, still carrying multiple tens of kph of speed. Some illuminating footage about what happens on ice and snow on not being able to stop in time ua-cam.com/video/gVTUHkFO95M/v-deo.html I don't think people used to dry warm roads or even say wet warm roads understand exactly how terrifyingly out of control car can go on ice on summer tire. Since it isn't normal "Oh the tire slipped, I slide". Nope the rubber stiffens, turns into hard plastic kind and now one is sliding essentially on hard plastic skates on top of ice. One literally has less surface area. Since tires provide grip by molding to the surface. Rubber freezes, they stay more like perfect circles and one has just the tiny patchs of touching surface to road. Touching surface, which in itself grips less per surface area That is why one needs separate dedicated winter tires. The core rubber compound is different. The tire stays pliable and as summer tires in summer, deforms to squash against the road surface to provide more grip area. After that comes all of the more siping, having grip crystals embedded in rubber (essentially the tire has sand paper like surface) and so on. It is the difference between "you stopped" or "you have a high speed collision with something on not being able to stop". For example I have seen video cases of people overshooting traffic lights on ice even at relatively slow speed on not being to able to stop, straight into green light traffic and getting T-boned by that full speed traffic. Don't play with your lives people, get proper tires. if you don't have money for them, get a cheaper car so you have enough left over to afford proper tires. If one lives in cold region it just is item to budget, "Okay if I buy this car it's, this much per month loan payment. Then every 3 or 4 years I need to buy set of winter tires, so that is 1k $ every 3 years. Insurance payment this much, electricity this much, regular maintenance this much. Can I afford all of this or must I get car with smaller monthly instalment to afford all the ancillary, but necessary, costs."
On the "AWD vs proper winter tires" - there really is a huge difference. We had a BMW i3 with Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires. Tall skinny tires - only 155 width. On a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. We also had an older Subaru Forester with AWD, on 215 width "high quality all-weather tires that were snow-rated" (Vredestein Quatrac) The BMW handled conditions like you (and I) faced this last week *FAR* better than the Subaru.
I was interested in those tires, but the amount of snow we get in Western Washington even in the foothills where I am doesn't justify the expense for me. If I moved to one of the areas I am considering, I would probably get a set of extra rims to put those tires on. The worst thing I normally encounter is the black ice from the daily freeze thaw cycle and over time I realize that weight of the vehicle has a huge benefit to traction, then obviously traction control is a game changer and I think often makes AWD unnecessary. Then the extra grip of tires made for the purpose is really big, but having sailed effortlessly past giant SUV's with all the bells and whistles as they spin an pirouette into guardrails and ditches, I think driver error plays a huge part as well.
I'd estimate that half of Finnish vehicles are wearing Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires since they are designed for Finnish weather (and we Finns ilke to use Finnish products). I have studded winter tires from Nokian in my bicycle. ;)
In the metro area Nokian WRG4 are great on my MINI SE. Minimal impact on winter range, can still drive it like a MINI, perfect for a mostly cold and wet winter. The 1-2 winter events we get always turn to ice where a traction aid (or properly managed snow response) is what you want. You could run them all year, but they really are a winter that will tolerate summer, not the usual other way around.
A few years ago, was planning to drive to Geneva in March from the UK to the Geneva Motorshow, trying to follow the route the E-types took in the 60's. When i went to get some, it was actually snowing in the UK. Tyre dealer questioned why i wanted winter tires, as it wasn't really worth it in the UK for the amount of snow we got. Explained what i wanted to do, but turns out they didn't have the size in needed in stock. 5 minutes later I was back in the shop, needed his help to get out of his car park as it was to snowy and i was stuck in a drift🙂
Wait, what?! 2.1miles/kWh is really good, isn't it?! Not sure why but I expected less than that when so cold.... Maybe I'm used to more freeway 60-75mph efficiency? Where 2.0miles/kWh is about average +/- 0.2 either way. Absolutely spot on that your sneakers (tyres) make a massive difference. Don't wear your dress shoes or tap shoes to work on the farm, for example...
@@Dularr shrugs, I guess I don't notice, because I don't pay that much attention to channels that don't report actual consumption data and enough context to make it meaningful?
Interesting topic. I have the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-v2 on my F150 4x4 (not a lightning, still on the fence), we have lived in central Ontario and now in Cape Breton, found them better than the Michelin X-Ice for packed snow and ice. No studs. Friend with similar F150 has the Nokian as you, finds them great in the snow. Thanks for the “test drive”.
The Hakkapeliittas ar'e an excellent tire, but they are not magic. I had a set on a VW Jetta front wheel drive and (stupidly) went down a non maintained winter road (in rural Canada) The road was glare ice from a freezing rain storm that had coated it since the last time I used the road. I almost made it but my neighbour's son had left the rear end of his pickup sticking out on the shoulder where I was trying to get some traction. I hit the truck bumper at the wrong height and at 15 km hr. wrote off the Jetta because it cleared off the entire top end of the motor, injectors, relevant pumps and alternators and pushed the hood through the windshield. Oops! I have also had Michelin "Blizzak" tires and would rate them close if not equal to the Hakkapeliitta. The trouble with all soft rubber tires is that when they wear through the 'gummy' rubber about half way the rubber that is left is harder and does not give the same ice performance.
Definitely going to be getting Hakkas for my Rivian for next winter. Was really hoping that the stock Pirellis (which are "3 Peak Mountain Snowflake" rated,) would be sufficient. They haven't. They did fine through "packed snow," but the ice this last week caused a few seriously worrying moments.
I have the same tires on my (now redundant) Ram 1500 and will switch them over to my Lightning for next winter. I've had the Lightning since end of December and been driving on the OEM all seasons and they actually aren't toooooo bad in the snow, I assume because the tires are brand spanking new. That said, when it was really snowy I took the Ram. Loving the Lightning!
Thank you for the video. I have R5s on all out vehicles , finally got the RR fives for my lightning. They’ve been on backorder. Your video makes me feel a little better about forking out that kind of money.
I use studs on the Nokians and live in the same area, in the mountains of the Coast Range as well. Good tires for grip - I even pulled a Honda with summer tires up an 8% grade with them. Your Ford Lightning is 4WD... I do take issue with 4WD not making a difference...that's rubbish. It's all about coefficient of friction, which is lower in snow and the same Nokian tires on a 2WD exert half the propulsive force as a 4WD. The Nokians have higher friction than other tires it seems, which is good. Another point for 4WD is when you are driving IN material vs on it. Deep snow on an unplowed road or long driveway means a 2WD it pushing on a wheel chock of snow in front of the non-driven tires vs 4WD that pulls the chock under itself. As far as not using studs in mountains? Been there, done that...on ice (not packed now like you were driving on) on a hill, rubber does nothing but put you in the trees when gravity grabs you on a grade. Nokian or otherwise. If you're a flatlander, studs are arguably not necessary if you slow down and give yourself stopping distance. You'll find this out for yourself the next time we get freezing rain, Nikki. The best advice for driving in the stuff? Don't - unless absolutely necessary. Work/school are grey zones on necessity. Food, medical emergency are. Visiting friends? Not.
I have Hakkapeliita R3 tires on my Gen 1 Volt, and they have been great in the snow. They’re also very efficient, only slightly less efficient than the OEM Goodyear energy savers. The R3s are actually more efficient than the Nokian 1 Tires I replaced the Goodyears with. I have not felt the need for AWD with these tires on my Volt. Also, I know for sure from experience that my Volt with snow tires is better than AWD with all season tires.
Appreciate the info, IMO, tires are as important as 4-wheel drive. More bad news for Ford, apparently many customers have walked away from their Mach-E & F-150 Lightning vehicles leaving them at the dealership. If true, prices will have to decline.
Interesting video as ever. We live in western France, which most of the time is warm and sunny. Occasionally we drive up into mountains French/Spanish boarder, so we tend to use snow chains when we hit snow. I would say they are a lot cheaper, but tricky to install, but as we only use them once every couple of years, it is an OK compromise.
100% agree. Nokian are the best. You can have the best car in the world but if you cheap out on tires it won’t matter. I’ve recommended them for years. Make sure you take them off in the summer. They become a little too supple and cause more drag and wear than you want.
Nokian makes a great winter tire, but personally I have never needed winter tires. My Ram 1500 has the stock all weather tires on it and I have driven through 18 inches of snow with no problem. I drove my former Chevy Silverado through 24" of snow on all weather tires with no issues either although I did shift down to low range. Of course I have an accessory on my trucks that makes that possible - A Fisher snow plow.
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires on my Tesla Model 3. I have not done any testing about range, but range is ...umm... bad in the winter. Combo of heating and winter tires. They are steady on the road for 4 winters so far.
Great review video, very timely! And Wow, RESPECT to your wife! That was a hardcore road trip in the winter ice storm! Thanks for the very interesting video. I always wonder when talking about tires: how are they in terms of toxic UV inhibitor chemicals that are eradicating stream life? Thanks for all you do, and IAN!
Wipers ‘skipping’: Have used a washer fluid (mfg’r Salem, Ore.) called 20/10 for the past 40 years that, seemingly, ‘lubricates’ the blades to give a smooth and streak-free sweep across the glass. Available at O’Reilly Auto. Get the concentrate for summer use and the winter mix separately. This is from Bill in Tsawwassen, BC.
@@transportevolved - if you ‘coat’ the glass, it will of course cause ‘beading’ (water droplets)… which I find terrible for night driving in the rain. 20/10 smooths the drops for clear vision. Personal choice.
In better weather, we find the opposite. Although the water beads, it streaks off the screen so quickly you don't even need wipers sometimes. I wonder if we're using different products? - Nikki.
@@transportevolved I had our EV's ceramic coated which included doing the glass. NOT the windscreen though for reason night driving in rain (where water beads will turn one pair of headlights into 20,000 little headlights). Tried Rainex once (and couldn't get that stuff off the windscreen fast enough; again.. night vision impaired by water beading on the glass). The ceramcs installer got my point. My friend likes 'beading' of raindrops on the screen; I personally hate it
Good video. If you want this rando on the internet's suggestion I've been happy with the CrossClimate2s I got for my Bolt. Here in Colorado it'll often go from 60f and sunny to 6f with a foot of snow on the ground and back within a few days so all season tires with good snow rating are helpful. They were about $600 for all 4 at one of those member only big box stores. I drive Denver to Pueblo and back a couple times a month. Including when it was well below 0F before Turkey day and Christmas and did fine. The road noise is higher than the stock tires, but overall the Bolt is still quieter than my old Subaru. I can't speak to any efficiency loss with them, I replaced the stock tires within a month of buying the Bolt, the previous owner had worn them down pretty much bald. I get 3-3.5mi/kWh highway and over 4 city in comfortable weather. My most recent trip to Denver I got 4 going there, and 3 coming back. I pretty much don't slip unless I'm trying to, but that comes as much from years of experience driving in snow without traction control or even ABS in my old 'Roos as it does from the nice tires.
Love your show and your knowledge. My only concern is your stuffys are in your field of vision. A good stuffy parent would provide a bed on the back seat where they and the public are safer.
Should I move to or drive anywhere that snows hard every year, I will think of Nokian Hakkapeliitta. In Ireland a proper snow happens every so 4 - 10 years; but with this changing climate and weakening polar vortex, it could snow well into the summer and then disappear altogether. So... But it's black Ice that's always a danger 🚙⚡🔋🔌 Hoping that automakers can realise that there's a demand for the perfect balance of Truck practicality and efficiency. Full size as the only option no matter the fuel source simply limited the choice for vehicles that lasts for years to come in the used market. A car that will the ultimate and Accessible workhorse for North Americans will be an EV or PHEV of the Ford Maverick, Ranger or something even smaller like the EV-Ranger of the 2000s; or whatever Dodge can do with the Chrysler Pacifica drivetrain. Only God knows why Toyota simply didn't try making a Prius Truck PRIME. 😠
Love the thorough info and journalistic integrity on this channel but please be a tad more careful about inaccurate information. 9:07 only endotherms (like mammals) feel the effects of wind chill, inanimate objects (like snow) certainly don't. Physics...
AWD gives more then just power, it gives better traction when accelerating. this is simply because instead of 2 tires trying to pull/push you along you got all 4 which doubles the amount of force you can apply before said tires start to slip. tires help but it's really about the driver, if you drive like shit...well expect to be in the ditch or smacking into another vehicle.
Even if the traction in acceleration is better in an AWD the braking is the same as in a FWD or a RWD. Don’t get too over confident on the grip going foreward, you need to be able to break and stear without putting yourself or others at risk. On snow and ice AWD with winter tyres (preferably studded if possible).
So you have come over to the dark side, and now you are a truck person Welcome to the club. Here is your card. You will now be expected to have or to own some of item of clothing with the brand name of Your truck somewhere. As an alternate, it can be another form of merch. It could be a simple can koozie or coaster. It is going to have to be a Ford or similar logo. Your dues will be paying extra for everything. You know, tires, charging costs, licensing, insurance. Don't worry. It comes with perks also. You will meet new people who will befriend you once they know you own a truck. Old acquaintances will seek you out and re-establish connections. You now sit higher and can see ahead better during high traffic situations. You no longer have to worry if you have enough room on trips for groceries or furniture. You are able to tow 80 percent of things people need to put on a trailer. Your own limitation is if you have a big enough truck. Will, be expecting to see you at the next RV park or truck rally. Enjoy your membership. P. S. Ignore the looks and taunts from the truck haters, it is a truck thing, and they just don't get it.
I come across two types of truck owners: those who need a truck to carry stuff and those who think they are a ball magnifier. The latter usually have high clearance trucks with oversize ti(y)res and never get them (the truck) dirty.
You know that we don't have the sort of weather that you describe in the UK and that 'winter tyres' (spelling!) are not really a thing. But did you make this episode just because you love saying 'Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUVs'? I just want to hear it with a Norfolk accent please
![Best Winter Tires 2025 [Don’t BUY One Before Watching This]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mO06IexFUM4/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a set on our Bolt 22. They have been great. All wheel drive helps you go, but snow tires help you STOP! And they help you turn. In my humble opinion stopping is more important than going.
I'm reminded precisely why I don't live in a part of the country where snow is an issue. Here in Georgia, we have a couple of inches of snow a couple of times each winter, and it melts away in a day or two. Which is definitely a good thing, because nobody around here knows how to drive in it.
And I have the good sense to just stay home.
But being in a nice warm cab watching the snowy landscape go by feels awesome 😄
Agreed though, if people don't understand the change of traction, better to stay off the road, mainly for others safety!
I mean, if you're the type of person who's welcome in Georgia, that works out I guess.
*splutters coffee* be nice to James! ;)- Nikki
@@james.telfer it stays a winter wonderland for about 15 minutes. Then ice.
Something about Nikki driving and talking about EVs just feels so calming ❤
I used to buy the “whatever” winter tires as living on the “Wet Coast” of Canada they were rarely needed. Now with a family I have had Nokians for 5 years and can’t believe how good they’ve been with driving to the snow packed interior about 360km each way to and from a job site over mountain passes with all kinds of bad winter weather and ice. -40C at times and they just kept pulling me along almost like it was regular roads. Right now it’s about $400/year for them and they have lots of tread still so that’ll come down. (About $2K with steel rims when I got them-pricey but worth it to me).
Thanks for all the good work to the whole team.
I have a set of studded Hakkapeliitta’s on my i30 but that’s because i live on the Åland Islands here in Finland.
Most winters have several periods of where the temperature swings around the freezing point causing the snow on the roads to turn to ice and stay there.
It’s much easier to climb the steep icy hills near my home with the studded tyres providing grip.
Those are the best winter tires period. It's much cheaper to use these tires than to deal with the cost of an accident. My mechanic was stunned at the breaking performance I had on the car when he test drove it.
Thoroughly enjoyed the episode, the experience, and seeing the weather conditions you put the tires and truck through.
People who think all-wheel-drive is a substitute for proper traction always forget about BRAKING traction. A 4WD and 2WD vehicle are exactly the same when they are trying to stop. Let’s not even talk about the LATERAL traction that keeps you from going around in circles every time you turn a corner.
IF you need them, good winter tires are *priceless*.
Good winter tires - help you steer, and stop. AWD can't help with those.
Yeah. People who say they don't need winter tires, because say for example 4wd. Well have you considered this thing called.... stopping. All 4 wheels brake. Both in 4wd and 2wd cars. All 4wd allows is getting to trouble faster, if one is careless. If one has 4wd and winter tires, then that allows one also say climb steep mountain roads, that are iced over. Gives more power.
Without winter tires one can pretty literally go sliding hundreds of meters longer on iced over road or more likely on road not being conveniently perfectly straight at that spot.... one is in the ditch and deep. Since one probably went into it, still carrying multiple tens of kph of speed.
Some illuminating footage about what happens on ice and snow on not being able to stop in time ua-cam.com/video/gVTUHkFO95M/v-deo.html
I don't think people used to dry warm roads or even say wet warm roads understand exactly how terrifyingly out of control car can go on ice on summer tire. Since it isn't normal "Oh the tire slipped, I slide". Nope the rubber stiffens, turns into hard plastic kind and now one is sliding essentially on hard plastic skates on top of ice. One literally has less surface area. Since tires provide grip by molding to the surface. Rubber freezes, they stay more like perfect circles and one has just the tiny patchs of touching surface to road. Touching surface, which in itself grips less per surface area
That is why one needs separate dedicated winter tires. The core rubber compound is different. The tire stays pliable and as summer tires in summer, deforms to squash against the road surface to provide more grip area. After that comes all of the more siping, having grip crystals embedded in rubber (essentially the tire has sand paper like surface) and so on.
It is the difference between "you stopped" or "you have a high speed collision with something on not being able to stop". For example I have seen video cases of people overshooting traffic lights on ice even at relatively slow speed on not being to able to stop, straight into green light traffic and getting T-boned by that full speed traffic.
Don't play with your lives people, get proper tires. if you don't have money for them, get a cheaper car so you have enough left over to afford proper tires. If one lives in cold region it just is item to budget, "Okay if I buy this car it's, this much per month loan payment. Then every 3 or 4 years I need to buy set of winter tires, so that is 1k $ every 3 years. Insurance payment this much, electricity this much, regular maintenance this much. Can I afford all of this or must I get car with smaller monthly instalment to afford all the ancillary, but necessary, costs."
On the "AWD vs proper winter tires" - there really is a huge difference.
We had a BMW i3 with Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires. Tall skinny tires - only 155 width. On a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
We also had an older Subaru Forester with AWD, on 215 width "high quality all-weather tires that were snow-rated" (Vredestein Quatrac)
The BMW handled conditions like you (and I) faced this last week *FAR* better than the Subaru.
I was interested in those tires, but the amount of snow we get in Western Washington even in the foothills where I am doesn't justify the expense for me. If I moved to one of the areas I am considering, I would probably get a set of extra rims to put those tires on.
The worst thing I normally encounter is the black ice from the daily freeze thaw cycle and over time I realize that weight of the vehicle has a huge benefit to traction, then obviously traction control is a game changer and I think often makes AWD unnecessary. Then the extra grip of tires made for the purpose is really big, but having sailed effortlessly past giant SUV's with all the bells and whistles as they spin an pirouette into guardrails and ditches, I think driver error plays a huge part as well.
I'd estimate that half of Finnish vehicles are wearing Nokian Hakkapeliitta winter tires since they are designed for Finnish weather (and we Finns ilke to use Finnish products). I have studded winter tires from Nokian in my bicycle. ;)
One day I’d love to see their HQ -Nikki
I got a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires and they have been excellent on my Bolt EUV.
In the metro area Nokian WRG4 are great on my MINI SE. Minimal impact on winter range, can still drive it like a MINI, perfect for a mostly cold and wet winter. The 1-2 winter events we get always turn to ice where a traction aid (or properly managed snow response) is what you want. You could run them all year, but they really are a winter that will tolerate summer, not the usual other way around.
A few years ago, was planning to drive to Geneva in March from the UK to the Geneva Motorshow, trying to follow the route the E-types took in the 60's. When i went to get some, it was actually snowing in the UK. Tyre dealer questioned why i wanted winter tires, as it wasn't really worth it in the UK for the amount of snow we got. Explained what i wanted to do, but turns out they didn't have the size in needed in stock. 5 minutes later I was back in the shop, needed his help to get out of his car park as it was to snowy and i was stuck in a drift🙂
Nikki -> Nikkian -> Nokian
Coincidence?! I think not!
Kidding of course, good video as always, thanks for staying honest.
Wait, what?!
2.1miles/kWh is really good, isn't it?! Not sure why but I expected less than that when so cold....
Maybe I'm used to more freeway 60-75mph efficiency? Where 2.0miles/kWh is about average +/- 0.2 either way.
Absolutely spot on that your sneakers (tyres) make a massive difference. Don't wear your dress shoes or tap shoes to work on the farm, for example...
Notice the channels that bash the range do everything from estimated range.
@@Dularr shrugs, I guess I don't notice, because I don't pay that much attention to channels that don't report actual consumption data and enough context to make it meaningful?
From first principles, wind chill won't cool frozen water any further. Only warm and wet tings/people will experience evaporative cooling.
Great review, keep up the good work!
Interesting topic. I have the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-v2 on my F150 4x4 (not a lightning, still on the fence), we have lived in central Ontario and now in Cape Breton, found them better than the Michelin X-Ice for packed snow and ice. No studs. Friend with similar F150 has the Nokian as you, finds them great in the snow. Thanks for the “test drive”.
The Hakkapeliittas ar'e an excellent tire, but they are not magic. I had a set on a VW Jetta front wheel drive and (stupidly) went down a non maintained winter road (in rural Canada) The road was glare ice from a freezing rain storm that had coated it since the last time I used the road. I almost made it but my neighbour's son had left the rear end of his pickup sticking out on the shoulder where I was trying to get some traction. I hit the truck bumper at the wrong height and at 15 km hr. wrote off the Jetta because it cleared off the entire top end of the motor, injectors, relevant pumps and alternators and pushed the hood through the windshield. Oops! I have also had Michelin "Blizzak" tires and would rate them close if not equal to the Hakkapeliitta. The trouble with all soft rubber tires is that when they wear through the 'gummy' rubber about half way the rubber that is left is harder and does not give the same ice performance.
Definitely going to be getting Hakkas for my Rivian for next winter. Was really hoping that the stock Pirellis (which are "3 Peak Mountain Snowflake" rated,) would be sufficient. They haven't. They did fine through "packed snow," but the ice this last week caused a few seriously worrying moments.
Tires make so much difference in the snow. We haven't had much snow here in Olympia this year.
Great job!
I have the same tires on my (now redundant) Ram 1500 and will switch them over to my Lightning for next winter. I've had the Lightning since end of December and been driving on the OEM all seasons and they actually aren't toooooo bad in the snow, I assume because the tires are brand spanking new. That said, when it was really snowy I took the Ram. Loving the Lightning!
Thank you for the video. I have R5s on all out vehicles , finally got the RR fives for my lightning. They’ve been on backorder. Your video makes me feel a little better about forking out that kind of money.
I use studs on the Nokians and live in the same area, in the mountains of the Coast Range as well. Good tires for grip - I even pulled a Honda with summer tires up an 8% grade with them. Your Ford Lightning is 4WD...
I do take issue with 4WD not making a difference...that's rubbish. It's all about coefficient of friction, which is lower in snow and the same Nokian tires on a 2WD exert half the propulsive force as a 4WD. The Nokians have higher friction than other tires it seems, which is good. Another point for 4WD is when you are driving IN material vs on it. Deep snow on an unplowed road or long driveway means a 2WD it pushing on a wheel chock of snow in front of the non-driven tires vs 4WD that pulls the chock under itself. As far as not using studs in mountains? Been there, done that...on ice (not packed now like you were driving on) on a hill, rubber does nothing but put you in the trees when gravity grabs you on a grade. Nokian or otherwise. If you're a flatlander, studs are arguably not necessary if you slow down and give yourself stopping distance. You'll find this out for yourself the next time we get freezing rain, Nikki.
The best advice for driving in the stuff? Don't - unless absolutely necessary. Work/school are grey zones on necessity. Food, medical emergency are. Visiting friends? Not.
Thank you
Thanks for your content. The most well informed and intelligent out there!
I have Hakkapeliita R3 tires on my Gen 1 Volt, and they have been great in the snow. They’re also very efficient, only slightly less efficient than the OEM Goodyear energy savers. The R3s are actually more efficient than the Nokian 1 Tires I replaced the Goodyears with. I have not felt the need for AWD with these tires on my Volt. Also, I know for sure from experience that my Volt with snow tires is better than AWD with all season tires.
Appreciate the info, IMO, tires are as important as 4-wheel drive. More bad news for Ford, apparently many customers have walked away from their Mach-E & F-150 Lightning vehicles leaving them at the dealership. If true, prices will have to decline.
Interesting video as ever. We live in western France, which most of the time is warm and sunny. Occasionally we drive up into mountains French/Spanish boarder, so we tend to use snow chains when we hit snow.
I would say they are a lot cheaper, but tricky to install, but as we only use them once every couple of years, it is an OK compromise.
100% agree. Nokian are the best. You can have the best car in the world but if you cheap out on tires it won’t matter. I’ve recommended them for years. Make sure you take them off in the summer. They become a little too supple and cause more drag and wear than you want.
Nokian makes a great winter tire, but personally I have never needed winter tires. My Ram 1500 has the stock all weather tires on it and I have driven through 18 inches of snow with no problem. I drove my former Chevy Silverado through 24" of snow on all weather tires with no issues either although I did shift down to low range. Of course I have an accessory on my trucks that makes that possible - A Fisher snow plow.
Nice tune! Keep em coming!
thanks to you and Nokian for doing trucky things with your truck. I wish you could use a snow plow.
Any reasons you did not get 18" rims just for your winter driving?
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta tires on my Tesla Model 3. I have not done any testing about range, but range is ...umm... bad in the winter. Combo of heating and winter tires. They are steady on the road for 4 winters so far.
Great review video, very timely! And Wow, RESPECT to your wife! That was a hardcore road trip in the winter ice storm! Thanks for the very interesting video. I always wonder when talking about tires: how are they in terms of toxic UV inhibitor chemicals that are eradicating stream life? Thanks for all you do, and IAN!
Please update us on how the wear is affected by the 6500+ weight of the Lightning.
Wipers ‘skipping’: Have used a washer fluid (mfg’r Salem, Ore.) called 20/10 for the past 40 years that, seemingly, ‘lubricates’ the blades to give a smooth and streak-free sweep across the glass. Available at O’Reilly Auto. Get the concentrate for summer use and the winter mix separately. This is from Bill in Tsawwassen, BC.
Hi Bill - in this case it’s because we had just had the screen replaced and it isn’t coated :( - Nikki
@@transportevolved - if you ‘coat’ the glass, it will of course cause ‘beading’ (water droplets)… which I find terrible for night driving in the rain. 20/10 smooths the drops for clear vision. Personal choice.
In better weather, we find the opposite. Although the water beads, it streaks off the screen so quickly you don't even need wipers sometimes. I wonder if we're using different products? - Nikki.
@@transportevolved I had our EV's ceramic coated which included doing the glass. NOT the windscreen though for reason night driving in rain (where water beads will turn one pair of headlights into 20,000 little headlights). Tried Rainex once (and couldn't get that stuff off the windscreen fast enough; again.. night vision impaired by water beading on the glass). The ceramcs installer got my point. My friend likes 'beading' of raindrops on the screen; I personally hate it
Good video.
If you want this rando on the internet's suggestion I've been happy with the CrossClimate2s I got for my Bolt.
Here in Colorado it'll often go from 60f and sunny to 6f with a foot of snow on the ground and back within a few days so all season tires with good snow rating are helpful.
They were about $600 for all 4 at one of those member only big box stores.
I drive Denver to Pueblo and back a couple times a month. Including when it was well below 0F before Turkey day and Christmas and did fine.
The road noise is higher than the stock tires, but overall the Bolt is still quieter than my old Subaru.
I can't speak to any efficiency loss with them, I replaced the stock tires within a month of buying the Bolt, the previous owner had worn them down pretty much bald. I get 3-3.5mi/kWh highway and over 4 city in comfortable weather. My most recent trip to Denver I got 4 going there, and 3 coming back.
I pretty much don't slip unless I'm trying to, but that comes as much from years of experience driving in snow without traction control or even ABS in my old 'Roos as it does from the nice tires.
Love your show and your knowledge. My only concern is your stuffys are in your field of vision. A good stuffy parent would provide a bed on the back seat where they and the public are safer.
Because my seat is high and my truck hood long, It doesn’t affect my FOV - Nikki
Thus far or so far?
Should I move to or drive anywhere that snows hard every year, I will think of
Nokian Hakkapeliitta.
In Ireland a proper snow happens every so 4 - 10 years; but with this changing climate and weakening polar vortex, it could snow well into the summer and then disappear altogether. So...
But it's black Ice that's always a danger
🚙⚡🔋🔌
Hoping that automakers can realise that there's a demand for the perfect balance of Truck practicality and efficiency.
Full size as the only option no matter the fuel source simply limited the choice for vehicles that lasts for years to come in the used market.
A car that will the ultimate and Accessible workhorse for North Americans will be an EV or PHEV of the Ford Maverick, Ranger or something even smaller like the EV-Ranger of the 2000s; or whatever Dodge can do with the Chrysler Pacifica drivetrain.
Only God knows why Toyota simply didn't try making a Prius Truck PRIME. 😠
Snoooooow! 😃
Sorry, being in the UK I enjoy it too much on the rare occasions it occurs 😁. And decent winter tires feel like driving on damp tarmac.
Love the thorough info and journalistic integrity on this channel but please be a tad more careful about inaccurate information. 9:07 only endotherms (like mammals) feel the effects of wind chill, inanimate objects (like snow) certainly don't. Physics...
AWD gives more then just power, it gives better traction when accelerating. this is simply because instead of 2 tires trying to pull/push you along you got all 4 which doubles the amount of force you can apply before said tires start to slip.
tires help but it's really about the driver, if you drive like shit...well expect to be in the ditch or smacking into another vehicle.
Even if the traction in acceleration is better in an AWD the braking is the same as in a FWD or a RWD. Don’t get too over confident on the grip going foreward, you need to be able to break and stear without putting yourself or others at risk. On snow and ice AWD with winter tyres (preferably studded if possible).
So you have come over to the dark side, and now you are a truck person
Welcome to the club. Here is your card. You will now be expected to have or to own some of item of clothing with the brand name of Your truck somewhere.
As an alternate, it can be another form of merch. It could be a simple can koozie or coaster.
It is going to have to be a Ford or similar logo.
Your dues will be paying extra for everything. You know, tires, charging costs, licensing, insurance.
Don't worry. It comes with perks also.
You will meet new people who will befriend you once they know you own a truck.
Old acquaintances will seek you out and re-establish connections.
You now sit higher and can see ahead better during high traffic situations.
You no longer have to worry if you have enough room on trips for groceries or furniture.
You are able to tow 80 percent of things people need to put on a trailer.
Your own limitation is if you have a big enough truck.
Will, be expecting to see you at the next RV park or truck rally.
Enjoy your membership.
P. S. Ignore the looks and taunts from the truck haters, it is a truck thing, and they just don't get it.
I come across two types of truck owners: those who need a truck to carry stuff and those who think they are a ball magnifier. The latter usually have high clearance trucks with oversize ti(y)res and never get them (the truck) dirty.
So no museum piece Apple Mac's in the corner with this video then? You could have at least strapped one to the bonnet as a teleprompter.
Haha! - Nikki
You know that we don't have the sort of weather that you describe in the UK and that 'winter tyres' (spelling!) are not really a thing.
But did you make this episode just because you love saying 'Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUVs'? I just want to hear it with a Norfolk accent please
The wipers really sound like farts when skipping
I can't take anyone seriously who drives around wearing a beanie with fluffy toys on the dash.
Then you’re clearly missing out on some joy in life.
@@transportevolved I'm sorry. You aren't a dude. My apologies. I didn't know.